Devante-Project 1

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portrait-of-madame-matisse-green-stripe-1905Henri Matisse,  Portrait of  Madame Matisse (Green Stripe), Oil on canvas, 40.5 x 32.5 cm, 1905

MatisseDevante Owens,  Complimentary,  Acrylic on paper, 18 x 24 inch, 2015

I enjoyed this piece but I definitely wish I had spent more time on the underdrawing before I started painting.  The head is a bit wide in comparison.  I wanted to try to imitate the brushstrokes of Matisse but after a bit, I realised how much paint I would use and decided not to.  Art supplies are too expensive.  I also wish that I had done the painting on canvas instead because I like the feel of painting on it more.  I’m satisfied with the end result even though it is not something that I would ever approach in my own work.  I was nice seeing how Matisse used larger brushstrokes to imply form and shape without getting caught up in details.  If I could go back and do it again, I would dumb down the stripe down the center of the face.

2 thoughts on “Devante-Project 1”

  1. I really like your version of Matisse’s Portrait of Madame Matisse. The background on the original showed the clear colors with solid boundaries, which you successfully turned into the colors’ complements on your piece. In the original, her hair was blue, but while bright, it was still subtle and might go unnoticed against the bright background. The same goes for her hair in orange, as you did. Such a vibrant color would normally stand out, but you’ve mixed it into her hair in such a way that it feels normal that it is there. Same for her skin tone- the subtle purple is done really well.
    One of the things that I really like about your version is that you captured the expression on her face. Even with simple eyes and lips, she has a distinct attitude in the original that you managed to match, which makes her very identifiable.
    I’m not entirely sure how this piece as a whole makes me feel. Her expression makes me feel like she is waiting for something or wondering why I am looking at her. I feel like I have interrupted her which is a little weird. Regardless, I think you did a great job with this painting and your version was a successful reproduction of the original!

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