Saturday, August 20, 2011

Pavement painter


I always wonder how these painters manage to get the "big picture" with the right proportions while working so close to their subject. Then I think of Michelangelo and the ceiling of the Sistine chapel and... well I realize it was pretty much the same, only the other way around. Anyway I love this photo (and yes the dog has a lot to do with it!). FYI, I took it at Beaubourg.

16 comments:

  1. The dog looks like he knows the routine. A very soulful scene.

    Have a great weekend, Eric.

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  2. I am always amazed at how painters seem to get their proportions right on target. If it were me sitting there I shudder to think what that picture would have looked like

    A dog doesn't go far from his master. He's happy if his owner is happy!

    Kris

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  3. I'm always impressed with these artists—and you've captured this one perfectly! The dog definitely adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the composition. :~}

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  4. Love the photo with the relaxed dog. I am suprised the painting doesn't smear with him working in the center (chalk?). Looking for ideas of a nice budget friendly hotel in the heart of Paris - let me know if anyone has ideas for this fall. Post or email to my hotmail account at mplslovesparis. Thanks PDPers.

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  5. It would be great to just sit and watch this unfold. Excellent photo.

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  6. I wonder the same, Eric! How clever these people are.
    The dog's position mirrors his master's! If only I could get our puppy to behave as well... sigh... ;)

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  7. That sweet dog looks like a tie clip! What a neat photo! Thank you, Eric! :o)

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  8. Even if the motif isn't very original it's impressive how it's done. Love the little dog :-)

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  9. That is so cute! The dog is just adorable. And you're right, the proportions on a painting this big would be difficult, unless you did it every day. Bonjour!

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  10. Great shot, I think your photo is better than his drawing.
    I suppose the grid of the paving slabs makes it a bit easier in this instance.

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  11. One of my favorite Chiostri postcards has a grid of squares penciled over it and I have other cards as well like that. Seems it was a common technique for an aspiring artist to teach himself how to draw, keep perspective and size ratios?? Imagine this artist has his own mini-pic with a grid overlay too. But...the dog! Best part of the pic:) Thanks again,Eric, for starting my morning with a special piece of Paris.

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  12. I love the little dog as well. So cute.

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  13. pavement painters plays a vital role in changing the cities because they can easily change a bad place into good one by using their painting skills.

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  14. My partner and I were there 3 weeks ago and took a photo of the finished product! Please take me back - so far from Australia! :(

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  15. My artist/musician husband once told me how they do this (including Michelangelo): they use a series of dots to create a grid and have usually sketched out a line drawing on a small grid, then work square by square (or maybe in this guy's case, rectangle by rectangle, as he could use the sidewalk cracks as his grid) filling in a portion of the whole in proportion. But, I'm sure you knew this :-). I vote for this one to make it into the color calendar. The pooped pup is priceless. Wonderful capture!
    -Kim

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  16. Eric, I haven't visited your blog in a while but since I'm updating mine again lately I thought I'd take a trip around the world...this is a wonderful photograph!

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