How small is thy detail?

[Minibrush]

First, hooray for the Miniature Forum. A longtime wish fulfilled. Thanks to all who made this possible. I will enjoy and anticipate every word and post.

I and many others have wondered just how detailed should miniatures be? Should we use a magnifier?

I still don't have the ultimate answer... but I can tell you that the judge in the MASF show used a jeweler's lupe (pretty strong magnification) to view the paintings. Many judges look not only for detail, but for tiny brushstrokes without raised strokes, and other fine details.

Some fine miniatures reveal tiny figures in the distance or other details, only seen through magnification.

As with most standards in the miniature world of fine art, it varies from show to show, society to society, artist to artist. These are just some examples.

Minibrush

[champagneharley]

Thank you very much for this insight. Especiallly re the judging.
I don't currently use a magnifier.
Regards,
Jillian

[Asterea]

Thank you mini, that is interesting,
I had an odd problem once, client actually wasnt sure
I had sent her a real painting, claimed she couldnt see the
brushstrokes, I told her to get out a magnifying
glass and look really close, and I sent her a copy of
the picture I painted from. Now I worry about it
everytime I sell one because sometimes when
I am done , and it is dry, I cant even see my own
brushstrokes even with a glass. What the
heck do you do about that ?

[champagneharley]

Thank you mini, that is interesting,
I had an odd problem once, client actually wasnt sure
I had sent her a real painting, claimed she couldnt see the
brushstrokes, I told her to get out a magnifying
glass and look really close, and I sent her a copy of
the picture I painted from. Now I worry about it
everytime I sell one because sometimes when
I am done , and it is dry, I cant even see my own
brushstrokes even with a glass. What the
heck do you do about that ?
This is 'good' :D :D :D
I got a BARGAIN at a 2nd hand store, by picking up a miniature work over 100 years old for just $10 (including frame) - they thought it was a cut out from a Xmas card! *evil* lucky, lucky me!
Regards,
Jillian

[Asterea]

Oh Jillian you did get lucky!!!! Thats amazing hahaha

[numbat]

Hear, Hear, Minibrush - A Miniature Forum at last! Thank you WC! Wonderful. :clap::clap::clap:

And so many great posts already. So much to learn .... such as the insight you have shared.

Now to actually get on to do some minatures to post. :D

[wayfarer]

I thought about this doing this miniature painting. To an average buyer, the sheep in the distance are just dots of white, but the imagination fills in the rest. Since I'm creating my miniatures for the general public and have not followed the juried competition route, I'm looking more toward a painterly type of approach.

The idea of a judge studying my work so closely has me nervous. Excuse my ignorance, but if the painting convenes the message, why the scrutiny?

Chris

[Asterea]

Chris , minibrush can probably tell you much more then I can
but it is my understanding that show quality miniatures must look as good under magnification as they do to the naked eye.

As minibrush has said the brushstrokes need to be very very tiny, there are a lot of qualifications right down to the framing for show quality miniature art.

Much of what you see being sold as miniatures would not qualify as show type miniature art.

Why the scrutiny? Well, ... every medium, genre , has its own history and its own set of qualifiers. Plein air is not plein air if it is painted from a photo instead of from life. That is what makes it plein air .

Minature art is no differant, it has its own history too, the size qualifications and small brushstrokes, and miniaturization of the subject matter are what make it a miniature in the first place.If it didnt, it would just be small format art I suppose.

If you are never planning to show the work, then why does it matter?
The only reason I know of that it would matter, is because there are many seriouse collectors of miniature art. The real collector knows the differance between a small format piece of art and a miniature.

The general public probably doesnt know the differance, and may not care.

Thats my storey and I'm sticken to it LOL. If you are just having fun with them that is great and none of it matters at all !!
:D :D :D

[champagneharley]

I thought about this doing this miniature painting. To an average buyer, the sheep in the distance are just dots of white, but the imagination fills in the rest. Since I'm creating my miniatures for the general public and have not followed the juried competition route, I'm looking more toward a painterly type of approach.

The idea of a judge studying my work so closely has me nervous. Excuse my ignorance, but if the painting convenes the message, why the scrutiny?

Chris
After reading this on the Hilliard Site...
http://www.art-in-miniature.org/whatmin.htm
It seems the reason why ... is that it is NOT size that constitues a 'miniature' but the technique. That is why the scrutiny for 'miniature' SHOWS.
I know I don't do mine in enough detail. I do mine mostly to sell, and don't want to spend the time on them that fine detail would take. So I'm of the opinion to do what suits you! (Unless doing a show, then would probably have to comply to their standards, which can differ.) I can't be bothered using a magnifier, even though I have a jewellers headwear one. My large paintings have MORE fine detail in them than my miniatures sometimes.
Regards,
Jillian