Look at the following painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. This is a painting entitled “Madonna and Child with a Pomegranate.”
Some art historians point to specific differences between the two men as influences on their painting style. Leonardo Da Vinci had a petulant and perfectionistic personality that drove him to technical perfection but other attitudes hindered his ability to paint women in general and Madonnas in particular. It is alleged he disliked women, in general, and spiritually he believed John the Baptist was the true Messiah and that Jesus and, later, the Virgin Mary usurped John’s crown. As such, he disliked painting Madonna pictures. Botticelli, on the other hand, loved women, the model who sat for the painting, and was a passionate follower of a group of people who believed Mary Magdalene was the correct successor to Jesus based on her being a part of the bloodline of the priest Aaron and her relationship to Jesus. This religious group taught and demonstrated God’s love and forgiveness and supported the inclusion of all people into the Kingdom of Heaven. His paintings of Madonnas were actually his rendition of Mary Magdalene and not the Virgin Mary. Setting religious ideology aside, the process of painting this subject was approached differently by the two men. Due to Botticelli’s passion for the topic, he would fully experience his emotions as he painted and allowed his emotions to guide his brush. His art was infused with his strong emotional passion for the topic and, as such, he believed his emotions became part of the paint and technique he used when rendering a piece.
Does this concept of “infusion” apply to modeling? Most modelers I have met are extremely passionate about the models they build. They often spend many hours on research and execution of the piece. Much time, energy, and emotion is used in accurately representing the subject of their modeling. I have rarely met a modeler who is indifferent about the piece they are building no matter what the selected genre. Technique is, of course, important. But does their passion infuse into their work? If you were to place two models, side-by-side, completed by two different modelers of similar technical abilities would there be a difference in the models based on the level of passion that was infused into the model?
Is there a difference in the following two models? The first picture is of a completed piece I made four years ago which I painted with the intent of experimenting with a new technique. My interest was in the technique and the model was purchased because it was somewhat cool but mainly because it was inexpensive. The second piece is a current work-in-progress where my passion was related to the beauty and the story of the piece. I was also trying some new techniques but that was of secondary importance to me.
I am intrigued with this idea of infusion and think it may have applications to other genres of modeling. Would there be a difference between models built by the guy who loved Shermans or Panthers or the aircraft guy who loves F-16s or F-18s as opposed to the guys who just generally like armor and aircraft? With the level of passion that is prevalent by modelers while making their creations it would just make sense it would somehow affect the finished product. I don’t know. What do you think?