My Atelier: MIMICKING CHARDIN

Jean-Babtiste-Simeon Chardin, the French painter born in Paris, 1699, again at the end of a century,  is unquestionably the greatest master of still life in the 18th century.  He has been called the painter of the French petite bourgeiousie.  His works are simple, depicting humble occupations. They are executed in a highly individual style all the while portraying Chardin's immense talent as a painter. Click on link to see some of Chardin's work:

Chardin's Glass of Water and Coffee Pot (oil on Canvas, 1760)

Diderot, French philosopher and art critic, was among the admirers of Chardin's still lifes at the Salon of 1763 wrote, "It is difficult to comprehend this kind of magic.  Thick layers of color are applied one upon the other and seem to melt together.  At other times one would draw near, and everything flattens out and disappears; step back and all the forms are re-created."  Chardin's technique at first glance seems simple.  His colors are sober and without much variation, but he sought to render form by means of light creating a soft glow while softening the contrasts.  His is a technique often copied.  


I thought I should try my hand at it.

I set up a still life arrangement of a blue glazed ceramic pitcher, mortar and pestle, and garlic cloves.  Sketched in colored pencil, then in pastel.


After, deciding upon oil painting palette, I transferred my drawing to a primed panel, and laid in the underpainting, by using Maimeri Puro artist's burnt umber and wiped out the highlights using a soft cotton rag.

Building the painting developed like so:

I think that I will continue to develop the shadows of this painting.