Photopainting: the Art of Painting on Photographs

Arts & Activities, Nov, 2004 by Jerome J. Hausman

[PRINT] PHOTOPAINTING: The Art of Painting on Photographs (2002; $24.95), by James A. McKinnis. Watson-Guptill Publications, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003.

Oftentimes we think of painting on a blank surface. This is a book by a professional photographer who specializes in hand-coloring and photopainting. As the author observes: "One fundamental lesson I learned right away: photopainting makes you look at a photograph far more closely--the effects of light and how it affects shading, the shapes, the depth of the shadows, the nuances that otherwise are largely overlooked." Art teachers can think of this activity as a means to circumvent fixed attitudes about drawing in a naturalistic mode.

The book is organized around (1) materials and workspace; (2) the process of getting started; (3) more techniques: finessing your image; and exploring new approaches: letting your imagination reign. The orientation is that of a commercial artist. Great detail is given as to techniques and materials (papers, paints, brushes and workspace). Art teachers reading this publication may well go beyond its content to explore means by which students can alter or superimpose new imagery in the photopainting that their students do.--J.J.H. For information about this publication, circle No. 392 on the Reader Service Card.