About — Alex Hess Designs

A CLASSICAL TECHNIQUE WITH A Contemporary JUXTAPOSITION.

I’ve always been intrigued by the value behind creative expression. What began during my childhood as a contemplation of music cover art deepened as I experienced the vibrant murals local to Pittsburgh and appreciated in the flesh the timeless masterpieces at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. As a result, I count the works of John Singer Sargent, Jacques-Louis David, Gustav Klimt, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, and Leonardo Da Vinci amongst my earliest and most significant influences.

Exploring the techniques, histories, and philosophies of these creative masters reframed for me what the human potential for art can be, and I take the long view of art history so as to ensure the richest, deepest, and most holistic approach to my work. Trends come and go, but for me connection with the realist tradition of the classical painters is the most nourishing to my artistic desire.

I study and carry forward historical traditions like the mathematical ideas of Pythagoras for achieving harmonious proportions, Leonardo Da Vinci’s “sfumato” technique for creating translucent lifelike glazes, Caravaggio’s dramatic chiaroscuro style of high contrast between light and dark, and the color theory of Vincent van Gogh. Drawing from this rich history, I am able to complement and enhance the modern techniques of illustration, graphic design, and photography, laying a broad foundation for my artistic medium. For me, theory is always linked to practice.”

The result is a realistic style that borrows elements of Impressionistic, Neoclassicist, and Academic practices , synthesizing the past and present. My goal is to produce artistry that contains the archetypal qualities of craftsmanship in drawing, color, and composition that is true to the tradition and heritage of the past masters, expressed with a uniquely current feel that demonstrates the transcendent power of art.

Working with OPEN Acrylics

Mirroring the masters that inspired my affinity for realism, I began my artistic career leveraging oil paints. I have a deep appreciation for oil-based painting, but wanted to find an alternative to the prolonged drying time and necessary solvents that still afforded a microscopic level of detail.

I transitioned to using open acrylics due to its flexibility and efficiency of drying time, during which time I learned to refine my artistic process to control the surface appearance and capabilities of the acrylic-based paint. Utilization of acrylic paint in the school of traditional realism has ultimately become my biggest differentiator as an artist, and I often wonder if the masters that originally inspired me would have gravitated toward this type of paint had it been available during their lifetimes.

Influences

Navigating the role of an artist in the modern world unveils an array of unprecedented benefits coupled with their fair share of hindrances. Foremost among the advantages is the accessibility to the entire tapestry of art history, a treasure trove conveniently within reach in mere moments, a luxury inconceivable to artists of yore prior to the digital age. Yet, this instant immersion can also weave a complex thread of challenges into an artist's journey. The constant allure and barrage of artistic stimuli from every corner of the globe can sow seeds of doubt and conflict within one's own creative endeavors.

Often, I find myself fielding the inquiry, "Who has shaped your artistic vision? Whose work resonates with you?" In response, I have chosen to dedicate this segment to the luminaries of artistic history whose essence continues to kindle my inspiration.

This diverse spectrum of influence spans from the opulent tapestries of the Renaissance to the enigmatic strokes of contemporary creators, stitching together a timeless quilt that warms the heart of my artistic expression.