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| Meghan / oil on linen / 12 x 12 |
Meghan, with her rosy cheeks, strong chin, silver earrings and dimpled smile, posed for our portrait session. I painted her on a linen panel as I have all but abandoned working on corrugated cardboard during the life sessions. I am dismayed by the ridges that are apparent in cardboard due to the underlying corrugation. Even with several coats of gesso on the surface, these ridge lines remain prominent. For quick practice, I may still use cardboard, but now that I am gaining more confidence in painting from life, I want a more professional looking surface - just in case the painting turns out decently! I wish I could find a stiff cardboard support that is non corrugated but have not been able to after multiple internet searches. Both Degas and Lautrec used cardboard supports - often unprimed - for oil painting. I do love how the surface grabs the paint and is absorbent and wish I could find the kind of flat, smooth cardboard that they used.
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| Toulouse Lautrec / Alfred la Guigne / oil on cardboard |
This painting, at the National Gallery of Art, is done on cardboard and Lautrec left the entire jacket of Alfred unpainted, using the pre-exisiting color of the support as the color of the suit.
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| Toulouse Lautrec/ Rue des Moulins |
Another Lautrec masterpiece painted in thin oil paint on cardboard. And close ups of the extraordinary faces on the women. I fell in love with these faces.
After seeing a room full of Toulouse Lautrec paintings, he remains one of my favorite artists. I am in awe at the honesty with which he painted.
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| Lautrec gallery at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC |
Beautiful portrait: very expressive!
ReplyDeleteI exaggerated her features slightly for this piece to make it a bit more expressive. Thank you, Martine.
DeleteYour portrait is gorgeous, it shows the pretty face of a kind person, love that secret smile and love all your free spirited dots ! I agree on the ridged cardboard, no good, but I think there is so much good cardboard you can paint on .
ReplyDeleteI know there must be - if only I could find a source for it! Thanks, Jane!
DeleteYou've done it again! ... made me look at Impressionist works with more open eyes. Many years ago, my initial [and only] reaction would have been "EEW ... yuck!" But when I look at these women now - their faces, postures - I see the incisiveness and sensitivity of Lautrec's art.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan,
Kathryn
I fell in love with Van Gogh when I was 7 and have never looked back. So glad you are seeing some of the magic that I see! :)
DeleteAnother beautiful portrait, Susan. And I think Toulouse Lautrec is such an interesting artist as well. He uses a lot of oranges and browns that make his paintings unique.
ReplyDeleteI have read just about every word on him that I have been able to find - he had a fascinating life. Thank you, Hilda.
DeleteHmm... I wonder if Mount-Board would be any good? It's perfectly smooth and stiff and at least you know it is acid free and all that! Anyway, Painting from life is something I like to do... when it is 'still' life as apposed to 'could move/sneeze/cough/breathe at any moment - life! ;0)
ReplyDeleteYours are always fabulous! Love this one :0)
Thanks, Sandra - I will look for mount board. I just ordered some gesso board - perhaps that will please me! You make me laugh! :) I was always so intimidated by painting from life - now I love it!
DeleteHi Susan.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant portrait.Susan. such a wonderful face to paint. You have done a wonderful job here Susan.All the best.
Vic.
She had the kind of face that I was delighted to paint! Many thanks, Vic!
DeleteThe character in this portrait is fantastic? I know Mehgan loved it.it's unique. Lautrec was my first love. I should have paid more attention.i had no idea he painted on cardboard. There is definitely a distinctive texture to it that shows through.
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