Marco Ambrosio Chopin Walzer OP 69
Marcel Franquelin
Some of you might remember my last Art Work
"Far Away"
As you might have realised so far we don't add any fancy gimmicks to our site.If you like to see a little reminder of "Far Away" just click the link. A window opens, of course on your computer not in your room :-))) close it and you are back.
By the way GV is always Global Vernissage comment
This Time I like to share my new Art Work with you called "Pieces of my Mind" a self portrait with which, instead of showing myself, I present material elements that are either part of my life and/or history, part of my thoughts, and part of my own fantasy as well. It is also tinted with a humorous atmosphere, an exuberance of sort, since it is part of my personality. Through my years, I have kept many objects (such as my father's lamp from the train company where he worked is whole life), books, cards, letters. These are not necessarily of great values, but they are reminders of times passed by, good and bad.
I would not necessarily reveal the meaning of them, but showing them might let minds wonder. I also added element playing a more symbolic role, or just adding an intriguing note to the overall work. At first, composing the subject in real life presented quite a challenge!
Enjoy Marcel Franquelin
Pieces of my Mind
(Title of the new Work) - ( 36 x 72 inches ) - ( 91 x 180 cm )
So many objects, so many ways to organise them! Several photos were taken, as some elements (beer, cake, strawberries) would not have survived the time required for such a painting. The combination of different textures (paper, leather, brass, wood, food, liquid, glass, etc) was to guarantee me a great painting experience.
canvas
making the canvas
For making the canvas: I build my own canvas, using a very fine (and very expensive!) Polyflax canvas (P154U from Polyflax), stretched over heavy duty stretcher bars with copper tack nails (I know, I am such a traditional!) The surface is already primed and does not require any preparation. The tooth is minimal and allows for a very pleasant drawing experience.
MF The basic placing/drawing took several hours to complete, using water soluble pencils, cue tips and erasers. You will see in the work in progress, that I actually replaced an element ( a bust of Voltaire), as its white mass was to take way too much attention in the overall composition, and replaced it with a completely different object. The idea is to pile up all the elements, for the viewer to "travel" over them, not get stuck on any particular object.
Next Upload Thursday 12.07.2012
MF The grisaille is worked in several layers until the drawing lines are secured and the basic tonal scale is achieved.
GV Yes, you observe it right! The big white eyes of Voltaire are not anymore watching us. Marcel replaced the bust with a water pipe, as the white is too overwhelming in the overall composition.
GV Yes, you observe it right! The big white eyes of Voltaire are not anymore watching us. Marcel replaced the bust with a water pipe, as the white is too overwhelming in the overall composition.
Next Upload Saturday 14.07.2012
MF A coloured underpainting executed over the grisaille with heavily diluted paint took several hours to complete but now, the canvas is ready for the first coat of paint. TY for your Time and have a nice Weekend
Next Upload Monday 16.07.2012
MF The main goal is to reach opacity, with as little visible brush strokes as possible.
Once achieved, it is possible to detail/fine color tune the work with transparent layers (glazing)
Once achieved, it is possible to detail/fine color tune the work with transparent layers (glazing)
Next Upload Wednesday 18.07.2012
MF The lettering is particularly "painful', especially when light on dark background; I paint the letter first in white, then paint the background and repaint the letters
TODAY Next Upload Friday 20.07.2012
GV As we are preparing Marcel's next upload we would like to write a little comment on the last update. If you look a bit deeper into the painting you see some Art Books you might know or not Johannes Itten "The Art of Color" ,"American Realism" Mr. da Vinci, but there is one Book which gathered immediately our attention and if you look at the edges from the book we think Marcel is enjoying it also. The book is related to "Istvan Sandorfi", a Hungarian Artist sadly died much too early, on 26 December 2007 (aged 59) Paris, France. For us, one of the greatest Artists we came across. We would love to give you a link to a special site it was called "Friends of Sandorfi" but it is closed.
