Thursday, January 7, 2016

PORTRAIT on Canvas - Henri Matisse REVISITED

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It's me.... Joi@RR - back again with another Henri Matisse inspired creation for you.  This was done as a result of a class I am taking through Nathalie Kalbach of N*Studio - Creative Jumpstart 2016. 

You can still join us - it's incredible!!! 

We are studying the artwork of Henri Matisse this week.  
Julie Fei-Fan Balzer gave a FANTASTIC tutorial on doing a portrait... and of course, it was Matisse inspired. 

Ok... so I am still totally in SHOCK.... seriously shocked...
Because.... me, myself, and I - did a portrait.

I look at it and think... did I really do this? Even hubby is befuddled by this new found ability!!!   It's wild and crazy and amazing!!!  

NO silly... I didn't mean my portrait is amazing - eheheheh!!!  Dear me... it's not amazing at all.  BUT... it IS amazing that I actually see a face staring back at me from my canvas.  I think Julie Balzer is a great teacher - for sure. Thank you Julie - soo much!!

Julie chose a Henri Matisse portrait and redid it... showing us how. 
Her version was WONDERFUL... it really was/is. 

I didn't choose the portrait she did... but did another one that brought back memories of my hubby's mother!

Here is the Henri Matisse portrait.  




And here is my take on 12 x12 stretched canvas!!! 




I began by sketching and without a lot of hope that I could do this. 

I used watercolor sticks here.  She looks pretty scary!!




I began adding water and more colors a bit at a time.  




I used: Watercolor Sticks, Pitt Pens, DecoArt Media Acrylics and lots of gesso for all my mistakes!! 

 I totally forgot about taking pictures... I was sooo intently trying to watch Julie's tutorial video and do each step as she did.  This is how it looked before I worked on the face/hair more.

There was no widow's peak and the hair was not puffed out as much. Plus the eyebrows and eyes needed help too.  As well as the ruffles at the neck and down the front. 



And this is a close-up of the face when I finished!! 


Of course, it's far from perfection.  Still - for me - who has never believed I could do this... it's nearly a miracle.  






I have traced faces.  I have used tissue paper faces.  And I have even sketched very tiny stick figure type faces. I even did Santa but he's all beard!!!  Never have I been brave enough to actually try to paint a face on a canvas like this.  And NO... it is not my favorite thing to do.  I would much rather paint "things" and "scenes" etc.  

 But... yes... I'm smiling.  And... 2016 has started off with me way out of my comfort zone - but I dared to try and it was worth it!

You are so wonderful to stop by and share my amazement!
Thanks bunches in advance for your comments - they mean so much to me.  My "reply" still doesn't work but again Thank You. 

Big Hugs. j. 


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12 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Looks really great, have fun with your new project! Hugs, Valerie

Nathalie Kalbach said...

AWE - you are the cutest- this is AWESOME! Hard to believe you never draw a face. Love your result!!! Thank you so much for being part of CJS16 Joi!!!

Fliss said...

Wow! Your portrait looks amazing Joi and like Natalie I couldn't believe you hadn't done this before.
Stunning results and lucky you to be doing such a course too.
Fliss xx

rachel said...

this is absolutely amazing - I think I prefer yours to the original! Thanks for your kind words! hugs rachel x

Vintagehandmade said...

Wow, this looks awesome! You did a great job, Joi! Love the result! Can't believe it's your first face drawing!
Thank you so much for joining in our Ring out the Old, Bring in the New challenge at Anything But Cute! Hugs! Branka DTx

Redanne said...

And it is a big WOW from me too Joi, your version is incredible - I think you can add drawing now to your list of talents!

Thanks so much for joining our 'Ring out the Old, Bring in the New' challenge at Anything But Cute. Hugs, Anne DT xx

sarascloset said...

Big round of applause for you, Joi on making your first portrait! Portraits are the hardest to do, so my hat's off to you! I wish I were in your studio with you; I can almost hear your squeals of delight when something turned out as planned or perhaps not as planned. I know, because I have been there. My dear high school art teacher MADE us do a portrait, and I did a self portrait, no less, in oil. Duh, What was I thinking. Very difficult. Hope I can find it...so much of my art I threw out, and now regret it. I also regret throwing out my classmate/friend's photography cards--they are world famous twin artists now. I was a silly teen! I'm a silly old girl now! Ha! Ha!

I digress! Lovely work, and I'm so pleased with the outcome of your hard work! thank you for sharing this artful experience with us at Anything But Cute! Hugs! Sara Emily DT

Pamellia said...

Hey Joi, you can delete this comment. I just wanted to chime in before it's too late this month. Our challenge is to use a new product...not a new technique. Any chance you used something new on this one?? It's so amazing, I hate to disqualify you hun. hugs :)

Jackie PN said...

Joi! You really did a marvelous job! Your portrait is beautiful!!
hugs,Jackie
ps...thanks so much for the Bday wishes!xo

Cuchy said...

WOW this is an awesome artwork. How beautiful portrait. Thank you for sharing

Words and Pictures said...

Beautiful - a huge bravo for your first steps in portrait painting - and what a stunning debut it is!!
Alison xx

Win Dinn, Artist said...

Wow, Joi - you've been going at it gangbusters! Love your self-portrait especially, and your word for the year is terrific. Burgeon on, my fabulous friend! xo