I know, no actual art from me, but I found this fascinating.

Soft and hard edges y'all. Its what the kids go crazy for!

"UBC researcher decodes Rembrandt’s “magic”

A University of British Columbia researcher has uncovered what makes Rembrandt’s masterful portraits so appealing.

In the study, published in the current issue of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s arts and sciences journal Leonardo, UBC researcher Steve DiPaola argues that Rembrandt may have pioneered a technique that guides the viewer’s gaze around a portrait, creating a special narrative and “calmer” viewing experience.

Renaissance artists used various techniques to engage viewers, many incorporating new scientific knowledge on lighting, spatial layout and perspectives. To isolate and pinpoint factors that contribute to the “magic” of Rembrandt’s portraits, DiPaola used computer-rendering programs to recreate four of the artist’s most famous portraits from photographs of himself and other models. Replicating Rembrandt’s techniques, he placed a sharper focus on specific areas of the model’s face, such as the eyes."

Read the rest of the article with more images here: "UBC researcher decodes Rembrandt’s “magic”