Art/Technology/Unsharp Masking.

Advertisement

Expert: Frank Leeding - 5/8/2009


Question
I know I read this along with examples but I can't find it now. Who was the artist
who originated the idea of making a painting look sharper by outlining his
subject with white? The idea later became unsharp masking.

Answer
Sorry, but i'm afraid that the best i can come up with is
the idea of  chiaroscuro (which uses (sometimes) v. dark and
light levels of shading - creating high contrast).

The *only* other ref i know of is that used by the cubists
(notably both Pollock and Krasner as well as of course
Sonia Terk-Delanauy) to outline - either in black or white.
When the "cattle markers" (oil-based paint sticks sort of
like oil pastels) came avail, this became (and still remains
a way to mark contrasts.

This is what you're looking for since chiaroscuro was supposed
to suggest 3-d shade-ing and shadow effects as in how a
statue is lighted (lit).

about the best i can do,
appologising greatly for the v. untimely delay in this rsvp :(

"franklin ace" - decimal point camping instructor ;)

Art/Technology

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Frank Leeding

Expertise

I can (possibly) answer questions regarding art history, technique, theory, and the occasional quandry. In addition to drawing and painting (mainly with acrylics these days), i know a bit about printmaking: Intaglio (etching), relief, offset, transfer and some things about photography. I also use a welding torch to "draw" in metal and then pound the sheets flat and print them. I pretty much "live" in 2D (and much 4D (time); but, 3D is just sort of "thick" version of 2D to me;)

Experience

As an artist I [sic] have shown my art work in both open and juried shows. I have an extensive background in both studio and cultural studies in art and related areas. I currently hold bachelors and master degrees in art and technology. In addition, I write extensively on "art theory". And I'm fairly good at mixing paint.

Education/Credentials
BSCS, University of North Texas, Denton. MA (ATEC), University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson.

Awards and Honors
First place, TIPA: "Brookhaven College - The First 25 Years" (shared with my editor Ivana Corsalle.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.