The Old Bricklayer
 

Hi, this is Egon, out for a walk to meet old friends on Anholt.

Oil on Linen 40 x 30 cm

Allan,

Very good to see your work again. I always look forward to your unveilings.
Another beautiful piece this one...your model

Carlos,
Yes, I like very much to paint Egon, he is an easy model, nothing can go wrong.
I am working up to this years exhibition on Anholt, though it is mostly landscapes, I want
to have him into it too.
The white background is a whitewash wall, I liked the clean black and white contrast against his healthy skin color and the cap is a traditional bricklayers cap... so.

The stretchers are available in all sizes at intervals of 1 cm, but I usually buy them at intervals of 5 cm. I stretced and primed the canvas my self and usually make a lot of them at a time. Lately I have bought a roll of Classens double primed no. 13, that's nice.

Thank you for your reply, hope that you are busy too.

Allan, I love this one! It is a very charming portrait, full of life and character. Really lovely!

Thank you, Enzie, for the kind words.

Allan,

Another wonderful one of Egon--the lucky man! I wonder if you feel as I do about Nan, that no single portrait would describe him fully. Each time you post one of Egon, I see a whole new aspect of him, though it is clearly the same person.

The paint texture and feeling are wonderful as usual. I am so impressed by your daring to paint white on a white background. You have done a beautiful job of differentiating the textures and brushstrokes. It is so unusual to see a darker, more intensely colored figure emerging from a light background. Traditionally the face is the light element emerging from darkness--with dark hair reading as part of the background. Your reversal is so successful. He is wonderful to look at. Your painting is direct and honest; his personality shines right out. Good luck on your exhibit on Anholt this year!

Great work, Allan !
I like very much your textures, and the black/ white contrast. The personality of Egon really shines in your brushwork !

Thank you, Alex and Marina,
I am so happy that you like it.

Alex, you are right about Nan, I do feel that Egon has so many sides and he is down to earth no matter what happens or who he talks to. He is always himself and always positive.
This portrait was inspired when I saw him coming back from "The Debate", the meeting place on Anholt, he always bring two beers in his shoulderbag when he goes there to get a briefing of the local news.

Allan, what an elegant portrait all played in three colours, white red and black.
Darks and lights are evenly balanced, giving solidity to the picture. Looking at it is so refreshing!
I hope you will post photos from your show
Ilaria

He looks like a dear old man... Lovely portrait!

Thank you, Ilaria,

I do try to limit the number of colors using only white , black, Indian red and yellow ochre on this one.

I find that things gets more colorfull by stretching the few, rather than adding more colors, by differentiation and integration of a few colors, like in a charcoal drawing.

I will try to get some photos from the show.

He sure is, thanks, Christy :)

Painting like that is the best possible justification for picking up a brush.

I couldn't agree more. Allan, this is a striking portrait. Definitely one to come back to, again and again.

David

A fine, fine study of character....

(Good painting, too.)

Thanks Steven,
I am pround to make you almost speachless ;) think t's the first oneliner from you.

I am right back from a nearby lake where I spent some hours picking up my brush, painting the light, leaves and water and a pair of swans.

David and Tom,
thank you for your words, I always enjoys to see your works, it is a great inspiration to me whenever you post new things.

Alan, this one is SO beautifully and strongly painted. I studied this one for a long time and found it very rewarding; I love to watch the way you handle paint. The white hat against the pale background is lovely.

Beautiful
 

Hi Allan,

Everything about this is absolutely wonderful. Your brushwork is lively and gives the painting a lot of life. Ver well done!

Joan

Thank you, Linda,
I do try to say, what I have to say, in the paint.

Thank you , Joan, my guardian angle ;)

I am glad that you like it .