Red material circa 1967
Found a piece of red material bought in the 60s when, as a student, I'd made lots of clothes on an old treadle machine! My thoughts now were that it would be wonderful to paint rather than wear, and the only way to do that was to use it in a still life. But arranging a still life is one of those things that drives me to distraction - I'm never happy- and spend ages changing and rearranging, searching through art books hoping the magic of Cezanne and Matisse will somehow transfer to me. Anyway above was my first try. I liked the purple plums against the red, and the white begonias which were similar to the pattern on the cloth.
Oil paints ready.
Cadmium Red, Permanent Rose, Chrome Yellow,Yellow Ochre,Ultramarine Blue, Ceruleum, White.
Making a start
At this initial lay in I'm working very fast and trying out lots of ideas. I'm loving painting the cloth but everything else is a hotchpotch of objects. I mean, just where did the green teapot come from and will it stay?
But tomorrow is another day and for now the paint is too wet to do any more..
Thank you for sharing your process. I avoid still lifes for the very reasons you wrote about. Yikes! They drive me nuts. However, it is a good way to get the artist to think and change things up, right?
ReplyDeleteHave fun. Your work is so good.
I like this...will watch the painting progress...no pressure!
ReplyDeleteKeep going, it's big and exciting and I love that fabric too.
ReplyDeleteHi Melinda! Thanks for the comment - and its a bit like a landscape too. But feel less mixed up after reading a quote by Anne Redpath about choosing arrangements.
ReplyDeleteOh dear - as you say - no pressure Charles !!!! No turning back now.And I really want to visit Iceland after listening to your talk .:>)
ReplyDeleteThankyou for the encouragement Robyn.
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