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Photorealist Glennray Tutor

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Painter Glennray Tutor is a photorealist. I particularly like his series of marbles and romance comics.

Photorealism always seems to get a bad rap in our comments from those who dismiss the practice as having no artistic value other than precision. But I like this quote from Tutor’s site:

“It’s easy to dismiss photo-realist work as an exercise in surface obsession, but Glennray Tutor, a Jedi warrior of the style, has to be admired for his dedication to what Yeats called ‘the fascination with what’s difficult.’”

The marbles, comics, canned goods, candies, and toys — all rendered in bright, saturated colours — evoke a sense of childhood wonder, especially when you look at his body of work, and not just individual pieces.

  • aaroncostain

    Great composition and colours. The jars in particular make me think of Mary Pratt.

  • thewrist

    Fantastic! I've always wondered how photorealists work is it directly off of photographs, not tracing them but using them for references as they draw or do they trace them?

    The effect however it's executed is stunning-I guess that's important-not technique.

  • http://spookylaboratory.blogspot.com/ Steve

    A good choice of subject makes all of the difference. Personally, I'd rather make art from a photograph than make art into a photograph. But this guys stuff is art in my book.

  • http://cbsorge.blogspot.com/ CB Sorge

    Photorealist work, regardless of the name, is not purely photo copying – the artist still improves, tweaks, and clarifies things. I find there is a sumptuousness found in his paintings that you can't get from the photographs.

  • http://cbsorge.blogspot.com/ CB Sorge

    Photorealist work, regardless of the name, is not purely photo copying – the artist still improves, tweaks, and clarifies things. I find there is a sumptuousness found in his paintings that you can't get from the photographs.

  • sumosays

    Personally my thoughts on the photo-realist issue is that it's really only a problem when the photo realism takes center stage as a style to be clung to for fear of delving into something deeper. But I think any “style” can be used like a crutch like this. It seems to me that Tutor's work has a great deal going on in addition to and perhaps beside the realism. I like it.

  • http://www.jacquelinehudon.com/ Jack

    I'm one of those people who isn't a fan of photo-realist work, but I do admire the skill required to successfully pull it off. I think the subject matter makes a difference too. These pieces are visually interesting and beautiful. I love his use of colour.

  • http://www.sketchidea.co.uk/ Mikey B

    These photorealists always amaze me. I love Richard Estes and Chuck Close in particular. I hadn't heard of Glennray Tutor before, but thankyou for introducing me. Fantastico!

  • eshwin

    Awesome … nice to see photo-realism getting some props. Refreshing, actually …

  • eshwin

    Ah, I meant that generally, not in specific response to Mike.

  • eshwin

    Ah, I meant that generally, not in specific response to Mike.

  • http://saspisius.tumblr.com/ Saspisius Monster

    Gotta admit, i'm one of the dismissers usually. But his work contains a self-referential quality that seems to boast indifference. While most photorealism is simply a display of skill, it's obvious that the artist is aware of his critics and therefore paints within quotations.

    Reminds me of a little thiebaud, rosenquist, and lichtenstein.

  • http://twitter.com/RayDillon Ray Dillon

    Love the comic book page. The black and white with color splashes from the light of the marbles is a fantastic design element. Gives it a nostalgic feel, too.

  • http://twitter.com/RayDillon Ray Dillon

    But then again, I LOVED marbles, the color, the light. Slightly obsessed with staring at them as a small child … :o}

  • http://saspisius.tumblr.com/ Saspisius Monster

    Estes and Close’ early work was famous for its freshness. Since them, many photorealist artists across the world have far surpassed those skills. http://www.thetoyzone.com/2009/blog/10-awesome-images-that-are-actually-paintings/

  • freecasimir

    totally fascinated by the work.
    the most psychedelic thing I have seen in a long while

  • http://leglessmermaid.blogspot.com/ Doug Dutton

    I personally love this,
    It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside…. maybe the colors, maybe a little of my childhood boyhood. Whatever the case, that is what art is meant to do, like it or hate it,
    make you feel something.