This month’s Inspiration interview is with Aaron Nagel—a figurative oil painter from Oakland CA who is at the top of his game. At first glance, it would be easy to categorize Aaron Nagel’s work primarily as photorealistic portraiture. While his skills as a draftsman are easily experienced in viewing his work, it’s Nagel’s ability to capture and describe the internal life of his subjects, along side their exterior beauty, that makes his work so powerful. He seeks to describe a visual aesthetic with beauty as the cornerstone of his work, and that is readily apparent in every brushstroke.
Some highlights from the interview are:
• Aaron is self-taught. His inspiration comes, in part, from the presence and power of large, classic works.
• In his work he is looking for something aesthetically pleasing, but also a mood, a power, an essence of a person.
• He wasn’t ready to show his work until a friend committed him to a particular venue.
• He is actually slowing down in his process, not speeding up.
• What makes a for good photograph doesn’t necessarily make a good painting. Choosing reference is challenging.
• The colors that Aaron uses to make a flesh tone.