The Reader
So ok, I'm trying to smash my way through figuring out this composition, and while I work well under deadlines, the thing I'm noticing with these really short ones that I've been getting lately is that there's a certain amount of staring at the paper that's apparently not optional. Once I've figured out what the hell I'm drawing I've gotten pretty fast, but when I had a month or more to work on something, instead of maybe a week, I never noticed how much time went into building the image in my head before I even started. And like, I do thumbnail sketches, but when there's a lot of details that have to be visible they don't help that much.
Right. Anyways.
I recently discovered this painting that I really like and want to share the love.
The Reader, by Fragonard
Yes, the Fragonard that's the Rococo artist best known for his painting of the girl on the swing with the guy hiding in the bushes looking up her skirt. It's not my favorite art period by any stretch, and the kindest way I can find to describe it is "fussy". Think lots of pastel, white, and gold colors, everything horribly overdone and ornate. As Fragonard is probably the most well known Rococo painter, I've never been particularly impressed with him, either, and had assumed that all he did was art like "The Swing" I mean, come on, while it's not making it into my list of "Top 5 Classical Paintings That Are Unintentionally Terrifying", there's some serious disconnect going on between the girls legs and her torso, and the style in general doesn't appeal to me.
But "The Reader" is a whole different kettle of fish. It was probably done relatively quickly--they give a range for the date, but I'm thinking that's because it's not certain when it was painted, not that it took two years to complete--the paint is quite thin and there's places where the sepia underpainting hasn't been covered at all. I love how a lot of the fabric folds were done with only one or two brush strokes, yet they're still utterly convincing. Also, this is a really nice example of cool light/warm shadows--usually you see the opposite*. The subject matter and style remind me a lot more of artists like Sargent, actually. Plus, that girl totally could have been me 300 odd years ago.
*If anyone wants me to explain/elaborate on some of the more technical stuff, feel free to say so. I'm never sure how much things that I've known for years are common knowledge.
Right. Anyways.
I recently discovered this painting that I really like and want to share the love.
The Reader, by Fragonard
Yes, the Fragonard that's the Rococo artist best known for his painting of the girl on the swing with the guy hiding in the bushes looking up her skirt. It's not my favorite art period by any stretch, and the kindest way I can find to describe it is "fussy". Think lots of pastel, white, and gold colors, everything horribly overdone and ornate. As Fragonard is probably the most well known Rococo painter, I've never been particularly impressed with him, either, and had assumed that all he did was art like "The Swing" I mean, come on, while it's not making it into my list of "Top 5 Classical Paintings That Are Unintentionally Terrifying", there's some serious disconnect going on between the girls legs and her torso, and the style in general doesn't appeal to me.
But "The Reader" is a whole different kettle of fish. It was probably done relatively quickly--they give a range for the date, but I'm thinking that's because it's not certain when it was painted, not that it took two years to complete--the paint is quite thin and there's places where the sepia underpainting hasn't been covered at all. I love how a lot of the fabric folds were done with only one or two brush strokes, yet they're still utterly convincing. Also, this is a really nice example of cool light/warm shadows--usually you see the opposite*. The subject matter and style remind me a lot more of artists like Sargent, actually. Plus, that girl totally could have been me 300 odd years ago.
*If anyone wants me to explain/elaborate on some of the more technical stuff, feel free to say so. I'm never sure how much things that I've known for years are common knowledge.