The Self Portrait
Welcome back to the “Studying the Artist” series. Today we are looking at Johannes Vermeer’s art techniques and ways you can start on your realism journey.
Johannes Vermeer, a famous Dutch artist from the Golden Age, is known for his works like the View of Delft and Little Street. His inspirations came from where he grew up, and that really shaped his life and career as a painter, and sometimes worked in graphite. Scholars believe that Vermeer was a major inspiration for Rembrandt, as evident in his later paintings.
Vermeer’s main subject
Johannes Vermeer was all about realistic stuff, as you can see in most of his paintings. His works were super cool and mysterious, unlike other artists who always painted themselves. Vermeer was more into painting stuff and scenes that let people think and imagine. And guess what? He didn’t have any stories in his paintings either. He wanted people to focus on the present moment and let their own stories come to life in their minds. He wanted people to focus on the present and let their minds create their own stories. Vermeer’s works revolve around dimension and space. He mastered using color to create realistic images that resemble camera-taken photos, all achieved with a paintbrush and the right colors.
The Milkmaid - 1658
Using The MilkMaid Artwork Examples
The Milkmaid stands before a rough, white-plastered wall, pouring milk into a bowl with dignity and wholesomeness. Her steady gaze as she measures the milk conveys purpose. Vermeer’s painting portrays her as strong and powerful, with the window’s lines emphasizing her gesture’s importance. Vermeer’s mastery of light creates diverse emotions in his paintings. Vermeer was a genius at using light to make his paintings come alive. In this one, he used the light on the back wall to make the figure pop. He made the milkmaid’s right shoulder bright yellow and the back of her left shoulder dark. Then, he drew a white line around her shoulder to make her stand out.
How can you start your journey in realism like Vermeer ?
To get into realism art, start by building a solid foundation. Practice drawing accurately, learn about values (light and dark), and master blending and shading techniques. Also, pay attention to details and textures. I suggest starting with graphite artwork first before doing paints and practice still life !
The Astronomer - 1668 Johannes Vermeer
(This can work with traditional drawing as well !)
1. Understanding Vermeer's Style:
• Genre Scenes:
Vermeer was a master of capturing the everyday moments of life, from cozy domestic scenes to solitary figures.
• Subtle Color Palette:
He loved soft tones, with bright blues and yellows, making everything feel cozy and real.
• Light and Shadow:
Vermeer’s mastery of light is truly magical! He can make windows dance and illuminate his subjects in the most enchanting ways.
• Meticulous Detail:
His paintings are like little masterpieces, with every stroke so precise and beautiful.
• Underpainting:
Vermeer had a unique way of painting called “dead-coloring” or underpainting. It’s like a secret trick he used to build the foundation of his paintings, and it’s not really done anymore.
• Working-Up:
He created his paintings like a master sculptor, adding layers and brushstrokes to bring textures and light to life.
• Glazing:
Vermeer was a master of glazes, using thin layers of paint to create a magical glow in his paintings.
2. Emulating Vermeer's Techniques:
• Underpainting:
Try the “dead-coloring” technique! Paint a whole canvas in one color before adding any other colors or details.
• Light and Shadow:
Pay close attention to how light plays tricks on your subject and how shadows dance around.
• Brushwork:
Get creative and experiment with different brushstrokes and techniques to bring textures and details to life!
• Glazing:
Use glazes to add depth and luminosity to your paintings, like a magical glow-in-the-dark effect!
• Patience and Precision:
Vermeer was a master of patience and precision, so let’s take our time and enjoy the process !
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3. Additional Tips:
• Study Vermeer's Paintings: Analyze his paintings closely, paying attention to his use of light, color, and brushwork.
• Practice: The more you practice, the better you will become at replicating Vermeer's techniques.
• Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques and materials.
• Find Inspiration: Look for inspiration in everyday life and in the works of other artists
Don't try to tackle complex subjects right away.
Focus on one area at a time: Don't try to learn everything at once. Be patient and persistent: It takes time and effort to develop realistic drawing skills. :D
Here’s my digital art version of Vermeer’s Girl With The Pearl Earring.
Sources : https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2009/vermeer https://www.johannesvermeer.org https://www.essentialvermeer.com/fakes_thefts_school_of_delft_lost_sp/lost_self_portrait.html#:~:text=According%20to%20costume%20experts%20at,here%20to%20see%20comparative%20images).
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