International Artist – June-July 2019

Composition and surface division is
essential.  e choice of lighting is easy
to control. Not needing a live model
means you can work on the painting
over a long period. And you don’t need
the help of photographic reference
material. (Although with this still life,
I did use some photos for the leaves,

which soon started to wilt.)

For the composition, I made a study

with charcoal on paper; this helped me

determine the dimensions of the panel.

 e long branch on the table brought

to mind a reclining nude. I wanted to

keep this still life as simple as possible.

I didn’t want to  ll up all the spaces

with things, but to let the air speak.

I use a simple alla prima (wet in

wet) painting method. I learned this

painting process in Florence from

Nerina Simi. Born in 1890, Simi was

the daughter of the painter Filadelfo

Simi (1849-1923) who was very well

known during his lifetime. After

Oil Demonstration 65

Quince on the Tree, oil on panel, 20 x 20 cm (8 x 8")
The quince is an everlasting inspiration for me, and I have painted the same subject in a variety of forms. Here is a quince on a tree with the landscape of the
Bazois in the background. It was painted in 2015.