Painting Portrait Tips / Lots of information about how to paint a portrait
The San Antón fiestas Chelva is one of my favourite festivals.
With all people from the neighborhood we make big bon fires and eat and drink until late at night while music and processions come along. On Sundays we make a big paella and that is what I’m working on at the moment. Later this afternoon I will show you the video I’m making, so come back later. Continue reading “The San Antón fiestas Chelva”
Making a small doodle. These days my wife and I stay for a short time in Madrid. We are happy to celebrate the birth of our second grand daughter. Visiting them I made a very small doodle in pencil of the happy couple. Continue reading “A small doodle”
Of course, like every child, I was asked sometimes “what do you want to be when you grow up”? Did I ask myself the question: Me as a portrait painter?
But what is a portrait painter? the English Dictionary says: an artist who paints portraits
Drawing as a little child?
Sometimes I visit websites from other portrait artists and read the information they give about themselves. Often like: “I was already drawing as a little child, or I was born with brushes in my hand”. That annoys me and I do not know exactly why. Is it that difficult to write something more original?
Sometimes I wonder why I want to paint a good portrait. Where does that fervour come from? What about my portrait painting and inspiration. I’ve never been able to answer that question. And it should stay like that, I guess. That everlasting urge, that gruelling passion; I have learned to live with it. It was not always an easy road. More than once, I was jealous of people without any ambition. Continue reading “Portrait painting and inspiration.”
A few times I have shown the work of my wife . Now I show you Portraits in steel by Helma Vanrens.
You know she is a sculptress. Lately she’s occupied with the inventory of her entire oeuvre. I help her setting up the picture archive.
We came across images of some earlier work; steel faces. These “portraits”, sculptures in steel, by no means of course, have relationship with my work. Not in the remotest way. Although you can not say they are figurative, they do have a realistic starting point. I see them as metaphorical statements. I have always found them really special and they are very familiar and most dear to me.
Hieronymus Bosch and modern weird artists.
For next Monday, I have a ticket for the big Hieronymus Bosch exhibition at the Prado Museum in Madrid. I am very curious to see! Bosch is the pre-eminent painter of the most wondrous creatures and unusual scenes. Probably contemporaries considered him a weird artist. Museums and cities organize countless events and exhibitions to celebrate the five hundredth year of the Dutch painter’s death. Bosch is named after the city Den Bosch. Here he was born. He lived almost simultaneously with Leonardo da Vinci. He is buried in the cathedral of his birthplace. Continue reading “Weird artists”
It’s not always that bad staying away from home for a while. No homesickness, but nevertheless…
On return I appreciate my everyday environment even more. I see it all with a renewed look.
Early in the morning, before the day begins, I help my wife in the kitchen garden. And it will be clear, when you see this picture, how privileged we are living in this beautiful environment. You can imagine how happy I am, being back home again.
Pretty soon I will take in hand my brushes to start afresh.
Usually I start by clearing my studio space. Clean everything really well. Checked all paint and canvases. I see this activity as starting the engine. I enjoy fiddling in my studio before the real work begins.
You may have noticed I have no affinity with photorealism.
It is not about whether it just seems real, the point is that it is true and authentic.
The portrait below is of Kees Thijssen. Last week he died. He was my agent for more than 25 years when I was working as an illustrator.
I was about 25 years old when I went to Amsterdam with my portfolio to find an agent. There were three major illustration agencies at the time in Holland: Art Connection, Top Drawers and Art Box. For some reason I could only visit Art Box. There I met Kees. He looked intently through my portfolio. He was excited: the next day I received a first commission! And the week after two, months later a dozen and, over the years, hundreds and hundreds. We became close friends.
It has had some technical problems with the installation but now my blog features the (green) https and therefore it is more safe to visit. I was regularly asked, also because I sell products on my website.
This is safe now, so yeah, a big improvement.