“There is a natural distortion that occurs in every painting. Very few paintings are accurate to what we see with our eyes verses what the camera records. … a painter is looking to create a piece to communicate beyond a mere record … expression goes beyond accuracy.
“We tolerate inaccuracies in paintings because of two reasons. One, we simply know it’s not a technical reproduction; second, we accept that the painter is telling us something as an expression. Paintings are not poor excuses for a lack of a camera.”
Gregory Manchess, “10 Things…Painting Portraits” on Muddy Colors 22 April 2020
The skills for painting realism are not the pinnacle, they’re base camp supplies.
