Yesterday in London

Sargent in the Tate

I was in London this week for a portrait commission. There and back in two days. I hope to show you later some of this very interesting assignment. I visited the client in his office in the Millbank Tower.

Of course I did not miss the opportunity to enter the Tate, as it is next door after all. I went directly to the Singer Sargents. I admit it: I’m quite the monomaniac sometimes. I took some pictures and I include them here with some comments. I am safely back home now and return to work with new enthusiasm, kindled by our eternal hero John Singer Sargent.

Mrs. Robert Harrison by Singer Sargent
Poor Mrs. Robert Harrison, dazzlingly beautiful dressed in her red and white gown, hung too high to be admired in detail.
Mrs Carl Meyer. Singer Sargent, Tate Gallery London
Mrs. Carl Meyer, would she have complained about her mustache?
Mrs. Carl Meyer. by John Singer Sargent. Tate Gallery London.
Look closely at the necklace: clarity of expression!!
tate-3
Rule of thumb: lights are cool, shadows are warm, deep shadows are hot.

Colours in the background

colours in the background

‘What do you do with the background in a portrait painting?’  I hear this question often. The answer varies. I usually base it on what I see in the room. The colour of the surroundings, the wall, a cupboard, a curtain; I use the colours but sometimes blur the objects. What I often do is repeat some of the hues of the face into the background. This portrait shows the “echo trick” clearly. See also this post.

Colours in the background as an echo of hues in the face
Colours in the background as an echo of hues in the face

Why is this solution sometimes so effective? Colour balance has to do with mutual relationship. Usually I explain it this way: My colour scheme is based on colours that are members of the same family.

Introducing my wife

presenting my wife

I have not often told you about Helma, my wife. She is a sculptress. In the past she has made some commissions of large dimensions.

First step
First-step.  Painted steel. 300 x 650 x 800 cm

The picture shows a sculpture from 1986, located in the city of Utrecht, Holland. It’s titled First Step. The contrast between her work and my portrait painting is that of abstract versus figurative, that is clear. About this opposition Salvador Dali says:¨It is either easy or impossible”; it has never been an obstacle between us. Her work has broadened my view. I am always fascinated how she responds to an event or a memory by making a piece of art without the need to create an image of the real world. Check out her website:  www.helmavanrens.com

Props in a portrait

props in a portrait

As you already know, I work almost exclusively on commission. It sometimes happens that a client wants to see a detail added to the portrait. An object that the person is very attached to or something that refers to his or her profession. I am always careful about this and wary of it as I do not think it necessary. If I cannot dissuade the sitter, I make the object or detail as unobtrusive as possible. The girl in this portrait plays in a circus as a clown, in her spare time. I did not want to depict her completely dressed up. She only holds a red clown´s nose in her hand. It’s a reference to her hobby, but she herself is the protagonist.

props in a portrait
props in a portrait