Contemporary Masters: Jove Wang

Holiday in Venice (oil) by Jove Wang

My recent post on why painting landscapes can improve your portrait painting prompted me to look at the works of some of my favorite contemporary masters who seem to have the profound gift of saying so much with a few brushstrokes. One of these masters is American artist Jove Wang. 

I often refer to the pursuit of lights and darks and simplification of a subject to get at the essence of the subject. Everyday scenes that we could so easily walk past without a second glance can be transformed with a sensitive eye for colour, values and design. I personally believe that Jove Wang is one of those rare artists who can combine all these elements together with deep and generous brushwork that seems to radiate colour, light and texture. Whether viewed from a distance or up close you will get pleasure from the combination of skills and insight Jove puts into his work. It is not photo realism and it is not abstraction yet, to my mind, it is life that is communicated in each of these paintings. Have a look at the artist's paintings of landscapes, portraits and figure studies at his website.

There is also an interesting video below showing Jove Wang painting outdoors. Note the bold start to the painting as darks get laid in quickly, shapes are simplified and brush strokes are kept large. The artist stands well back from his canvas, almost fencing with his brush, to avoid getting bogged down in little details.

Jove Wang's paintings remind me to relax and give in to generous painting. The more you give the you receive back. Very much like all things in life.