I hate to be all jaded about things, but this is the second story I've seen on this boy, and I feel like he falls under the "extraordinary claims require extraordinarily evidence" umbrella.
These are charcoal-based sketches, and for that style of art a majority of the artistry lies in image choice and finishing detail of the sketch (and a little bit in the presketch, though that's trainable if he's using a reference image.)
I would like to have better evidence that these parts weren't just done by an adult, because without it, this boy is arguably a once-in-generation genius, and that is an extraordinary claim.
>I would like to have better evidence that these parts weren't just done by an adult, because without it, this boy is arguably a once-in-generation genius, and that is an extraordinary claim.
Hardly. Such photorealistic portraits are impressive, and very impressive for a 13 yo boy, but nothing "extraordinary" to achieve, and much less a sign of an "once-in-generation genius".
The right technique, many hours devotion, and starting from around 6 would get similar results to most kids -- like tons of kids at 13 can play Chopin on the piano, and are not "once-in-generation geniuses", but run of the mill tiger-mom kids...
Hmm.. The video doesn't seems to show him in process. Stephen Wiltshire has several time-lapses and videos of him in various stages of the drawing process. Maybe we'll get a reporter that records a time lapse at some point, or maybe not if it's really the work of an adult.
Comments seen here are the worst knee jerk reactions. Massive skepticism without doing any research whatsoever. You can easily go to google and find out he was with Macron. Why would a French President seek to be part of a ploy to deceive anyone about a young artist drawing him live would be beyond belief.
Second is the reactions downplaying what he can do. Seriously, it doesn't matter what you think another person could do. "Have any kid at age 6 and they could achieve this." It is hard enough to get motivation from failing many times to do something. How many of your personal or even business projects have panned out?
And some of you wonder why another commenter pointed out geographic bias as the source of the negativity? Whatever your negativity, it is disgusting.
I bet the comments would have be less sceptical if it was about an 11 year old Nigerian cyber fraudster.
Sorry lads, positive stuff comes out from my country from time to time. Just don't get too upset when it makes Hackernews.
Personally, I'd like to see comments on how such a young and extraordinary talent from a very humble background (even by Nigerian standards) can develop to become a much more rounded artist.
I'm not interested in prejudiced minds questioning the legitimacy of my young and talented compatriot.
I feel that a disproportionate attention goes towards the chronological age of young achievers. Suppose he's had 3 years of intensive practice. I'd like to live in a world where a 50 year old, who has spent 3 years practising, get the same amount of praise.
IMO, this whole 'Look at what this 15 year old can do!' needs to change to 'Look at what 4 years of practice can get you'.
I think you talk out of pure envy, which is understandable, but people are generally interested in prodigies and nature's wonders, it's just the way things are. What matters is that the kid brings a lot of hope and joy to people.
On a related note, I'm a bit annoyed by the attention people pay to rather boring realistic art. I'm actually conflicted about it, because on the other hand, a teenager investing his time and effert into a skill like this is awesome, and I do hope that he pursuits art later in life. But the pictures themselves...
You can achieve similarly striking paintings by projecting a very cool photograph into paper and then painting it over the projection. I remember as a kid when my father brought a projector for the weekend, and my sister and me spend the time copying photographs this way. It helps to project the image upside down, so you can focus better in the colors than in the 3d structures.
Before electronic (or even electric) projectors were around, professional artists were using device called a camera obscura[1] with similar results (though obviously dependent on natural illumination).
There is much debate over whether great painters such as Vermeer used a camera obscura as early as the 17th century.
Given enough time, any person can create a wonderful work of art -- or even software. I learned this while working for a college art department and seeing the faculty evaluate portfolios for scholarships. Looking at a beautiful pencil sketch, they would point out telltale strokes that revealed the time spent on the piece but not mastered skill. That's OK, it was a beautiful accomplishment, and the college could give them the skills.
I think of this when I dream of software projects that I want to accomplish. If I just start now, and steadily work toward the goal, learning as I go, eventually it will come to be.
[+] [-] drcode|7 years ago|reply
These are charcoal-based sketches, and for that style of art a majority of the artistry lies in image choice and finishing detail of the sketch (and a little bit in the presketch, though that's trainable if he's using a reference image.)
I would like to have better evidence that these parts weren't just done by an adult, because without it, this boy is arguably a once-in-generation genius, and that is an extraordinary claim.
[+] [-] coldtea|7 years ago|reply
Hardly. Such photorealistic portraits are impressive, and very impressive for a 13 yo boy, but nothing "extraordinary" to achieve, and much less a sign of an "once-in-generation genius".
The right technique, many hours devotion, and starting from around 6 would get similar results to most kids -- like tons of kids at 13 can play Chopin on the piano, and are not "once-in-generation geniuses", but run of the mill tiger-mom kids...
[+] [-] ramblerman|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] hugh4life|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] djsumdog|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] throwawayqdhd|7 years ago|reply
Is there a geographical bias in your skepticism? Would you be as skeptical if this kid was from Norway or Sweden or Austria?
[+] [-] throwaway77790|7 years ago|reply
Second is the reactions downplaying what he can do. Seriously, it doesn't matter what you think another person could do. "Have any kid at age 6 and they could achieve this." It is hard enough to get motivation from failing many times to do something. How many of your personal or even business projects have panned out?
And some of you wonder why another commenter pointed out geographic bias as the source of the negativity? Whatever your negativity, it is disgusting.
[+] [-] drcode|7 years ago|reply
That's what the comments section on HN is for, we're having a conversation here to learn about the story at greater depth.
[+] [-] OoTheNigerian|7 years ago|reply
I bet the comments would have be less sceptical if it was about an 11 year old Nigerian cyber fraudster.
Sorry lads, positive stuff comes out from my country from time to time. Just don't get too upset when it makes Hackernews.
Personally, I'd like to see comments on how such a young and extraordinary talent from a very humble background (even by Nigerian standards) can develop to become a much more rounded artist.
I'm not interested in prejudiced minds questioning the legitimacy of my young and talented compatriot.
[+] [-] WhATiSCaMeLcaSE|7 years ago|reply
IMO, this whole 'Look at what this 15 year old can do!' needs to change to 'Look at what 4 years of practice can get you'.
[+] [-] vfinn|7 years ago|reply
And what comes to old people doing similarly amazing things, there are stories like that: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/931295/OAP-84-paints-magni...
[+] [-] specialist|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] golergka|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] enriquto|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] fredley|7 years ago|reply
There is much debate over whether great painters such as Vermeer used a camera obscura as early as the 17th century.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura#1650_to_1800:_I...
[+] [-] teamhappy|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] KboPAacDA3|7 years ago|reply
I think of this when I dream of software projects that I want to accomplish. If I just start now, and steadily work toward the goal, learning as I go, eventually it will come to be.
[+] [-] unknown|7 years ago|reply
[deleted]