London School Girl
 

Upon returning to Maastricht after an enjoyable and inspirational stay with my parents in Washington, I finished up this oil portrait of

Scott, for some reason I don't see an attachment with your post but I went to your website and looked at the painting. It is lovely. I love the look and feel of your portraits. They have such a beautiful dignity about them. I love the contrast of the red dress with the blue ribbon in her boater. I only hope to be able to one day paint half as well as you.

Scott,

This may be my favorite of yours so far - it's just gorgeous.

You may be throwing your hands up in frustration, but what I'm seeing is just luscious.

Jean

Dear Scott,

Like Kim has expressed, this may be my favorite painting of yours; it is simply breathtaking! The care and design you have put into this portrait are beyond emulation (and there are many friends and admirers of you who would love to paint this well!). Despite your caveats above, I think these images you have posted reproduce and represent your work reasonably well, at least on my monitor (Lindsay's flesh tones look as fresh as other masterworks that have preceded hers; the boater hat ribbon is clearly blue as it hangs down in the back, and I detect no suggestion of lipstick. I can only speculate that the verity of the red in her dress is on cue to calibration as well). This portrait is elevating and so inspirational. If you ask me, I will assert you have significantly raised the bar for the rest of us.

A high point of this sweltering hot season came just last Monday, when the opportunity finally fell into place to meet you in person, as you summered with your family in Maryland. Suffice to say, an entire afternoon and evening became lost in deep conversations on art and painting. I wish I had a stenographer along! It was a treat to finally see a number of your acclaimed masterpieces tangeable to the point where I could actually hold them and study them in the afternoon light. I saw one the same as this favorite of mine! This is even more breathtaking in person. You and your family were more than gracious and generous in your reflections upon my painting Apotheoun. I am just sorry our conversations and discussions could not have been extended another day. I have been truly inspired by our august meeting.

To all who are viewing this latest masterpice of Scott's, let me declare (based on my firsthand observation) that he imparts a level of unexpected depth and personal verity in his portraits that are unique, original, and beyond emulation. The technique and brilliant talent he employs is well worth our attention and appreciation.

I say bravo on an enchanting and wonderfully captivating portait of a London School Girl. She is already a classic.

Humbly,

Garth




PS: For some reason, I no longer see the complete set of posted images above using I.E. as the browser (although originally, I did see everything). However everything looks perfect using Safari as the browser (Macintosh). I hope I am alone in this little upload corruption bug. Otherwise, everyone check out Safari or another alternative browser, for better luck in viewing this.

Safari

Netscape works too, but the text is less clear.

I keep coming back to look at that face closeup, Scott. That soft lost edge on our left as it meets the background is perfectly done, as is all the subtle modeling in the face (especially that nose). I love her expression and the quiet winsome pose, nothing cloying, garish or too-cute. I wish I had painted this, Scott, it's very beautiful.

Dear Brenda, Kim, Jean, Linda and Garth:

When someone says,

Scott, this is so beautifully done. I love the way you've positioned her and the closeups of her face are just so subtle and sweet. There's something very charming and nostalgic about this. Beautiful!

Scott, this truly is a timeless portrait. I love her pondering, sensitive pose and find your color choices just beautiful. The tiny flower adds a nice touch and great symbolism.

Ah, you got her soul not just her image. Just wonderful!

Such quiet dignity
 

Scott, your painting is truly amazing. I too love the soft edges as the face turns away from us. And the value control around the nose with the found and lost edges take my breath away. This painting makes me want to hug this child. Her innocence with such dignity capture the essence and beauty of childhood. Wow, I stand if awe. I am inspired anew to paint with quiet reserve. So strong, thank you for sharing it with us.

Scott,

What a breathtaking delight to open up to!! I don't know what I can add except that it is also my favorite painting of yours. I love seeing all your work, but this far surpassing every previous painting, the subject, the colors, the emotion, composition, is all tender, in a very understated way, which is what I love about it. Her expression and her pose is so subtle and the way you handled her sweetness was with great care.

Bravo!!!

Dear Scott,

It is such a privilege to see your work. This painting (as are all your paintings) is a semester's work in studying edges. I doubt I could be more eloquent than the preceding posts, I just know what this little child's skin would feel like if I touched it. I so wish I could have met you as well.

As you might guess, this is my SECOND favorite painting of yours.

Scott,

Such delicacy, as fresh picked as the flower in her hand.

Wow! Thank you all. I am deeply moved by your reactions.

Bart used the phrase

Scott,

You could have so easily painted this girl in a navy blue dress, but you didn't! I love the way you have taken a classic theme and injected a totally original viewpoint. Her red dress is so personal, and so is her expression. And it's beautifully painted with lovely edges and subtleties of light and color. I can see why everyone is raving about it. I'm sure it is even better in person.

Alex

Thank you Alexandra. I had in fact considered painting her dress blue making life easier. Deciding to use the Golden Barok red set up a challenging problem establishing a harmonious background.

I like backgrounds which change gradually in value and color. I decided on a greenish gray, green being the compliment of red. On the viewer's left I exposed the reddish orange ground the panel was prepared with lowering its value allowing me to go from dark to light. Then moving behind the figure with the negative triangular spaces produced by her hat ribbon and dress, the gray becomes more bluish. The idea was that the red, green and blue of the background would harmonize with the colors of the figure. What (I think) produced the "stillness" of the portrait was the greenish gray background and perhaps her expression.

So very British, so very Bartner -- and so very perfect!

Scott,

What a wonderful, timeless portrait. The sparkle in her eyes, softness of the face, and gentle cool lights are reminiscent of works by the Dutch Old Masters. Truly an inspiring piece!

Sincerely,

Scott.,

if it's the veggie burgers that make you a painter from another planet I would definetely quit the Italian food!

Can't wait to see your works on display in London.

Am now with dial up connection in the Tuscan countryside, but it was worth waiting ages to have another look to this masterpiece.

Ilaria

Thank you Michele and Richard.

Ilaria, thanks for your Tuscan post. As you know, many issues have arisen on this forum. The more volitile ones often involved giving up something. I can paint without Liquin, forego the retouch varnish, even cut back on the cadmium paint--but giving up Italian food is not an option.

Al Dente-ly yours,

Scott

Scott
This is what a classic should look like. I too wish I had painted this. The child looks so present....Ah, and a bleated happy birthday to you...(just read your short bio).

Carlos

Scott I am with Garth and Kim on this one... it's my favorite!

You have caught such a wonderful innocence with this young lady that just goes beautifully with your glazing. The colors look great to me so this must blow your socks off in person. Perhaps it will be hanging next to Garth's in the future!

Garth sure gets around... except when it comes to seeing those near his MOTHER! ;)

Thanks Carlos & Beth.

I know Garth certainly won my folks over. After he left, my father hit me over the head with a rolled up newspaper yelling, "why can't you paint like that?!"

What?!

I had better have a talk with your father. Surely you exaggerate!

That sounds just like a line my dearly departed father would have uttered!

Actually the ghost of my father soon thereafter paid me a visit, imploring me to paint from the superior example of Scott Bartner.

Scott, it was such a treat getting to meet you and your family. I enjoyed the stimulating conversations your father had with us in his studio loft.

Garth ;)

Garth, how exactly are you employing that Blockx Ambre dissous?
The pleasure was ours. Perhaps next time if my father gets around to straightening up his studio, we'll have more room to carry on a conversation.