Showing posts with label oil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oil. Show all posts

Sunday, 19 October 2014

Rembrandt, His Late Works at The National Gallery, London until January

One of my favourite all time works of art is surprisingly a simple brown ink drawing of a sleeping woman by Rembrandt. Imagine my delight that it is one of the pieces to be shown in the latest must see exhibition in The National Gallery. Rembrandt, The Late Works spotlight a delightful mix of his paintings, drawings and prints. 
Only a master of his craft can make something look this effortlessly beautiful. The drawing flows like a symphony and satisfies like a lullaby. If you go please don't miss this simple of sketches. Sometimes its the simplest things that can give the most satisfaction.



Rembrandt’s later years were turbulent and marked with controversy, but they also produced some of his most soulful, deeply moving and strikingly modern works.Having already suffered the early loss of his wife and three of their children, Rembrandt’s later years were burdened with bankruptcy, acrimonious legal proceedings with a former lover, and the loss of his common-law wife and only remaining son. However, far from diminishing as he aged, Rembrandt’s creativity gathered new energy.


From the 1650s until his death in 1669, Rembrandt pursued an artistic style that was expressive and radical. His bold manipulation of printing and painting techniques and progressive interpretations of traditional subjects inspired generations of artists, earning him a reputation as the greatest master of the Dutch Golden Age.

Through famous masterpieces and rare drawings and prints, ‘The Late Works’ examines the themes that preoccupied Rembrandt as he grew older: self-scrutiny, experimentation, light, observation of everyday life and even other artists’ works; as well as expressions of intimacy, contemplation, conflict and reconciliation. 

“Even three-and-a-half centuries after his death, Rembrandt continues to astonish and amaze. His technical inventions, and his profound insight into human emotions, are as fresh and relevant today as they were in the 17th century.”

‘Rembrandt: The Late Works’, organised by the National Gallery, London and the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, offers you an opportunity to experience the passion, emotion and innovation of the great master.

If you want to see an interesting documentary go to iplayer for a passionate interpretation of his late works. 
Schama On Rembrandt

Saturday, 10 May 2014

Lecture given by Lady Sheila Hale about Titian at Swansea University

Went to a fascinating lecture given by the delightful Lady Sheila Hale about Titian at Swansea University tonight. Beautiful paintings by an enigmatic artist. It was wonderful to see his work chronologically and how he developed as an artist. Also the lecture was peppered with delightful little stories such as the Titian which is now slightly damaged due to it being kept in the owners bathroom for 20 years!!

 The Venetians were certainly a spicy lot, I think there must have been something in the water due to the many nudes Titian was commissioned to paint alongside his portraits and religious work. 
One of my favourites is The Venus of Urbino which strongly influenced one of my favourite paintings of all time, The Rockeby Venus by Velasquez. I love the flowing lines of the pose. 


Quite interesting that Titian was not know to be a master draughtsman, in fact Michelangelo berated him for not drawing enough! I think you'll agree he seemed to get by ;)

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Bill Wyman at Swansea Grand Theatre

Bill Wyman and The Rhythm Kings performed at Swansea Grand Theatre at the end of 2009. I was really delighted to have been given permission to capture their performance from the auditorium and backstage. It was a great experience to watch a truly rocking performance and the packed house came alive with their fantastic music.

I wanted to capture them "performing" rather than in a set pose and chose oils to do this.
You can see one of my paintings below of the group and a portrait of Bill Wyman on my Theatre page.
To my delight Bill loved the paintings so much he and his band member Terry Taylor have now 2 of the paintings in their own collection and Bill has featured me in his blog on his official website. See link below under Sept 3-6 2010
http://www.billwyman.com/site/blog/628

The musicians in my painting of The Rhythm Kings are, from left to right, Terry Taylor on guitar, Frank Meade on clarinet and Nick Payne on saxophone.
Picture
The Rhythm Kings

post from 2011

Tuesday, 29 October 2013

My Portrait in Bill Wyman's Scrapbook

Former Rolling Stones guitarist and founder of The Rhythm Kings Bill Wyman is currently working on the imminent release of a picture book about his extraordinary life, entitled “Scrapbook”.

I was thrilled to be asked for my painting of him, which is now in Bill's collecition, to be included in his book!
Of course I said yes!
It will be releaseed on March 25th

http://www.concertlive.co.uk/books/billwyman/