Reference

This is a picture I took from some "weeds" growing by the roadside, I like the bleak silvery colour in combination with the purple and brown. 

I tried to find these colours in my box of pencils, just trying to find the best match.

Colour studies

Sometimes I like to play with colour combinations and just try something. I have this tiny little sketchbook and I used a magazine to pick some coloured paper. I enjoyed making these and maybe I will come back to them if I need some colour inspiration. I have noticed that I pick green and purple more than others. Do you have a favourite combination?

  The combinations all have a different energy to them which I find interesting.

Floris Verster

Another painting which always draws my attention is this dramatic flower piece by Floris Verster. I have seen it a couple of times now, and I have to look at it for some time. 

Floris Verster lived from 1861-1927 and might be a bit unknown. He lived in the same time period as George Breitner, but focused mainly on still life. Here the fresh green leaves and dark burgundy flowers give some energy to this large painting.

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Piet Mondriaan - early work

Currently there is a popular exhibition in the Singer Museum, a lovely small Art museum close to where I live. The subject is the artist Kees van Dongen, it was interesting to see his paintings. He is known for the many paintings of women he made. The exhibition is really nice and complete. 

But strolling along to one of the other rooms my eye fell on this painting, it has a softness to it and I thought it reminded me of something. The painter turns out to be Piet Mondriaan. Yes, the very abstract painter, but his early landscapes are in a different style which appeal to me. I looked up close to see how he painted it, so talented. And when you look even closer at the clouds you start to see abstract shapes. It was a treasure find for me!

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