A Renioresque watercolour

I saw a photograph on www.paintmyphoto.ning.com and was immediately taken with it.  Although the photograph was fairly recent, it had that old fashioned look about it.  This was just asking to be painted, so I did a watercolour of it tonight.

I am not one for painting flowers, in fact I am not very good at it, but my hope is that the little girl will attract the attention more.

Another Renoir

As promised, here is another painting dedicated to my hero, Pierre-August Renoir.  This time it is an oil painting dating back to the eighties.

My hope is that you will recognise this as a cropped version of Renoir's 'Luncheon of the boating party'.  My version has been hanging on my bedroom wall for many years now - and although I may consider exhibiting it - I don't see me ever parting with it.

The painting is roughly the same size as the original, (As far as the figure goes)  There were around ten figures in Renoir's original.  My version covers a small portion on the lower left of the work.

The girl holding the dog is Aline Charigot.  She eventually married the painter in 1889, and they had three children;  Pierre, Jean and Claude.
Jean Renoir, the second eldest son, became famous in the film world as a director, with 'Grand illusion' and 'The rules of the game' among his credits.

In 1962 Jean wrote a fascinating book about his father.  The book, 'Renoir my father' is still available on Amazon.  It is a wonderful story about life in the late 19th century.  Lots of facts - Lots of intimate details are shared about Renoir and his family.  It is a wonderful book to own if you follow the work of the French Impressionist group.

Five years of Renoir in one painting

If you have been following this blog, you will have noticed those lovely big eyes staring out at you behind the 'Life of Brian' title.
Hopefully any art lover, especially a follower of the French Impressionist movement will have recognised this little girl.
She is of course the little girl in the foreground of Renoir's painting, 'Les Parapluies'  -  (the umbrellas).  1881 - 1886
Here is the LINK to the original painting.

And here is my full version of the girl . . .

This was started with watercolour pencils - and finished off with watercolour paints and a brush.

Today's blog title. 'FIVE YEARS OF RENOIR IN ONE PAINTING' is all about the 'Umbrellas' painting.  You can see the change in style across the canvas.  The lower right part of the picture, where this little girl stands is handled in a loose impressionistic way.  Other parts of the painting were finished in a more defined way.  It is a fascinating painting to study.  I have seen this painting close up at the National Gallery in London, and it takes your breath away - as do all Renoir's works.
I have taken parts of Renoir's works and created copies of them before.  I will no doubt add my small version of Renoirs 'Luncheon of the boating party' at some later date.  That one was done in oils many years ago.  Look out for it here.

As way of a contrast - here is another painting I completed a few months ago.  I always enjoy painting musicians and this was no exception.  This is a watercolour study of a Saxophonist.  I gave this to a good friend of mine, who is also a music lover.