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Thursday, January 8, 2015

Gloria J Zucaro's "Composition Gauguin"

I decided to do another in the floral series using an "Old Master" painter's work as a reference.  I picked a Gauguin floral still life this week.  I researched his color palette and a little about his technique.

These were the colors mentioned.  They are oil colors.  I am currently using pastels.  Since an oil painter can make many combinations from these colors, I started with these basic pastels but added to them to get the colors I needed.
  • Prussian blue
  • Cobalt blue
  • Emerald green
  • Viridian
  • Cadmium yellow
  • Chrome yellow
  • Red ochre
  • Cobalt violet
  • Lead white
  • Zinc white
  • The basic colors mention in the article on Painting.about.com
  • Typically Gauguin painted outlines of the subject directly onto the canvas in diluted Prussian blue. These were then filled in with opaque colours (rather than building colour up through glazes). The dark outline heightens the intensity of the other colours. 
Here is that original photo of my set-up

The first thing I did was draw my original floral on the canvas in pencil.  I then added some new parts to the composition to mimic Gauguin's composition.  He had put a Japanese woodcut into the background and had a very South Seas looking jug.  Since I had neither, I made up an abstract in the background and added a jug-like vase in the area where he placed his.  I then outlined everything in "Prussian Blue" as the article mention.  Gauguin's painting seemed very flat with no real light source.  He also had some stray leaves pointing up at his still life, so I did the same.  I used many of his colors rather than the Fall colors of my original reference.
Below is my first step

Next starting to color in the background.
.

Then I totally forgot to take pictures until I was finished!

Here is my reference from Gauguin


Here is my final "Composition Gauguin"
8" x 10" Soft Pastel on Sanded Paper Unframed.
Contact me with questions.
gloria@gloriajzucaro.com

I hope you enjoy my paintings :>)  Gloria

I was invited by Valerie & Susi after posting, to join in to Art Journal Journey.  Their site is featuring each artist's version of a "Master" painter that they like, so my current theme series fits right in.  Thank you ladies.  Pop-in to see each artists' rendition of their favorites painter.
I was also invited to share my work on "The Queen of Creativity" by Kate. Thanks so much!


48 comments:

  1. Wow I'd never have expected it to turn out the way it did Gorgeous!

    Hugs Giggles

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    1. Thank you. Yes, a lot of oil and pastel paintings go through a really ugly stage before reaching the final result. I am glad you like it.

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  2. Wonderful! Our challenge at Art Journal journey is 'inspired by the masters', perhaps you would like to link to us: http://art-journal-journey.blogspot.de/
    Valerie

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    1. Thank you Valerie. I thought it had to be a journal page..which I am trying to get the hang of this year! I think I will do it! Something new again! :>)

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  3. Just Gorgeous!
    This would be great to enter to

    ART-JOURNAL-JOURNEY-CHALLENGE
    as well.

    Happy PPF!

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    1. Oh, thank you. I will check the site. I believe I visited some people including you and Valerie for last week. I will check the requirements.

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  4. I love your Composition Gauguin, dear Gloria! Wonderful colors and composition.
    Hugs Erika

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    1. Thank you, Erika. At first I thought the horizon line and the Japanese wood cut in Gauguin's painting were right on center, but they are not! So interesting.

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  5. wow, well done! You did a lot of work for this piece...
    I get pressure (positive) to start painting again after holidays...

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    1. I agree, I get inspired again with a "new " start in January and hearing all the words of the year that people pick,etc. Thank you.

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  6. Gorgeous work, so beautiful!!

    Smiles, Saskia :)

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  7. Wow, beautiful work! I love the way it came out in the end!

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    1. Thank you so much, Julie. I am happy with it, too!

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    2. Julie, I tried to leave a comment on your site but I didn't really want to sign up for another account.(Disqus) Your work is lovely.

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  8. Ah,perfect,it came out brilliant!!! Happy PPF!

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  9. I like the way the finished vase and flowers are different from your initial set-up and I like how you took the Gaughin painting as inspiration and produced your very own art.
    Great result!

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    1. Thank you Sheila. I found it interesting to see how another artist placed his pieces in the composition and the actual still life objects he chose.

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  10. Beautiful work Gloria. I'd love to have you share it on my site too.
    http://thequeenofcreativity.blogspot.com/2015/01/express-your-creativity-week-2.html

    Kate

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  11. Thanks so much for linking to AJJ. It doesn't have to be a journal page, we allow canvases and larger artwork on loose pages, just no cards or mini things! Hope so much you will join us again! Valerie

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    1. Hi Valerie. Thanks for the info. I hope to do another "master" next week.

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  12. your painting skills are incredible! wonderful work!

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  13. ♥♥♥ thank you for linking to us !

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    1. You are welcome. I hope to do another "master" mimic next week

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  14. Beautiful! Gauguin has nothing on you, my friend. Blessings!

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  15. Hi Gloria. Amazing work! Love the colors you used. Happy New Year!

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  16. You've been busy. You've caught the essence of your still life.

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  17. Beautiful work Gloria! And I like Gauguin's work very much, great choice of reference ;-)
    It is not easy to be inspired by someones work and do your own painting in stead of copying.
    Happy PPF
    Ilona

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    1. You are right. Sometimes you get a little dizzy going back and forth between two references and your painting!

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  18. Beautiful piece, I think I like it more than the original one by Gauguin!

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    1. Thank you so much, that is really nice of you to say!

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  19. I love your take on Gauguin's painting! You did a great job, and made it totally yours!

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    1. Thank you! Today I started a journal page using some of your tips. I used warm acrylics and sprayed them with water to make them spread. When dry I will add the cool colors and then look for shapes to start my intuitive page! I am so excited. Thanks so much!

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  20. Very well done, your painting.
    I always love to see the individual steps of growing, as you show here. Thanks. Ulrike

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    1. Thank you Ulrike for taking the time to leave a comment.

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  21. Thank you for the website url. . .your painting is absolutely wonderful. . . what a great idea. I enjoyed seeing the progression, however, take more pics next time (((hugs))). What gave you the idea for doing something like this?. . .I am a writer (besides artist) and why I'm curious. I too get my ideas from everywhere, but for art is it specific for you? Blessings, Janet PPF

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    1. I know! But you know how we artist are once we get into the "flow" we forget everything else! I had a photo of a still life with a vase with flowers, a pumpkin, a pear and an onion. I decided to do it in pastel, but i left things out, changed the colors, etc. The next week I used the same reference but changed it again and someone thought it reminded them of a master painter, so it gave me a theme for a series. You can see where I started off about 3 posts back.

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    2. I did go back and check it out. By the way, the picture for the Jumping gal, I love the swinging dancers skirt and could see it in your art. The flow is beautiful. I missed that one blog and wanted to mention the gal in the white on the road. I love what you did for that pic. Thanks for the comment, yep, I've done the same thing with the same intentions. Blessings.

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  22. amaizing flowers painting,loved so much,very beautiful.


    xxx Jeannette

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