Chuck Close Analysis
Chuck Close is an American painter/artist and photographer who achieved fame through his massive scale portraits. “The worst possible thing in the world can happen to you, and you will overcome it. You will be happy again.” - Chuck Close. Close was born on July 5th, 1940 in Monroe Washington. The age 11 was a major downfall in his life as his father died, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and Close himself got an infection in his kidney landing him in bed for almost a year. As a child Close suffered from a neuromuscular condition that made it difficult to lift his feet. As in school, he did poorly because he suffered from dyslexia. The only thing he was particularly good at in school was art. At the age of 14, Close went with his
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Close puts a grid on the photo and canvas and goes through square by square. He fills each square with roughly executed choices of color, once you step back you’ll see the whole portrait coming together. One of the main things he does in his paintings are taking the photo how the are. No makeup, no brushed hair, just you. He paints on every imperfection to make it, well, “perfection”.
Close suffered a seizure that left him paralyzed from the neck down. The cause was diagnosed as a spinal artery collapse. This delayed his work for quite some time. For months he was in rehab strengthening his muscles with physical therapy. He soon had very little movement in his arms and could walk, but only a few steps at a time. He has been in a wheelchair ever since. He refused to give up, so he painted with the brush strapped to his wrist with tape. He hasn’t let the seizure stop him from what he loves.
Chuck Close is an amazing example of a great artist. He is an inspiration to millions. His legacy being drawing realism portraits beautifully. Chuck Close never let anyone bring him down, he’s never given up. He keeps striving to be the best he can be. Trying to paint and draw as amazing as him would be a long shot but using the same techniques would get one there if they really set their mind to
Close puts a grid on the photo and canvas and goes through square by square. He fills each square with roughly executed choices of color, once you step back you’ll see the whole portrait coming together. One of the main things he does in his paintings are taking the photo how the are. No makeup, no brushed hair, just you. He paints on every imperfection to make it, well, “perfection”.
Close suffered a seizure that left him paralyzed from the neck down. The cause was diagnosed as a spinal artery collapse. This delayed his work for quite some time. For months he was in rehab strengthening his muscles with physical therapy. He soon had very little movement in his arms and could walk, but only a few steps at a time. He has been in a wheelchair ever since. He refused to give up, so he painted with the brush strapped to his wrist with tape. He hasn’t let the seizure stop him from what he loves.
Chuck Close is an amazing example of a great artist. He is an inspiration to millions. His legacy being drawing realism portraits beautifully. Chuck Close never let anyone bring him down, he’s never given up. He keeps striving to be the best he can be. Trying to paint and draw as amazing as him would be a long shot but using the same techniques would get one there if they really set their mind to