William Hogarth - aesthetics in motion

[LCT_m_a_d]

I came across a study on William Hogarth (painter/engraver) from "The Analysis of beauty". The excerpt was in-focus on Hogarth's philosophical contributions to both art and neuroscience. The specific quote has to do with visual taste towards visual in motion, as opposed to a static visual reference.

"But the pleasure it gives the eye is still more lively when in motion. I never can forget my frequent strong attention to it, when I was very young, and that its beguiling movement gave me the same kind of sensation then, which I since have felt at, seeing a country-dance; though perhaps the latter might be somewhat more engaging; particularly when my eye eagerly pursued a favorite dancer, through all the windings of the figure, who then was bewitching to the sight, as the imaginary ray, we were speaking of, was dancing with her all the time."

This got me thinking about how subjects, or even settings seemingly establish life when they are portrayed in action, or in motion (even in a non animated media). This feels personally true about my experience with my comic Exit_Success. My character does feel to exist despite not having developed many references.

What are your thoughts?
Have you had any experiences with art?
With characters? With studies? With literary descriptions?
Again sorry for the weird topics.

[migxmeg]

Yep! Always enjoyed making art - landscapes, still lifes, portraits - but I never became thoroughly obsessed/addicted until I started drawing a comic where there are characters doing things and playing out a story. It explains why really simple drawings can make us feel all kinds of things if it's a favorite character.

[LCT_m_a_d]

That's awesome to hear!
I can relate to this a bit as a former portrait artist.
As my art has gotten less dynamic over the years, it's far easier to create living expression through visual storytelling. It's one of the things that's intrigued me in trying again.

[wispysing]

While art takes on many forms, I always find myself drawn to visual art the most. I took music and dance once, both which are also defined as art. But what truly gets my heart pumping is whenever I see a story, woven so intricately between strokes of pencil and splashes of carefully picked out colors. Though may be still images, but I could hear, I could feel, and I could understand. That was my first comic, made by a friend ages ago.

Just like you I get especially excited when they're in motion. They're extensions of stories. Well, I've always been a story-maniac at heart anyway so it's always been the stories behind art that adds weight to the value, imo.

[LCT_m_a_d]

Though may be still images, but I could hear, I could feel, and I could understand.

Well said!
I think this is a critical... possibly fundamental aspect of all Art. Probably to the point Hogarth himself was trying to illustrate.

[RoseRedRowan]

I think this is very on point indeed! Kind of reminded me of what’s called gesture drawing today - when you’re encouraged to capture the expressive gesture and movement first and foremost to make the artwork look captivating.

[LCT_m_a_d]

That's a really nice connection to his point and the value of gesture drawing.