LESLIE PETERSON SAPP
  • Home
  • Portfolio
    • Artist Books
    • Archeology Art
    • Film Noir Art
    • Vintage Snapshot Art
  • About
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • subscribe
  • Blog

Why Noir? Studying Film Noir Makes Me a Better Painter.

9/2/2022

3 Comments

 

A series on how film noir inspires my art- Entry #3


Many film noir aficionados know that American film noir was born from German Expressionism,
an art movement that started at the turn of the 20th century, and encompassed painting, theater, music, literature, and the brand-new medium of film.
It sought to express emotion and subjective experience by using symbolism, exaggeration, and distortion. In painting, the elements of design were used to support a narrative.

Picture
"M" 1931 Fritz Lang
Picture
"The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" 1920
In cinematography, the techniques used included deep focus, extreme camera angles, dramatic lighting shone from raked angles, and chiaroscuro (which is a painterly technique developed during the Renaissance where use of deep variations of light and dark is used to enhance mood and create dramatic effect).
I consider the masters of film noir my teachers as well as my inspiration. By studying their cinematographic virtuosity, I have become a better narrative painter.

Because the noir aesthetic is so specific, I am obliged to narrow my focus and deepen my decisions, which has honed my skills.

Picture
"Crossfire" 1947
Picture
©lesliepetersonsapp Lamplight 40x48
I have become better at marshaling the elements of design, such as value, arrangement, and scale. I believe these skills transcend any specific style and will translate to other subjects as my creative interests evolve.
Picture
©lesliepetersonsapp Exit 28x18

Why Noir? is a series! Read 'em all.
3 Comments
Marco Lemus
9/2/2022 12:26:31 pm

Great work I loved Gil noir

Reply
Leslie
9/3/2022 01:32:34 am

Thank you!

Reply
Bridget
9/21/2022 04:11:31 pm

I can definitely see the influence of that scene from "Crossfire" on your work - and it's awesome having the stills from the movies. You've done an awesome job of illustrating the posts!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Take a Closer Look.

    Here is an intimate, in depth glimpse into my thoughts, inspiration and artistic process.

    Categories

    All
    ADHD
    Ancient History
    Archeology
    Art History
    Artist Book
    Artistic Process
    Artist Who Inspires
    Film Noir
    Finished Work
    Narrative And Subject
    Travelogue
    Why Noir?


    Not seeing what you're looking for? My previous blog on blogspot can be found HERE.

    RSS Feed

Copyright ©2025 lesliepetersonsapp
  • Home
  • Portfolio
    • Artist Books
    • Archeology Art
    • Film Noir Art
    • Vintage Snapshot Art
  • About
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • subscribe
  • Blog