PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Reuters) – Czech artist Ladislav Vlna has swapped his brush for a blowtorch as he ‘paints’ with fire to create artworks that change according to lighting.
Vlna’s self-titled metallurgic painting technique results in surprisingly delicate and detailed pieces, mostly portraits or figures, with oxyacetylene torches.
The 40-year-old artist begins by painting a draft upon a steel surface and then carves, sharpens and polishes the basic image into it before putting a flame to the engraving which alters its color, depending on the temperature. This process gives the piece its unique appearance.
“I am painting using fire instead of a paintbrush. I am extracting the colors from inside the steel with heat and fire.”
You can read and see more about this extraordinary artist at Reuters. Definitely treat yourself and have a wander at his website! Truly beautiful and unique pieces.
I really don’t want to sound like a broken record, but “Wow!”.
What really astonishes me is just the *idea* of creating art that way. What it took to come up with and master the technique, let alone the actual artwork.
Thanks Caine.
Thank rq for this one, she’s the one who alerted me!
Aiiiiiieeeee!!!!!
I love when artists come up with something especially difficult because they can, and then pull it off.
Thanks rq!
His website has a series ‘People of the Sea’ where my absolute favourite is the portrait of Krystyna. She’s like a pirate whom the world keeps reminding to say ‘fuck you’.
Thousands of millions of people must have known that iron/steel discolours when exposed to flames or heat. He took that knowledge and really pushed the boundaries. Who knows what was the inspiration, a particularly fine case-hardened object, some welding he was doing or what?
Powerful portraits. The palette makes them dramatic in a “quiet” way.