Late Sumer Scene

Oil on Canvas Board  9.5 x 12 in

I haven't gone in for 'challenges' much recently, but I had fun doing this -- for Daily Paint Works http://www.dailypaintworks.com/.  

Quick Sketch of Peter Paul Rubens's Painting of his Second Wife

Oil on Canvas Sheet 25 x 30cm

In 1630, four years after the death of his first wife, Rubens, aged 53, married the 16 year-old Helene Fourment.  Helen inspired the voluptuous figures of later paintings.

Helene is a lady I am anxious to know -- in a manner of speaking; as I've begun a large painting of Rubens' painting of her for the atelier I belong to in Bordeaux; which is serious and will take a long time.  I've looked at her a lot, in order to go on seeing her when I'm away and can close my eyes -- the tilt of her small black hat, the transparency of the material covering her right shoulder, the glint of her jewellery, the colour of her skin and many-hued hair, those floating ostritch plumes, and the grey-green-blue background on ochre and orange underpainting, the relationship between one thing and another.

This was done quickly, without drawing, a matter of taking a deep breath and just plunging in.  Good to do that occasionally. Rough work.  An exercise.  An approach.  She might recognize herself -- but only just.

Parc des Batignolles, Paris, 1890s; after Ambrose Andre

Oil on Canvas Frame 14 x 22in (38 x 55cm)

After a painting by the late and not well known 19th century French artist, Ambrose Andre -- typically Impressionist, an innocent subject, joyful and sunlit and full of colour.  I found this a challenge, partly because it is a much larger canvas than my usual.  It was done for the Atelier Magie des Couleurs, Bordeaux. 

After Willem Drost's Bathsheba with David's Letter

Oil on Canvas Board 10 x 14in (27 x 35cm)

I had never heard of the seventeenth century Dutch painter Willem Drost (c.1633-59), a mysterious figure, apparently a pupil or associate of Rembrandt, who died aged 25.  Works known to be by him are few; though experts now believe several paintings attributed to Rembrandt were really his.  He and Rembrandt both painted Bathsheba, and in the same year, 1654. 

The tale of David's seduction of Bathsheba is in 2 Samuel 11.

After One of Matisse's Odalisques

Oil on Canvas Board 10 x 14 in (27 x 35 cm)

'Odalisques' -- a favourite subject of Matisse.  He left his collection of them to Picasso when he died.  I enjoy Matisse's bold use of colour and asymmetrical compositions.

Flower Dance

Oil on Canvas 27 x 41 cm

This is a copy of a painting by the early 20th century French artist, Jean Puy (1876 - 1960), which I just completed for an atelier in Bordeaux. Born in Lyon, Jean Puy moved to Paris and exhibited at the Salon d'Automne in 1905.  A hostile critic gave the name 'Fauvists' ('the wild beasts') to the painters exhibiting, and the label 'Fauvism' stuck.  Puy befriended and was influenced by Matisse, Derain, Marquet, but was never more than mildly 'Fauvist.'  He loved life and painted in bold joyful colours.  At times he used simplified forms and produced an effect of blithe naivety. 

Copper Kettle, Apple and Chain

Oil on Canvas Board 8.75 x 10.5 in (22 x 27 cm)

My contribution to the Rookie Painters February challenge.  We were presented with a ravishing couple of photos to choose from -- objects sensitively selected and cunningly arranged to form a striking composition.  An engrossing challenge, indeed.  I found the reflections in the copper kettle and of course all those links in the chain, the most difficult.