Begonia uit archief - Begonia from stock

About twenty years ago I took some painting lessons, watercolour to be precise. I had not painted since kindergarten so it was a complete surprise what came out of it. A begonia wrapped in paper stood model for this painting. 

I liked the colours better than the watery effect, that is why some parts were put on relatively dry. 

After this begonia, it did not take me long to move on to acrylic to have more control over the results. Watercolours tend to fade when they dry. Nonetheless, I am still pleased with it; it hangs prominently on the wall in my studio. 

Makeover van portretten - Portrait makeover

These two portraits were made quite a few years ago. One is an attempt of a self portrait. The other just a head of an elderly man. I decided to give them a new look. One blue with an effect in the glaze and the other plain black. 

 

Witte albast II - White alabaster II

Last week I spent a short holiday in Spain, province of Girona. 

In the morning working on a white stone, in the afternoons I visited towns in the neighbourhood. 

The result of the carving activities shows a resemblance with another white alabaster. That one was made a couple of years ago. It seems I have a certain style in carving heads in albast. 

The sculpture was made in the open atelier of La Colina & La Miana.

Witte Engel - White Angel

This white angel is the younger sister of Black Angel. 

Both are residing in a garden. The former in Groningen and the latter in Utrecht. 

In the studio, before the glazing:

The making of "dr Teljer the hero" (3): close-ups

The first final drafts of 11 pictures in the series about dr Teljer can now be printed. Next step is to decide which ones will be enlarged to, say, 50x70, and which ons to 30x45. Below a few a close-ups which show what kind of functionalities of Photoshop have been applied. 

A boat in front of Teljer's house. Please note the life-like reflection on the surface of the water:

Medic man's suitcase on the jetty opposite the estate Rijnhuizen. Shadow and "wow plastic"-effect:

Entrance to one of the most ancient historical sites of Nieuwegein:

Teljer leaving house Doorslag where the notables used to meet and decide on local healthcare:

House Doorslag has a view on a curve in Vaartse Rijn. This ship has "poster edges" and is reflected in the water with glass effect, made transparent and fades away after some eraser strokes:  

Halfwitte schaaltjes - Half white bowls

Two different glazes were used here. The glaze was in two large buckets so that the bowls could be immersed in it. Half way in this case. 

The making of "dr Teljer the hero" (2)

I totally underestimated the amount of effort needed to photoshop some old pictures into new ones. It has cost me nights and weekends, and now I have a series of drafts of 18 pictures. I intend to select 9 (3 x 3) for the exhibition in July.

There will be three themes. 

1. dr Teljer's residence from which he fought for his mission. 

2. dr Teljer committed himself to better hygienic circumstances in households and availability of fresh water.

3. dr Teljer and the notables of Jutphaas who decided on local healthcare.

Kerkveld (theme 2):

Huis Doorslag (theme 3) where notables used to have their meetings.

Dr Teljer usually let himself be transported in a coach.