Tuesday 18 January 2011

A rejuvenating soak

"Don't be an art critic. Paint. There lies salvation."
Paul Cezanne

I seem to have a voracious appetite for learning these days and will devour anything to teach and inspire me in my art and writing. Another course started this week - though I doubt I'll have time to do anything with it before the weekend [pouty sulk]. It's Tam's course on Magical Mythical Makings over at her Willowing ning site.

I'm also absorbed with books, magazines, online pages. I just want to learn. It's never a chore - isn't that wonderful! When we really and truly want something with all our heart, then you follow that dream without thinking. Learning is suddenly relaxation - who would have thought that when they were cramming for exams as a 16-year-old! Of course, now I'm teaching myself only what I want to learn which I guess makes all the difference.

The last couple of evenings I've rested my weary mind in the pages of my sketchbook, transported into the world of the Impressionists. The wonderful Three Muses came up with the perfect challenge - to be influenced by a famous painting. It was a little hard to know where to start, but I knew I wanted a lesson from a Master. So, I grabbed some books and looked for something that spoke to me (the particular words I was after were something like "I shouldn't be too difficult to try and copy"). Of course, who can trust a painting to be so one dimensional?

Well, I picked Cezanne's bathers because I figured I could get away with 'sketching' rather than an in-depth painting. I loved how the lines around my figures were free and uninhibited by the desire for complete accuracy - this was impressionism after all. Staring deep into the painting takes you into the world of the artist - you almost get to feel that touch of brush on canvas. It was a fun exercise.

Top picture was my sketch - mixed media, mainly neocolour crayons, plus some watercolour and inktense pencils; next was the original by the master himself - as if you needed telling! (Interestingly, the version I copied from my book had colours closer to my own - I wonder which printed reproduction was closest to the original?); final two, I couldn't resist a little play in Photoshop (the bottom one benefits from enlarging).



27 comments:

  1. I am loving this SO MUCH!!!

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  2. I too love the impressionists. I love your rendition! Beautiful! I so want to try and be looser in my paintings. :)

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  3. These are wonderful - I agree with you, learning is such fun when the subject is something that makes you hungry to learn. Keep sketching and painting - your work is incredible...glad that you are having such fun x

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  4. You have really caught the movement and the sunlight. Great stuff.

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  5. Love this style and you have captured it admirably! I wouldn't know where to begin...
    It does look really neat when enlarged too.

    Love how you continually look for new ways to challenge yourself!

    Smiles

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  6. The drawings are great! And it's cool how each drawing, though of the same subject, looks different just because of the different material/technique

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  7. I love what you are up to! Fantastic interpretation of something that you are drawn to.

    I also am taking Tam's new class. Signed up yesterday. Did my first sketch today, biggest piece I have made so far. Fun. Look forward to seeing how you are inspired.

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  8. You are a breath of fresh air - always excited about your art and writing and thank goodness it is infectious! I love your take on Cezanne's picture. It is vibrant and colorful and fantastic!

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  9. I like the colours in your 'Cezanne' the best, Lisa, wow your art & enthusiasm for it and your writing is very inspiring!

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  10. all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I agree, inspiring! I have always wanted to do VanGogh's Starry Night... hummmmmmmmm
    cheers, dana

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  11. I love the Impressionists! The warm colors in your version are wonderful. Cezanne would be "impressed" with your painting too!

    I wish I had half your creativity and inspiration... I have the equivalent of writers block with my art. I'd love to join Tam's new class, but I promised myself I would have to finish the other classes I started first.

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  12. Lisa, I am loving the both of your Cezanne's and the sketch too. I liked reading your post too which is so full of enthusiasm and joy. Go girl.

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  13. I am "impressed", Lisa! Just gorgeous!

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  14. You are on fire for 2011! Keep it up!

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  15. Well, what can I say after reading so much information and personal facts.
    Glad that we are never to old to LEARN from each other and to get to KNOW our "three muses friends" a little closer.
    This challenge brought so many different perspectives above which I so appreciate.

    Your post is a great inspiration for me and I thank you for that Lisa.

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  16. Well, look at you! I admire your determination to "spread you artistic wings", and just look at the end result. It's remarkable. Good work, Miss Lisa! Thanks for sharing.

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  17. I think you caught the impressionist inspiration and flew with it...extraordinary artwork Lisa...excellent job!

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  18. ~soak up this burning desire to learn...may your hunger remain as it is truly beautiful what is coming from such...i am in awe at that moment of what you have shared!!! lisa thank you for your words the other day...i truly appreciate your heartfelt loving words...bright full moon blessings and much love and light upon you and yours~

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  19. You have really captured the mood and ease of these figures- a wonderful essence of impression and dream!

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  20. Stunning, love what you have done with this piece!

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  21. Your sketch is fabulous (and the photoshop versions too)! Great work!

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  22. Beautiful work! You've made such a wonderful picture, so Impressinistic too. xx

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  23. Wonderful pieces of art, the look fantastic.

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  24. Keep learning and keep shining. You're doing great! Awaiting to see mythical creatures crop up in this place. Well Done! :D

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  25. Hi Lisa..keep shining..creating and absorbing all you are passionate about..so wonderful and beautiful!

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  26. I could immediately tell that your inspiration was Cezanne...before I even read it on the page. Amazingly done...a beautiful Impressionistic piece!

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  27. wow - absolutely fantastic artwork!

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Thank you for your comments - I always love to hear what you think :)

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