Amazing smoke art

Michael Fennell is an exceptional artist who creates amazing art using smoke. On his website, the smoke artist claims to be “creator of smoke painting”, although he mentions that he is not the first person who thought of using smoke as an artistic tool.

“I do think in 12 years of experimentation that I have made smoke into a ‘serious’ and sophisticated medium,” he says. “I have been able to find a way of fixing the image securely and permanently even in the dense, dark passages of the works. Contrary to what might be said, these areas cannot be fixed with conventional fixative. Each new piece of work I do in smoke is different from the last, this is due in part to the nature of the medium and my experimentation with it, and also my individual approach to the subject. I always look forward to new ventures with this volatile medium.”

While the biggest part of the amazing technique remains a mystery for the outside world, the artist states: "Smoke is a unique medium that is not drawn, painted, printed, rubbed, flicked, blown or sprayed on - so what could we say - air borne? It can create the most beautiful blacks that are 'luminous' and have depth to the extent that charcoal is flat and pale next to it. It can also create melting, nebulous edges and a great range of tones to rival those of photography."