July 2015 - Ben Lustenhouwer

26 July 2015

Why I love impressionism?

I’m not a psychologist. I feel things and I think things in my simple way, and for convenience I assume that in this respect I am representative of a part of humanity. I asked myself: Why do I, and many others, love impressionist art?

Look closely at this picture and realize that, when you can see the two images separately you feel a kind of pleasure. At least I do. It’s similar when I find the solution to a cryptogram or a word puzzle. Recently I read this in an article about perception: “Studies have shown that when people struggle to find familiar shapes and are successful, they rate the work as “powerful”. Brain scans show very active neural activity as they struggle with the work. The brain sees the work as a puzzle and is pleased when it finds a solution”.

Often I have asked myself why I am indifferent to photorealism. In my opinion, part of the answer lies in the absence of the fun of the “aha” experience as described above. My common sense says: Everything is already to be seen and there is no challenge whatever for my brains. Therefore I suppose, I sometimes find photorealism boring.

Cheap mother wit? I don’t know, I am not a psychologist.

19 July 2015

How I prepare watercolour paper

This week I made a short video to show you how I stretch watercolour paper.

There are numerous professional grade, watercolour blocks on the market. (See my last post.) But when I use single sheets, I stretch it myself, on board. This method makes it possible to work even on low quality paper in watercolour.

First, I cut four strips of water-activated gummed paper tape at the correct length.

Then, I moisten the water colour paper with a sponge.

I leave it to absorb the water and to fully expand.

I stick the wet paper onto the board and let it dry. In summer this takes an hour, in winter more than double that time.

Once dry, the paper is tightly stretched.

Once finished I cut, with a sharp knife, around the painting cropping the paper.

Now I can make my watercolour painting with no problems. The paper will not wrinkle when it comes into contact with water.

12 July 2015

Painting a portrait in watercolour

“If you are self-employed, do you need a lot of self-discipline?” someone asked me a long time ago. “Of course!” was my answer, “because you need to know when to stop.” Unless you pay attention, you find yourself day and night behind the easel. I have had to think of that now I am seized with “watercolour fever”.

Two weeks ago I wrote you about a commission in watercolour. I finished the job but I could not shake myself free of watercolours as they captivated me. I attacked (after Van Gogh) a number of portraits in this beautiful technique. The working method in watercolour is opposed to that of oil. In oil you immediately start with the darkest parts, then the half tones and finally the lights. On the contrary, in watercolour you start with the light areas, (saving the high lights). Then the halftones and finally the darkest parts.

Already people have asked me for a tutorial and I have put it on the agenda for next year. Next post will be on the preparations for a watercolour portrait.

The colours on my palette:

Cadmium Lemon Yellow
Cadmium Red Light
Yellow Ochre
Raw Sienna
Alizarine Crimson
Phtalo Blue
Cerulean Blue
Sap Green
Hookers Green

I prefer to work on Arches France, Bockingford or Fabriano paper.

10 July 2015

Preparing Basil Pesto

Our kitchen garden now produces huge amounts of basil. I am preparing a little jar of pesto for good friends here in the village, where we are invited for dinner tomorrow.

Hereby my recipe.

Basil. As much as your garden produces.
Garlic. As much as you dare.
Olive oil. As much as you find delicious.
Salt. As much as you can tolerate.
Parmesan cheese. As much as you can afford.
Pine nuts. As much as you have. I had nothing and it was too hot to go to the grocery.
Mix everything in a blender and you’re done.

2 July 2015

Portrait commission in watercolour

Painting a portrait in watercolour. — Working on a commissioned portrait. Watercolour.

It’s been a long time since I made a commissioned portrait in watercolour. The technique is so different from oils that I need to change my mind substantially. I love this technique but I do it too little. So, today one of my good intentions: at least one portrait per month in watercolour. When the client gives me permission I will show you the end result.

I used watercolour: Rembrandt / Talens. Paper: Arches / France

1 July 2015

Country life

I have often shown you our vegetable garden and cannot resist doing so again. As much as possible, we grow our own vegetables. In the warm Spanish climate we can plant and harvest all year long. At this moment onions are ready for drying. Potatoes are stored inside and heads of garlic are strung up. Soon we will gather the tomatoes, carrots, kohlrabi, fennel and the beans. And in winter, of course, oranges. It is a luxury to grow everything you wish for your dinner table in your own garden. We really enjoy the country life!