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Archive for the ‘art’ Category
My latest Abstract pieces
Below are examples of some of my latest paintings. These have been created using acrylic paint, I have used a brush mainly, but do occasionally reach for the palette knife or roller. I produce my creative work on acrylic paper then move onto canvas for the final piece.
I often choose Landscapes as my subject, but also enjoy painting in total spontaneity. A common theme that has developed is the colour blue, as are a couple of little white birds that often seem to find their way into my work.
Some interesting facts on… Kandinsky
Wassily Kandinsky
Movement: Expressionism
Born in Moscow in 1866
In 1896 he decides to become an artist and moved to Munich
In 1910 he paints his first abstract watercolour
In 1911 Kandinsky founds Der Blaue Reiter
Becomes a professor at the Bauhaus in 1922
During 1927 his pictures are confiscated as degenerate art
Dies in 1944 in France
Kandinsky steered painting towards abstraction, he became a founding member of the Expressionists movement – Der Blaue Reiter in 1911. Kandinsky’s paintings are colourful, bold and of an non-objective subject, meaning there is not a recognisable form within the composition.
“Everything starts from a dot.” Kandinsky
Some words by 50 Modern Artists You Should Know, Prestel
Some interesting facts on… Toulouse-Lautrec
Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec
Movement: Post Impressionism, Art Nouveau
Born in France in 1864
In 1881 Toulouse-Lautrec travels to Paris
During 1882 he began working at the studio of Fernand Cormon where he met Van Gogh
After finishing his studies in 1887 he exhibited in Paris with Van Gogh
In 1899 he was institutionalised
Dies in 1901 in Malromé
Toulouse-Lautrec’s favourite subjects were of Paris nightlife, he began drawing and painting the dancers, singers and waitresses within the Moulin Rouge cabaret. He later was commissioned to create a series of posters of the Moulin Rouge, allowing him to make a living of his own. Toulouse-Lautrec found inspiration in Japanese art and became known in particular for his bold, graphic style.
Toulouse-Lautrec, alcoholic for most of his adult life died in his family’s home in Malromé in 1901.
“I paint things as they are. I don’t comment. I record.” Toulouse-Lautrec
Some words by 50 Modern Artists You Should Know, Prestel
Commission, early stages
I’m currently working on a commission that will be loosely based on a particular landscape image. Here is a trial run for using a soft, blended, smokey style.
There is still plenty of work to be done before I put – brush to the recently bought canvas.
Some interesting facts on… Seurat
Georges Seurat
Movement: Post-Impressionism
Born in Paris in 1859.
In 1878 attended Ècole des Beaux-Arts.
Served Military service during 1879.
His first major painting Bathers at Asniéres (below left) was rejected by the Paris Salon in 1884.
He then went onto become co-founder of the Société des Artistes Indépendants.
In 1886 La Grande Jatte (below right) was exhibited for the first time.
His partner gave birth to their son in 1890.
Dies in 1891 in Paris.
Seurat’s unique painting style was called Pointillism, this style involved him covering the canvas in tiny dots placed very close to each other. Whilst studying Seurat developed an interest in colour, he studied the theory of light and took a scientific approach to painting. He would take the colours back to basics and use them in a way to create shapes that came alive when viewed at a distance.
“Some say they see poetry in my paintings; I see only science.” Seurat
Some words by 50 Modern Artists You Should Know, Prestel
Some interesting facts on… Van Gogh
Vincent Van Gogh
Movement: Post Impressionism
Born in Holland in 1853.
1886 moves to Paris which results in him meeting the Impressionists.
Travels to Arles, France in 1888 where he finds his style.
Also during 1888 he is visited by Gaugin in The Yellow House.
1889 he is admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
Dies in 1890 in Auvers-sur-Oise.
Van Gogh was primarily self taught and did not start painting until his late twenties, with most of his well known pieces being produced in his last few years. His early subjects were based on the local community and from this came his first major piece The Potato Eaters (below), his palette during this time was quite dark and earthy.
Van Gogh was introduced to the Impressionists through his brother Theo who ran an art gallery, his style began to develop and his colours became lighter and his brushstrokes became looser. After leaving the psychiatric hospital he continued to paint in what became a very recognisable style, The Starry Night (below) is a prime example of this style. In the summer of 1890 Van Gogh shot himself and died, relatively unknown.
“A good picture is equivalent to a good deed” Van Gogh
Some words by 50 Modern Artists You Should Know, Prestel
Some interesting facts on… Monet
Claude Monet
Movement: Impressionism
Born in Paris in November 1840.
During 1872 he painted landscapes whilst living on his boat.
Impression, Sunrise is exhibited at the first Impressionists exhibition in 1874.
In 1883 Monet rents a house in Giverny, it is here in the garden that the series of paintings Water Lilies were produced.
During 1900 his eyesight declined as a result of illness.
Dies in 1926 in Giverny.
Monet, a key figure of the Impressionist movement was mainly interested in nature for his subject. He went on to paint towns & countryside as well as bridges & boats. Once the painter moved to Giverny he began work on his well known pieces Rouen Cathedral, Haystacks and the Water Lilies.
“People discuss my art and pretend to understand as if it were necessary to understand, when it’s simply necessary to love.” Monet
Some words by 50 Modern Artists You Should Know, Prestel
Some interesting facts on… Cézanne
Paul Cézanne
Movement: Post Impressionism
Born on 1839 in Aix-en-Provence France.
Moves to Paris in 1861.
Meets his lover in 1869 and have a son together.
His first major exhibition is held in Paris in 1895.
Dies in his birth place in 1906.
On moving to Paris Cézanne enrolled at the Académie Suisse, here Cézanne’s palette evolved and he was now experimenting with lighter, brighter colours. From around the 1870′s he began to reduce his visual elements to a more basic form whilst focusing on still life and landscapes as a subject. This style can be seen in Landscape with Poplars (below), here we can see the building, trees and the water are illustrated almost as a series of blocks and layers.
“A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.” Cézanne
Some words by 50 Modern Artists You Should Know, Prestel
New commission is on my list
This latest job I have accepted will loosely be based on an image of an Australian landscape taken by an award winning photographer. I have only just begun this piece and after putting paint to paper I want to go back to paper for further sketching and ideas to develop this piece. This canvas is for a wedding present, I have until September to complete it, however I must put in the time now as before you know it we will be getting the Christmas tree out it’s box!
