About Stephen Benedek
Biography
These days , I am driven to draw and paint I just know that I am driven, these days, to draw and paint. At one time, my preferred Sunday activities were sailing, and later, flying gliders, just occasionally delving into visual art. But for the last 20 years or more, since my early retirement from my "day job", my passion has been drawing and painting, mostly figurative , to try to express the beauty of humanity.
Frequently, I will paint my subject models engaged in an activity that they are passionate about; I often do dancers, musicians, acrobats, artists, moms with babies. etc. My preference is to show them participating in their art (I think motherhood is an art) and thus show a little bit about who they are , not just their physical appearance .
I paint the figure, and face, with a high degree of accuracy and realism. But I occasionally change the background, and sometimes other details, from the environment in which I photographed the model. This is to enhance the model's story, that is implied in the image. Of course , one can only say so much in a still image; so it must be left to the viewer to complete more of the model's story, according to his/her imagination .
Alternatively, at times , I will introduce an abstract background , or else place some abstract features into the background; splotches of color, or circles, or other geometric figures. Sometimes, there is no story line , other than the beauty of the subject herself.
I prefer to show humanity in a positive state of mind, happy and enjoying their activity , whatever that may be. There are very good reasons to rejoice and enjoy the act of living. I prefer my models to express that , in most of my my paintings.
My preferred medium is oil nowadays .It allows a layering technique ,using several layers of paint to achieve rich , vibrant colors. As well, it allows me to do corrections and modifications (always necessary, for me, with accurate figurative art), as the painting progresses. Also, oil colors are stable , they don't fade, or change, with time. I use only high quality paints , which should have excellent longevity.
I have no formal education, or degree in art. But I have taken many workshops and classes with excellent figurative artists, especially at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto, Canada, over the years. I also attend regular classes with a local group of visual artists, the Willowdale Group of Artists. That group also gives me the opportunity to show my works at various galleries, and other locations, in Toronto .
I would be pleased to answer any questions , and to receive feedback.
Steve
Frequently, I will paint my subject models engaged in an activity that they are passionate about; I often do dancers, musicians, acrobats, artists, moms with babies. etc. My preference is to show them participating in their art (I think motherhood is an art) and thus show a little bit about who they are , not just their physical appearance .
I paint the figure, and face, with a high degree of accuracy and realism. But I occasionally change the background, and sometimes other details, from the environment in which I photographed the model. This is to enhance the model's story, that is implied in the image. Of course , one can only say so much in a still image; so it must be left to the viewer to complete more of the model's story, according to his/her imagination .
Alternatively, at times , I will introduce an abstract background , or else place some abstract features into the background; splotches of color, or circles, or other geometric figures. Sometimes, there is no story line , other than the beauty of the subject herself.
I prefer to show humanity in a positive state of mind, happy and enjoying their activity , whatever that may be. There are very good reasons to rejoice and enjoy the act of living. I prefer my models to express that , in most of my my paintings.
My preferred medium is oil nowadays .It allows a layering technique ,using several layers of paint to achieve rich , vibrant colors. As well, it allows me to do corrections and modifications (always necessary, for me, with accurate figurative art), as the painting progresses. Also, oil colors are stable , they don't fade, or change, with time. I use only high quality paints , which should have excellent longevity.
I have no formal education, or degree in art. But I have taken many workshops and classes with excellent figurative artists, especially at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto, Canada, over the years. I also attend regular classes with a local group of visual artists, the Willowdale Group of Artists. That group also gives me the opportunity to show my works at various galleries, and other locations, in Toronto .
I would be pleased to answer any questions , and to receive feedback.
Steve
