Friday, May 8, 2009

Do happy people have to smile?

"Yesterday I uploaded this painting to some new galleries and wrote that it was describing the feeling of happyness for me.

Then several people showed up and said that this was not happy. Because of the smiling?
Does she have to smile brightly to look like a happy person?

In my eyes she has a happy mouth, and she throws her hair back in self confidence. So how is she not happy?"

- Azu

5 comments:

  1. She looks like she's questioning something to me. I'd say her expression is quite neutral on the happiness-meter ^^

    I often catch myself smiling while thinking about things that make me happy. I think it's a logical reaction to smile -even if it is just a bit- when being happy

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  2. Hm, I understand what you mean. But couldn't it be possile that people feel generally happy and content without having to smile constantly?

    - Azu

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  3. She's obviously very angry and filled with rage. I kid :D She seems very peaceful to me. Happy? Sure, but it's not 'in your face', which I think is a good thing. Some things are better off to be open for interpretation, especially an art piece.

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  4. I cannot say she looks happy, and it's not because she lacks a bright smile. If I had to pick an expression I would go with slight disdain. But that's what I see and I'm sure other people have different interpretations. It seems like you're trying to refute other people's interpretation of your image. Whether you take the criticism or not it's probably best to avoid arguing over it. Plus it doesn't change how you feel about the image!

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  5. I have to agree with the comments that say she does not appear happy. I agree with the above poster on both points, that it doesn't do well to argue against someone else's opinion and that it doesn't change how you feel about the image. What I do want to point out though, is that if you were attempting to portray happiness and self-confidence, it might benefit you to research body language. The way her eye is partially hidden by her hair, the raised shoulder, and arm shielding her body all say to me (and again this is my personal opinion) is that she is not very confident at all. Forgive me for stereotyping but she looks just like many of the digital images I see posted more and more these days; A moody, pouty, made up girl in a decorative dress with flowy hair. If you're genuinely looking to personally improve your work to make it stand out that much more among the swelling sea of digital images, study from life. Study the things you love.

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