Back in October, Bianca wrote an eloquent artist resource column on composition and the importance of balance within a composition. Indeed, in this piece, she touched upon an important factor: what makes up a great image is its ability to focus the viewer’s attention. One of the key factors to this approach, is making sure the piece isn’t too busy. Well, I’d like to expand on this, and more specifically in regards to how sometimes showing less can be sexier.
Way back in the 40s, an architect called Mies van der Rohe employed the phrase ‘Less is more’. This principle became the foundation for any good modernist design. In other words, architects and artists sought to simplify their work, to render them more efficient and “purer.” Please forgive the history lesson. However, as an architect myself (my day job) I can’t help but love a minimalist approach, whether it’s to do with art, architecture or erotica. This may seem weird, but what really turns me on in fact, at least to an extent, is seeing less.
Regardless of whether it’s in porn, erotic literature or actual sex, I love a bit of mystery. Indeed, I want some of the fun to be left up to my imagination. Take a look at the image on the right: if you think about it, you can’t really see that much of the model. Her breasts are hidden, she technically isn’t fully naked, and the lighting blurs out part of her face. And yet this image is one of the sexiest I’ve seen in a long time. I can picture the rest of her body for myself, I don’t need to see it. The artist has given me just the right amount of information.
Lingerie is an artist’s best friend
As a Frenchman…well, half-Frenchman anyhow, I simply can’t resist a girl in lingerie. Take the image above from a Media Of The Day in 2014. The fact that this babe isn’t fully naked and the thought of that lace against her skin, is far more appealing to me than if she hadn’t been wearing anything. Furthermore, it literally gives us more for less: less skin for more suggestion.
Now, my girlfriend might kill me for saying this, but as a Christmas “gift” she hinted at a striptease in some new lingerie upon my return from down under (from whence my non-French half hails). It’s the hint, the possibility that I find arousing. The same goes for this MOTD. My mind begins to imagine removing the delicate lace, how it would feel and what it’s hiding.
There may be many stereotypes surrounding the French, but there’s one thing they do get – how to undress. Lingerie, in my opinion is a definite plus when it comes to 3DX imagery. To sum up, it’s suggestive, sensory (as it has a distinct feel against the skin), and helps guide our gaze (just like the image below).
Lingerie simply adds elegance and grace to sex and erotica and is an excellent ‘tool’ at any artist’s disposal.
The devil is in the detail
In her October article, Bianca talks about focusing the viewer’s attention. In other words, how little details such as jewellery or makeup can guide and structure an image and help the artist to convey meaning.
The painting on the right does just that and more. We are automatically drawn to the model’s flamboyant hair. Then of course we can discover her body. What I love here though, and in my opinion is something any good 3DX artist is attentive to, are the small and almost unseen details: how the woman’s unruly hair might free itself at any moment from its ties; how the sheets fall delicately away from her ass.
The composition is simple. Indeed, the model, although naked, still leaves much to our imagination. The soft lighting and blurred brush strokes around her create the impression of a context and background without detracting from the sharper details and shapes that compose her.
In short, sometimes an artist can make a better or sexier image by focusing on a handful of simple yet effective details. A simpler image creates an interaction with the viewer who is free to interpret and use their own imagination.
In my mind good 3DX, or good erotica in general, allows people to engage with it, to draw on their own fantasies and desires. I don’t want to just have everything handed to me. Regardless if it’s hardcore-ball-slapping-sex or something more softcore, I want a degree of mystery and simplicity. What do you guys think? Maybe I’m being too romantic.