Andrea's Technique

About

Andrea Romanello's Technique

Andrea Romanello was born in Cles (Trento). He’s graduated in Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts of “Brera” in Milan. Lives and works between Italy and Berlin.

Andrea Romanello's Technique: between alchemy and respect for the environment

Andrea Romanello's works of art start from, and are supported by a solid classic figurative basis: an in depth study of the human anatomy, of proportions and of realism, as well as of the knowledge of colour and the art of painting are essential elements which distinguish his works.
Over the years his research has moved towards the primary elements of painting: gestures, brevity, essence of colour.
Various factors now characterize his works of art.
First of all, his numerous partitioned paintings propose a different way of observing situations providing more meanings.
The public is invited not to observe the image quickly and superficially by to enter into it, crossing the barriers of any possible prejudice.
This partitioning can also be read as separative elements between the observer and the subject represented. It forms bars created by the masks of power, unreliability of information, seduction of advertising and glorification of the money god. These bars can also represent obstacles such as limitations on observing reality for what it is: the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of gauging events with an objective eye because of cultural, religious, social and idealistic bonds. Educational factors of the human society can become obstacles if they are not surpassed during the understanding of new events in the ever changing world.
The partitioning of the paintings are also wounds: those inflicted by the human race on itself, on other creatures and on the planet's environmental equilibrium, with the hope that Man will reform and assist with its healing.
Finally it is an element of openness. Apertures of creative freedom for the onlooker, with the invitation to move towards an example of awareness and action for a better world.
The actual way of applying colour on the surface has a profound meaning.
It is not just applying, but rather, taking away, leaving considerable parts unfinished. This element recalls ancient oriental beliefs which underline the importance of the empty rather than the full .
This referral to the east transcends the concept of western society which attaches prime importance to rushing, amassing and excelling. On the contrary, meditation which distances compulsive and egoistic thought, leads to peace, awareness and connection with Mother Earth.
A not very materic painting therefore, of the essential.... a painting of the strictly essential!
After several years of research and study on colour, during which he analyzes and experiments with all the painting techniques, trying to find stable colours which do not pollute, he settles with egg tempera, which allows him to use exclusively natural pigments and organic substances.
On this broad and clean creative path, the artist superimposes other techniques of retouching to be able to reach the highest levels of expressiveness and sturdiness of the works of art, but always keeping environmental impact to a minimum.
Egg tempera, a centuries-old technique, amongst the purest forms of art, is retrieved by Andrea Romanello and given a contemporary note.
The painting supports he uses are also significant. They are in fact chosen from recyclable materials (MDF, HDF, recycled paper...) certified materials (FSC and PEFC wood, jute and hemp material) and waste (wood, canvases, supports and discarded objects...).
While experimenting he also becomes aware that using natural products daily is not the only way to pollute less. It is no doubt the starting point, but it is reaching the correct ratio of natural and artificial substances which improves matters more.
The best eco-compatible results on the whole depend on the elements to be recycled.
Andrea Romanello has the constant objective to reach the best possible compromise regarding recycling effective materials for painting, highest standard of paint and maximum respect for the environment.
This is to demonstrate that everyone in their daily lives and in their work, with a bit of effort and care, can help bring an environmentally friendly contribution through concrete actions!
Through an in depth study of substances and their correlation the artist has been able to understand painting more profoundly becoming an alchemist: an ancient concept that the majority of contemporary painters has forgotten due to the pursuit of speed, which is typical of consumer society.
Through alchemy the artist's relationship with painting changes. Drawing nearer to the elements of the Earth everything becomes more familiar, better understood, better felt and sensible. Painting becomes a spiritual medium, the materic means which forms a bridge between the visible and the invisible... to Man's vanity it shows the Earth's soul!
All of this brings Andrea Romanello to have an original style, message and awareness which is rare on the current art scene.

Don't spend your precious time asking "Why isn't the world a better place?" It will only be time wasted.
The question to ask is "How can I make it better?" To that there is an answer.
- Leo Buscaglia -