Painterly rendering techniques: A state-of-the-art review of current approaches

In this publication we will look at the different methods presented over the past few decades which attempt to recreate digital paintings. While previous surveys concentrate on the broader subject of non-photorealistic rendering, the focus of this paper is firmly placed on painterly rendering techniques. We compare different methods used to produce different output painting styles such as abstract, colour pencil, watercolour, oriental, oil and pastel. Whereas some methods demand a high level of interaction using a skilled artist, others require simple parameters provided by a user with little or no artistic experience. Many methods attempt to provide more automation with the use of varying forms of reference data. This reference data can range from still photographs, video, 3D polygonal meshes or even 3D point clouds. The techniques presented here endeavour to provide tools and styles that are not traditionally available to an artist. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Henri Matisse’s Ecrits et propos sur l’art. A phenomenological inquiry on nature, feeling and origin

Through a phenomenological reading of Henri Matisse’s Ecrits et propos sur l’art the paper analyzes in their mutual connection the themes of nature, feeling and origin in relation to the Artist’s works (in particular the ones of the Fauvist period) and to his own reflection on art. Interpreting nature through feeling is something more than a solipsistic glance on reality linked to private emotions, it is, according to M. Merleau-Ponty’s theory of perception and expression, a way to create symbols of the living unity of consciousness and the external world. In conclusion, the paper shows the theme of the origin as Matisse’s pictorial way to meditate on the possibility of artistic creation in its necessary connection with the experience of the lifeworld. The constitutive ground of the lifeworld can only be represented into the effort of pure colors and arabesque to show a meditation on the temporal dimension of the origin in which a new disclosing sense can be expressed

An Analysis on the Function of Self-Communication of Traditional Chinese Painting

It is widely accepted that the features of traditional Chinese painting (Guo hua) spontaneously resulted from traditional Chinese culture and philosophy, especially Taoism which emphasizes emptiness. The author of this article argues that in additional to historical and philosophical bases, Chinese artists’ motivation and pressure they conform should be taken into consideration in terms of analyzing the function and characteristics of traditional Chinese painting. Basically, it is Chinese artists’ motivation to build a barrier between viewers and themselves (self-communication) that partly contributes to the unique strategies and skills that shape the style of Chinese painting. The clue of self-communication can be clearly seen by analyzing the principles of traditional Chinese painting, which includes blurred representation, harmony and self-closure. Correspondingly, major painting techniques, namely, simplicity, emptiness and Chinese character (calligraphy related), were developed to achieve that goal of self-communication. The self-communication of traditional Chinese painting also leads to other consequences that have influenced western painting

Recreating East Asia creatures that exist in mythology as RPG fantasy characters

Today, MMORPG Games (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) are one of the most popular games in the PC online game genre because users can enjoy the game with other players. They can also choose their own characters and control the character`s avatar. Wide selection of characters available is one of the most important elements in the game. These characters have to be well-designed to draw the user`s attention. These characters, which appear in fantasy MMORPG (World of War craft), and their special features originate from Western myths and ancient stories. Likewise, East Asian has a long history with many myths and ancient stories. Creatures appear in these stories that have interesting features similar to Western creatures. After realizing the unique and interesting features of the creatures in East Asian myths, led to the idea of creating them as MMORPG characters For this project, Dokkebie (Pa-in Folk painting Research Institute) and Haetae, which are creatures that appear in Korea myths, were chosen because of their special and interesting elements that can be implemented as MMORPG characters. Dokkebie has a huge body, big canine teeth and a horn on the head in addition to similar features to humans. Haetae has the same form of a lion, skin of a fish, and two horns like a giraffe. In this project, their special features were recreated as important parts of the characters. The following thesis report is about the technical and artistic process of making these characters. For this project, characters that exist in East Asia myths and tales were created as MMORPG characters

My Exploration of Treasures from the Mind of David Park

My honors thesis, “My Exploration of Treasures from the Mind of David Park” draws attention to communicate my sense of the female figure to the viewer, while taking particular gestures from the figures of the Bay Area painter David Park’s work. I seek to convey how the self or essence of being can appear on canvas. David Park resonated with me because of his eye for exceptional color combinations, physicality he builds with substance on canvas, use of bold mark-making and simplicity of forms. I am manipulating David Park’s representations of figures and making my own compositions, applying drybrush, oil sticks, silicon scraper, and large washes. The purpose of this concept is to stimulate my creative process and focus on color relationships. David Park taught me to be confident with my brushstrokes and influenced me to generate more compelling compositions through gesture and placement of my figures. My thesis work includes two large oil paintings on canvas along with two smaller oil paintings which helped me develop my imagery, colors, and ideas

The iconography of the Thousand and one nights and modernity: from text to image

Whereas in the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century the Thousand and one Nights contributed relatively little to the European iconography of Orientalism, at the end of the nineteenth century the number of illustrated translations, anthologies and reworkings increased, due to improved printing techniques and the gradual amalgamation of Orientalist and modernist trends in art. A new imagery was developed that not only incorporated visions of the Orient, but Oriental aesthetics as well, thus integrating Oriental styles into modernist art. This development is illustrated by the example of Edmund Dulac, one of the most prominent illustrators of the Nights. Moreover, the convergence of these trends resulted in a more autonomous function of the imagery of the Thousand and one Nights: it was no longer subservient to the narrative, but rather came to dominate the perception of the stories

An Investigation of Architectural Heritage Design Features On the Formation of Architectural Identity through Globalization

Purpose: This research project investigated the formation of the architectural heritage identity in Damascus within the context of globalization by analyzing the architectural principles of Damascus's prevailing architecture in the contemporary era. The research aims to identify the impact of globalization on the formation of heritage identity in terms of design and characteristics. Design/methodology/approach: The research project used studio practice method through studio experimentation and contextual approaches to investigates how architectural heritage contributes and creates the obsession, emotion, aspiration and belief of urban society towards shaping lifestyle in a contemporary culture. Findings: The research project has been successful in examining how globalization technology and the ability of its modern materials have influenced the representation of heritage elements to create a unique heritage architectural identity adapted to the surrounding space and place. Practical implications: The research contributed to raising the awareness of the community to enhance its appreciation of cultural heritage values, and also contribute to highlighting the pursuit of maximum benefit from all aspects of technological development in the architectural work to find new elements for architectural shape that match the new urban societies. Originality/value: This paper is original. Paper type: a Research Paper