This oil painting was created by Justin O’brien. I really like this painting as it has a lot of detail and is filled with vibrant colours. The painting is of still life against a window as described by the title. There are many layers of colours as seen in the branches of the trees and the mahogany table. There is a common light source, which can be identified by the highlights of the light colours and the shadows presented by the darker colours. There is a lot of blending of warm colours, which can be seen in the fruits and flowers to create a realistic effect. The straight blood orange wash for the wall contrast’s the busyness of the rest. The straight line and edges present must have been achieved by using masking fluid or masking tape. I particular like this style as it is very packed with colour and detail and can be replicated with watercolour.
The Old Plum, Edo period (1615–1868), ca. 1645
Attributed to Kano Sansetsu (Japanese, ca. 1589–1651)
Four sliding door panels (fusuma); ink, color, gold leaf on paper
This style of japanese painting is called Kano. Kano paintings were derived originally from Chinese black ink paintings but Kano Masanobu (1453-1490) and his son Kano Motonobu (1476-1559) used bright colors and introduced daring compositions with large flat areas. This style is usually painted on skill screen and walls. This particular composition is painted on four gold-leafed sliding panels. The massive black trunk of an ancient plum tree with bending, twisting branches spans across four gold-leafed sliding panels. The vertical and horizontal expanses of rock, the old reptilian tree sprouts blossoms, which convey the atmosphere of a cold, early spring and symbolize birth and renewal. I really like this painting because it is very minimal but very detailed yet very elegant which is effective. This shows that one doesn't need to fill the whole canvas or add many things to achieve something worth looking at.
#1
This sketch is of a child...