Freud said: "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." However, a simple tie can be more.
When painting a portrait, what goes into capturing a person? It's not all in the face. There is also body language, clothing and environment. In painting this "head shot" of Jeff almost all the emphasis is on is his face. But, the yellow tie plays an important role is describing him. It has a commanding, almost jarring and distracting, presence. If I were selecting clothing for a portrait subject this particular tie would not be my first choice. However it is characteristic of Jeff. He loves bold ties that make a statement. It is a way for him t express something about himself and THIS is why the yellow tie is here. It is an important part of Jeff and who he is.
Clothing can play an important role in imparting a narrative. A narrative that reveals something about the person. In portraiture there are times when art must bow to narrative; when the artist must put aside aesthetic judgement in favor of using all available means to say something about his subject. Jeff's blue gray suit jacket and white shirt are straight forward conservative, but his tie speaks to his lighter playful side and so, despite the competition it may give his face, it stays.
Sometimes when I am commissioned to paint a portrait, wardrobe selection is an important part of the preliminary discussion. Other times there is something about the subject's personal style that just shouldn't be changed. NO MATTER HOW IDIOSYNCRATIC. Enough said on the subject of a simple tie!
So, there is a small peek behind the decision making curtain in portraiture. There is so much more, but I'll save that for another day.
Happy Spring,
Peter