Who the hell knows why!? Well if you like to see some of his greatest artworks just search his name and you will get some information and probably you will find a few pictures with his artworks. We are sure you will enjoy it! By the Way we don't get any commission on Books we mentioned here but some of you might be interested. Well, before we get any request regarding this little bottle from Marcel's painting - it is a Dimple Pinch, it is produced by Haig, Scotland's oldest surviving Scotch Whisky distillers. We are curious to see the Bottle in the final painting. If it is half empty we will ask Marcel some serious questions. :-))
So thanks for your time and let's see the next upload on friday.
Global Vernissage Team
1)
Finale Note: I've seen many websites showing Istvan Sandorfi's beautiful Art Work don't even bother to mention his name. Well copy and paste seems to be much easier and quicker for some as writing Istvan Sandorfi
2)
Yes we hate Spam to. If you you like to have an automated update from Marcel's Art Work just click on Disqus the box with the Star ★ and choose your option
Who the hell knows why!? Well if you like to see some of his greatest artworks just search his name and you will get some information and probably you will find a few pictures with his artworks. We are sure you will enjoy it! By the Way we don't get any commission on Books we mentioned here but some of you might be interested. Well, before we get any request regarding this little bottle from Marcel's painting - it is a Dimple Pinch, it is produced by Haig, Scotland's oldest surviving Scotch Whisky distillers. We are curious to see the Bottle in the final painting. If it is half empty we will ask Marcel some serious questions. :-))
So thanks for your time and let's see the next upload on friday.
Global Vernissage Team
1)
Finale Note: I've seen many websites showing Istvan Sandorfi's beautiful Art Work don't even bother to mention his name. Well copy and paste seems to be much easier and quicker for some as writing Istvan Sandorfi
2)
Yes we hate Spam to. If you you like to have an automated update from Marcel's Art Work just click on Disqus the box with the Star ★ and choose your option
Next Upload Friday 20.07.2012
MF Here is an example on the bottle of Pinch: you can see the letters previously painted through the browns, which I will repaint over! Same with the books. Thanks for your Time enjoy your weekend
MF At this stage, there is very little details, but this part takes time as it is necessary to have a strokes finish (as much as possible)
MF Here is a picture of a typical day at the studio: my students go about their projects, I give a tour/inspection for each of them and then go about my own work; whenever they take a break, they gather and 'enjoy the show", asking me billions of questions!
GV :-)) Well! Well! Marcel you know the Song " Girl's Girl's Girl's " but I must say as i do know your site very well so I do know your students work and I must say they do pretty well. So don't complain !! :-)) Im sure that we will show some of your students Art Work on Global Vernissage after you finnish """Pieces of my Mind" For all Visitors have a nice Weekend and thank's for your time.
GV :-)) Well! Well! Marcel you know the Song " Girl's Girl's Girl's " but I must say as i do know your site very well so I do know your students work and I must say they do pretty well. So don't complain !! :-)) Im sure that we will show some of your students Art Work on Global Vernissage after you finnish """Pieces of my Mind" For all Visitors have a nice Weekend and thank's for your time.
Next Upload Monday 30.07.2012
MF I just put the last touch on the rifle!
This is a 1873 Henri repeating rifle. I placed it in the still life/self-portrait because it reminds me of my youth in France, watching the western movies and TV series; no other rifle has this "western" look that I cherished so much as a child.
GV This popularity has led the Model 1873 to be credited as "The Gun that Won the West", although there are some that claim the Springfield Model 1873 deserves the title, due to both the U.S. Army's and civilians' heavy usage of Springfields. Regardless, the legend inspired the 1950 Western film Winchester '73 starring Jimmy Stewart and directed by Anthony Mann. Mentioned In Wiki
This is a 1873 Henri repeating rifle. I placed it in the still life/self-portrait because it reminds me of my youth in France, watching the western movies and TV series; no other rifle has this "western" look that I cherished so much as a child.
GV This popularity has led the Model 1873 to be credited as "The Gun that Won the West", although there are some that claim the Springfield Model 1873 deserves the title, due to both the U.S. Army's and civilians' heavy usage of Springfields. Regardless, the legend inspired the 1950 Western film Winchester '73 starring Jimmy Stewart and directed by Anthony Mann. Mentioned In Wiki
GV comments on the last 3 Uploads
MF I started the first coat on the paint tubes. One of my favourite brand, Charvin, from Cannes, France. I like their unusual color chart and the texture of the paint. Considering the amount of lettering on the books, bottles, etc, the work on these tubes were quite a relaxing exercise! Keep in mind that this is only the first coat, the fine detailing is when glazing.
