Name That Artist

[Jay_Jay]

Who was the artist who usually depicted well-heeled couples on a beach and looked as though they had brought their butler along with them ?

[jno]

Jack Vettriano?

http://www.jackvettriano.eu/index.htm

[kempie]

Or do you mean the author of "The Illustrator's Figure Reference Manual", the handbook from which Vettriano copied figures in the production of some of his works, including "The Singing Butler"?

[Hard@it]

Kempie - the man has never denied the point you are making, and every one has copied something in their life. the difference being in this instance he did allright out of it.
What's wrong if you enjoy his style and subsequent works, I do ! Cheers Hard@it

[jno]

agreed, Hard@it: he's always acknowledged being self-taught. Some students go into the National Gallery to learn by copying; Vettriano did the same at home. If you don't like his work, fine, but he shouldn't be booed for the way he acquired his skills.

[kempie]

I'm a philistine.

I believe in function over form; substance over style.

I boo all artists, especially those who command �750,000 for placing pigment on canvas, no matter if the subject originates in their mind or a reference book.

[jno]

anything I enjoy looking at is useful, because it cheers me up. I can't quite manage �750,000 (or �750, for that matter), but his prints are widely and cheaply available.

I'm not quite clear why you'd boo a commercially successful artist more than an unsuccessful one, though; why would that be a distinction worth making if you don't like art anyway?

[kempie]

...because it perpetuates the creed which underpins commercial art...

"Art for art's sake. Money for God's sake."

A couple of quid for materials. A few hours of graft. Resulting pretty picture (at this point I will deliberately stay clear of conceptual art) - "That'll be �100,000 thank you".

And it hangs on a wall.

I just do not understand its monetary worth.


Likewise I hold a modicum of contempt for those f�ted for striking a ball or pretending to be somebody else on screen (at this point I will deliberately stay clear of 'celebrities' with no discernible talent); more for those who receive millions to do such; and most for those doing the f�ting.

All of this while simultaneously those with a talent for something which I deem useful, i.e. laying courses of bricks straight, level and even, will never see returns of such magnitude in terms of finance nor appreciation.

"Workers of the world, unite!" ;-)

[Hard@it]

The man was a coal miner and did in fact paint the pictures, what about still life I don't hear anyone saying bunches of grapes or apples shouldn't be copied, or there should be no sitters for portraits.
Too much info Jay - Jay ?

[jno]

supply and demand, kempie... lots of people can lay bricks, and there is comparatively little scope for doing it very much better than anyone else. If there was a Michelangelo of brickwork, how could you tell? But if you could, chances are he'd charge a lot more than other bricklayers, and get it, because people will always want the best they can afford and some people can afford a lot.

erm, hope we've actually given you the right answer, Jay_Jay

[kempie]

I'm not seeking the Michaelangelo of brickies. Especially not to reward with untold riches - that is my point.

In my Utopia I would like those "lots of people [who] can lay bricks", who do so in such a manner that the useful end product is structurally sound (substance over style, remember), to share the plaudits and wealth that would otherwise be lavished upon aforementioned Brickmeister. This is because my criterion of "house not fall down" as opposed to "house look pretty" is more easily quantifiable and does not mark out Michaelangelo for special consideration...

"A Mikey-built house doesn't fall down much better than anyone else's house doesn't fall down. We must put him on a pedestal" (all sarcasm is for effect only!)

But back in the real world, people are people.
<Pipe dream over>

This is now soooo far off topic that I must offer my profuse apologies.

[Jay_Jay]

Jack Vettriano, was it ? Hey, I'd almost forgotten the question ! Thanks, people.

[B00]

And can you all stop boo-ing? It's very confusing! :-(