The linked documentary convincingly demonstrates how the Master, considered by many to be the finest artist of his and perhaps all time, could have used a camera obscura to algorithmically reproduce the subject of his work, effectively creating a manually produced colour photograph in oil paint.
But the documentary maker clearly missed the big opportunity here: so throw out those puzzles, paint by the numbers books and sowing pillows! With our kit, containing a camera obscura and reversing mirror, conveniently prepackaged oil palettes, and brushes, you too can paint any subject like the Master even if you've never held a brush in your hand!
Bored with "realism"? Use our handy colour substitution guides to create Photoshop style effects in your oil paintings! You know how you've always said you can do better than Rothko or Pollock? Well now you can do better than Leonardo!-- theircompetitor, Jan 11 2016 Tim's Vermeer http://m.imdb.com/title/tt3089388/ [theircompetitor, Jan 11 2016] Vermeer arm switch https://commons.m.w...#mw-jump-to-license [not_morrison_rm, Jan 11 2016] Camera lucida https://en.wikipedi.../wiki/Camera_lucidaMore convenient for this purpose than a camera obscura. Thought to have been used by several famous painters. Not used during the past century or so, until… [notexactly, Jan 11 2016] NeoLucida Kickstarter campaign https://www.kicksta...ida-for-the-21st-cea new camera lucida product was released the other year on Kickstarter, and got 2800% funding. (Confusingly, it's pronounced differently.) [notexactly, Jan 11 2016] Griddy thing https://encrypted-t...-jPfFNg2fpSz0WDe83A [not_morrison_rm, Jan 11 2016] I like the idea [+]. As a kid at school we traced images cast by an overhead projector onto large sheets of paper on the wall, and the effect was pronounced (and made us seem like better artists).
As for the optics theory, just like the "Shakespeare didn't write his plays" theory, it contradicts the physical evidence and reeks of classism.-- the porpoise, Jan 11 2016 His, tims painting is simply amazing. I don't know enough about any excluded evidence, but I found the documentary convincing-- theircompetitor, Jan 11 2016 His, tims painting is simply amazing. I don't know enough about any excluded evidence, but I found the documentary convincing-- theircompetitor, Jan 11 2016 I'm sure it is. I haven't watch the doc yet.
Contradict may have been too strong a word. I don't think there's any physical evidence that Vermeer used mechanical aid.
Wasn't Tim comparing his work to a print? Could the optical characteristics that he noticed not have been caused by the optical process used to make the print? Or maybe this is covered in the doc and I should just watch it!-- the porpoise, Jan 11 2016 It's well worth it, it's been two days and I'm still thinking about it :)-- theircompetitor, Jan 11 2016 Surely this could be automated? Like a giant camera, containing a robot arm. Load with a standard selection of Windsor & Newton oil colours and a reservoir of linseed oil & another of turps. Insert blank canvas. Stand the device for half an hour in front of the scene you wish painted. Like a slow-motion Polaroid camera.
Perhaps there would be a "scene selector" button. Vermeer / Van Goch / Holbein / Pollock-- pocmloc, Jan 11 2016 He bullshitted. Next to last self portrait, he switched the arms around..worked for a year in the museum which has it...link
//paint any subject like the Master even if you've never held a brush in your hand!
What about them painting by foot people or by mouth?
I was going to do the thin Vermeer of sophistication line, but decided not to.-- not_morrison_rm, Jan 11 2016 Kinda baked. [links]-- notexactly, Jan 11 2016 Or that grid thing in The Draughtsman's Contract?-- not_morrison_rm, Jan 11 2016 Just take a rubbing. Celebrity Rubbings would make a good gameshow.-- not_morrison_rm, Jan 13 2016 Brilliant.-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jan 13 2016 But how does it connect to the smartphone?-- pashute, Jan 13 2016 Awesome idea, but is it baked? I'm sure it wasn't widely known to exist. At least in my part of the woods.-- blissmiss, Jan 13 2016 random, halfbakery