Norman Bean

About the artist…

Norman Bean's primary work is graphite on paper. Rather than simple sketches, his drawings tend to be complete compositions occupying the whole page. Norman's study of Greek, Roman, Renaissance, Modern and Abstract art have given his drawings a representational realism and photo surrealistic ambiance. We can imagine Wassily Kandinsky saying that Norman's drawings create a totally believable perspective and imitation 3rd dimension, which, in the world of Fine Art, is what depth and vibrancy on a flat piece of paper is all about.

Everything that we see with our eyes, what our brains interpret as reality, is reflected light. The job of an artist is to make it easy to forget about the flat surface of the drawing paper, and to focus attention into the scene drawn on the paper. Reflected light from the page engages the viewer's perception and recognition with a play of contrasts, surface textures, implied reflected and absorbed light, shadows embedded with subtle images, and details hidden in plain sight. The Artist's drawings seek to exploit the ways our brains interpret these visual signals from our eyes. Creating depth and perspective on a flat sheet of paper is more than just drawing an interesting subject. Well composed art captures the viewer's attention, engages the mind, and motivates the eye around the page to narratives and focal points.

Black & white is all about the values. Contrasting relationships, bright and dark spaces, detail and distance are all used purposefully to create dimension and vibrancy. Playing perspectives against unusual lines of sight offer the viewer's eye an excuse to be drawn into vignette of the plot. The Artist has succeeded when people stop and look. It might be said that Norman has created the perspective in his drawings by faking the third dimension with just a few pencil marks on paper. It is really all about how our minds interpret the light reflecting from the page.

Recent drawings (graphite and color pencils) include antique motorcycles, still life and live figure drawing, Central Texas Courthouses and imaginary landscapes.

See more of Norman’s work at https://normanbean.carbonmade.com/