John Reidy: Oil

John Reidy is an accomplished artist who has been drawing ever since he could hold a pencil. He showed at an early age his love and talent for drawing. Through his early school years he was always busy (maybe too busy) drawing those things that held his interest, animals, monsters, religious scenes and portraits. He often entertained his family and friends with his caricatures, comics and more serious portraits. John began his formal instruction at the age of 13 with Jay O’Meilia from the Frank Reilly School with the New York Art Students League. He worked in Jay’s studio for 5 years, where he learned the discipline, fundamentals, color and how to think as an artist

My goal in portraiture is simple.

I strive to capture what the eye sees in our real world and display it in a meaningful and pleasing fashion. Each painting demonstrates the ideals of the art of the portrait in a classic manner.

That is to say, each painting shows the viewer a physical likeness of the subject(s) but also the artistic goals of a piece of fine art - hue, chroma, value, treatment of edges, a compelling composition and a recognizable style.

Some may be tempted to compare it to a photograph. This is not the case. Photography is limited in its value scale and is not a reliable source for accurate color. I strive to demonstrate accurate color and values.

Additionally I employ time honored techniques to “fool the eye” into seeing three dimensions on a two dimensional plane. I push some areas into the background and draw others into the foreground, even on the facial planes. If a cheek is turned away from the viewer I will probably soften the edge and lower the chroma. When compared to the rest of the face this cheek appears to be further back than the rest of the face.

This philosophy of painting is hundreds of years old and was out of favor for most of the 20th century to the point that it became difficult to find good teachers who still employed the ways of the masters. It has taken a lifetime to learn and hone my craft and I continue to find that I am just an artist striving to find my way the way like so many before did but I love the journey.