by VicG » Sun Aug 25, 2013 5:34 pm
The medium is only just that, a medium as a means of expression. A mediocre artist painting in either medium will still produce a mediocre painting. An exceptional painter, painting in either medium will produce an exceptional work.
My point is that an exceptional painter will achieve a higher level of quality by painting with oils. It is about the materials. Paint has a quality, canvas has a quality, (cheap cotton or an expensive linen) even the brushes you use will show a quality.
There is a painter I admire that paints with acrylics named David Hockney. There is another who paints with oils named Francis Bacon. Compare the quality of their paint. You have to view their painting in person to appreciate the difference.
I am trying to contribute what many artists were never taught or understood, that is "paint." Ultimately with any great painting the artist was acutely aware of his medium. Look at the late paintings of Balthus who added marble dust to his oils to create a delicate, tactile surface or the paintings of Fairfield Porter who incorporated the "Maroger" medium which gave his paintings their distinct surface qualities.
I am a fine artist and I am not impressed with facile renderings regardless of medium. One fundamental standard I judge a painting by is its paint quality. This is but one of many standard and I don't mean to over emphasise it but it is the subject of this discussion.
ehoeveler, thank you for your comment, I am new here and just testing the waters.
