kimono Paintography by Michael Critchley
For my wonderful wife Francine, without whose support and encouragement, this book could never have happened.
KIMONO The design, photography and paintography in this book are Copyright Š 2009 by the author Michael Critchley. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any mechanical or electronic means without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Photography: Michael Critchley Paintography: Michael Critchley Design: Michael Critchley Distributed by blurb.com
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About the Artist Art has been a part of my life for as far back as I can remember. Much of that influence and appreciation of art is definitely genetically attributed to my parents who were artists in their own right. They taught and shared their creativity with so many art students, including myself, and I feel privileged to have had their tutelage and guidance. The form of art I create, which I like to call paintography, is a unique blend of digital painting and photography. By using various computer software, filters and custom defined brushes that vary in size and texture, percentage of coverage and pressure, I transform my photographs into ‘paintographs’. The ‘art’ is in knowing which techniques to use to create the mood by change and variance, to be subtle and gentle, to be evocative and emotive, to know when to stop and go to bed before burn-out sets in!
As a teenager, I recall, many of our annual summer holidays were purposefully planned around a mix of culture and the most scenic routes throughout Europe. Inevitably this had to include many an hour or so wandering around quaint villages, towns with Gothic cathedrals and art galleries. With cameras around our necks, pockets bulging with rolls of film and sketch-pads to hand, we were ready to capture the moment. My father, ‘Hal’, better known as Harold William Critchley, introduced the world of photography to me. He was an inspiration to me as well as the motivator and director of my artistic development. My first camera which he purchased for me, was a Yashica twin lens reflex 6x6. At least three evenings per week and Saturday mornings were occupied with photography classes where I learnt the fundamental techniques of developing and printing. My limited budget meant B/W film was all I could afford, but eventually my knowledge and experience advanced to a 35mm Pentax (birthday present from ‘Hal’) when Kodachrome and colour film came into my life. During my late teens I was able to attend the same art college where ‘Hal’ was Head of Department. His passion for art was contagious and our forays abroad continued to expand my photojournalism. After three years at The London College of Printing and a BA in graphic design I was ready to take on the world. And so began my journey to where, and who, I am today. Michael Critchley
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kimono Kimono was inspired by the delicacy and sensuality of the fabric. I wanted the camera to capture the translucency, the fluidity of the material as it moved and shimmered.
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KIMONO
the Revealing
Kimono is about a whirlwind of movement and mystery, illusive and teasing.
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The synergy of painting and photography has become more energetic and vibrant, almost frenzied.
KIMONO unleashed Technically, the choice of the medium is determined by the mood of the photograph. From a single photograph, multiple paintographs can be created – each one is valid but the art is being able to find those which capture the essence of the moment and so stimulate the imagination and emotion.
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Emotively, the illustration has a dramatic mood change. Kimono here is serene and delicate, vulnerable and still. Sometimes I’m not prepared for the visual impact my digital art throws at me and it can be breathtakingly beautiful.
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KIMONO’s
EMBRACE
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KIMONO REVEALS From a single photograph, multiple paintographs can be created – each one is valid but the art is being able to find those which capture the essence of the moment and so stimulate the imagination and emotion. 45...
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KIMONO REVEALS
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KIMONO the Moment My objective in this series of four was to create a softer, less defined image, free of exacting lines and texture.
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KIMONO DISSOLVES In a breath of tranquility the mood changes to pensive expression, a gentleness and
whispering in both the pose and the fragmentation of colour and artistic expression.
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For more information about purchasing any prints from this series or my other books, please visit my web site at: www.paintography.me