Silly argument about paintings

[lcarus]

I am at work today and I was talking to my co-worker about "The Scream", which sold at an auction for nearly 120 million dollars. Anyway, I referred to it as a painting, and he quickly corrected me "IT'S NOT A PAINTING, IT'S A PASTEL!". Which is correct, it is a pastel. But isn't a pastel still a painting? I looked up "painting" and it says Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface (support base).

I also found a billion videos of artists using pastel crayons (or whatever they're called) and referring to their work as "paintings" like this one for example


So no, it isn't a painting in the literal sense that it was painted with paint and a brush, but is it still wrong to refer to it as a painting?

[JD10367]

Whether a "pastel" is a "painting" is a moot point. They're both "art", and that can be anything from the Mona Lisa to a dude who plops a crucifix into a jar of piss. Art is subjective. It's painting, drawing, sculpting, kinetic, macaroni glued on construction paper, architecture, whatever the **** you want it to be. IIRC the Mona Lisa is painted on a wood board. Some of Rembrandt's most expensive works are tiny pencil sketches. A one-sheet poster for the original "Frankenstein" movie is a giant lithograph done with machinery, and yet some consider it "art" enough to make it a million-dollar poster. Some of the most expensive modern "art" is indeed actual painting, but it's nothing more than a red circle with a yellow line through it (which some stuffed-shirt will tell you encompasses "man's insignificance" or some other total bullshit).

Hell, personally I expand the definition to include objects constructed for films, such as the sci-fi props sold on the TV auction show "Hollywood Treasures"; if a master craftsman sculpts a monster, and it's a one-of-a-kind, and it's used in a film, why isn't that "art" any more than the Mona Lisa?

[stevieray]

painted pony
warpaint
paint the town
let me paint you a picture

painting is art....the medium or form of application is irrelevant.

[boogblaster]

looks like a 3rd grader painted it .....

[SilentHell]

Just got off the phone with the Pastel Society of America. I also just spoke with the president of the International Association of Pastel Societies. I know, I took this too far. Here is what they both said almost word for word.

"The medium does not matter. It is still a painting. If the work covers the whole canvas, which The Scream does, then it is a painting. Ask your friend if he applies oil paint to a canvas with an exacto knife if it is still called a painting, or is it a knifing? The pigment that is in Pastels is the exact same as the pigment in oil paintings. If a pigment is being applied to a surface, it is considered a painting, no matter the medium, wet or dry, hard or soft."

I think that is pretty much case closed. She also went on to say that it is not wrong to call it just a "Pastel", but to say it is not a painting is wrong.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by SilentHell

Just got off the phone with the Pastel Society of America. I also just spoke with the president of the International Association of Pastel Societies. I know, I took this too far. Here is what they both said almost word for word.

"The medium does not matter. It is still a painting. If the work covers the whole canvas, which The Scream does, then it is a painting. Ask your friend if he applies oil paint to a canvas with an exacto knife if it is still called a painting, or is it a knifing? The pigment that is in Pastels is the exact same as the pigment in oil paintings. If a pigment is being applied to a surface, it is considered a painting, no matter the medium, wet or dry, hard or soft."

I think that is pretty much case closed. She also went on to say that it is not wrong to call it just a "Pastel", but to say it is not a painting is wrong.

So what's it called if the work doesn't cover the whole canvas? Call her back if you have to.

[L.A. Chieffan]

So, whos your guy's favorite artist?

[Lumpy]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

So, whos your guy's favorite artist?

Norman Rockwell

[Thig Lyfe]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

So, whos your guy's favorite artist?

Mr. Brainwash

[SilentHell]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

So what's it called if the work doesn't cover the whole canvas? Call her back if you have to.

She said if the majority of the canvas is not covered, it is a drawing or sketch. Like if 50% of the canvas is showing and there is only like an outline or doodle in the middle, then it is a drawing or sketch. In case of "The Scream", it is a Pastel Painting. She said 99% of the Pastel Societies in America, which she is in charge of, will all agree that is true.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

So, whos your guy's favorite artist?

On the famous ones, it's hard to argue against Monet. His works are far more impressive in person than on a computer. Van Gogh has a great style, but I can't even figure out how Monet makes his stuff.

On a more affordable level, I have one of this guy's paintings and really like his style: https://artonawhim.com/artistcategor...D=TFX&selCat=0

Ours looks a lot like this, but it's a different mountain range. I would classify it as a painting.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by SilentHell

She said if the majority of the canvas is not covered, it is a drawing or sketch. Like if 50% of the canvas is showing and there is only like an outline or doodle in the middle, then it is a drawing or sketch. In case of "The Scream", it is a Pastel Painting. She said 99% of the Pastel Societies in America, which she is in charge of, will all agree that is true.

Yeah now that I've conclusively won this debate, he's attacking my intellect.

[vailpass]

Cut off his ear.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

On the famous ones, it's hard to argue against Monet. His works are far more impressive in person than on a computer. Van Gogh has a great style, but I can't even figure out how Monet makes his stuff.

On a more affordable level, I have one of this guy's paintings and really like his style: https://artonawhim.com/artistcategor...D=TFX&selCat=0

Ours looks a lot like this, but it's a different mountain range. I would classify it as a painting.

I agree-If you get a chance-see the Water Lillies set. It is amazing!!! They also had stuff on the computer that showed the different stages of it-very cool!! When you step back and let your mind drift-it really blends and tricks your mind that you are looking at Real water.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

So, whos your guy's favorite artist?

Winslow Homer. Did amazing work. He is very under rated.

[stonedstooge]

Starry Starry night
Pastel your palette blue and grey
Look out on a Summers day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul

Doesn't seem to work