Show me the money!!! Now is for the real work! Even though not heavily detailed, the tone are challenging, and drawing Benjamin Franklin in all directions on wrinkled bills is some fun to have!!! These were the three most demanding bills, as the others do not show much more than lettering.
The full canvas so far… A few more bills and then the tablecloth, 72 inches of it!!! It is difficult to take a good shot under the 5000k fluorescent lighting and with paint either wet, almost wet or unevenly matte/shiny. I can't wait to get to the final glazing, when everything comes to life!!! I am really enjoying sharing this with all of you, it makes the painting less lonely. It is also fun to look back... Enjoy your weekend !!!
MF I started the first coat on the paint tubes. One of my favourite brand, Charvin, from Cannes, France. I like their unusual color chart and the texture of the paint. Considering the amount of lettering on the books, bottles, etc, the work on these tubes were quite a relaxing exercise! Keep in mind that this is only the first coat, the fine detailing is when glazing.
Show me the money!!! Now is for the real work! Even though not heavily detailed, the tone are challenging, and drawing Benjamin Franklin in all directions on wrinkled bills is some fun to have!!! These were the three most demanding bills, as the others do not show much more than lettering.
The full canvas so far… A few more bills and then the tablecloth, 72 inches of it!!! It is difficult to take a good shot under the 5000k fluorescent lighting and with paint either wet, almost wet or unevenly matte/shiny. I can't wait to get to the final glazing, when everything comes to life!!! I am really enjoying sharing this with all of you, it makes the painting less lonely. It is also fun to look back... Enjoy your weekend !!!
GV comments on the last 3 Uploads
MF I finished the first coat for the money bills (I do not like Benjamin Franklin as much, I hope it will pass!); It is difficult to keep it simple, without over detailing, as it is only the first coat.
I also started the tablecloth, which, even though fairly basic in colors for this coat, requires some attention with drawing corrections. It is getting exciting to get near the glazing stage!
An other mere 30 inches of tablecloth, and the real detailing will start! I am looking forward to add some golden tones to the tablecloth, fine detail the leather for the case and the shoes, fine detail the money bills,etc. A lot of fun in front of me.
I find this first coat to be the least gratifying work in a painting, but so very important; achieving opacity, establishing the overall color scheme, correcting things here and there…..
Next update coming soon
MF I finished the first coat for the money bills (I do not like Benjamin Franklin as much, I hope it will pass!); It is difficult to keep it simple, without over detailing, as it is only the first coat.
I also started the tablecloth, which, even though fairly basic in colors for this coat, requires some attention with drawing corrections. It is getting exciting to get near the glazing stage!
An other mere 30 inches of tablecloth, and the real detailing will start! I am looking forward to add some golden tones to the tablecloth, fine detail the leather for the case and the shoes, fine detail the money bills,etc. A lot of fun in front of me.
I find this first coat to be the least gratifying work in a painting, but so very important; achieving opacity, establishing the overall color scheme, correcting things here and there…..
Next update coming soon
GV comments on the last Upload
MF I finished the first coat over the Picture.
Next update coming soon
MF I finished the first coat over the Picture.
Next update coming soon
MF Now for the best part, detailing. When finally, each stroke is visually gratifying, each accent has an impact. I use a very simple method to do this. 1- I gently brush pure linseed oil over the area to detail, making sure to go past he edges of every piece I intend to detail. Then, I wipe off the oil, as if I had changed my mind. The extremely thin film of oil will "revive" the existing colors (the drying process very often dulls down the colors). Then I carefully add small details , using a fine brush to apply a mixture oil/paint very small amount at a time!). I correct/add tones and /or colors, sharpen or soften an edge. Once done, I usually carefully dab the work with a large, soft round sable brush, without dragging the hair, just touching and lifting the brush; this process will even out any difference in thickness of paint applied during detailing.
Marco Ambrosio Chopin Walzer OP 69