Thursday 11 December 2008

In the crypt | In der Gruft

Some of you might remember the coffin I painted some time ago ( see the label Decorative Painting) and before that I did a series of paintings in the Michaeler Crypt. Alexandra, who was in charge of the crypt, taking care of the restoration and doing the guided tours, commissioned me to do a portrait of her in her favourite environment. As an information for the technique geeks amongst you, it is painted only with Titanium White, Burnt Siena and Ultramarine Blue.

Einige erinnern sich vielleicht noch an den Sarg, den ich vor einiger Zeit bemalt habe ( zu sehen unter dem Suchwort Decorative Painting). Davor malte ich eine Serie von Bildern in der Michaeler Gruft. Alexandra, die in jener Zeit, sich um die Gruft und deren Erhaltung kümmerte und Führungen machte, beauftragte mich Ihr Portrait in Ihrer natürlichen Umgebung zu malen. Als Information für die Technik Freaks unter Euch, für dieses Bild verwendete ich nur Titanweiss, Siena Gebrannt und Ultramarin Blau.


The Crypt Goddness | Die Gruftgöttin, 100 x 60 cm, Oil on Canvas


Head Study | Kopfstudie, 61 x 43 cm, Charcoal and Conté on Paper

22 comments:

René PleinAir said...

in one word, ...

Marvelous!

and being a technique geek, awesome to do this in only two colors!!

What do you think, would this also be possible with Burnt umber instead of Burnt Sienna.

What a great piece of work, inspiring although scary as well.

rob ijbema said...

i thought my palette was limited
this looks stunning stefan,the difference between the different textures really comes out,the composition,subject and mood are eerie!
must be time to take shelter in the museums soon?

MANPOLO said...

Awesome.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful work, Stefan. Limited palette or not, it's a marvelous composition and beautifully painted.

Anonymous said...

Amazing, it feels so alive despite having only used two colors and white. You have to know tonal values really well to achieve the right effect.
Engaging and unusual subject.

Graceful, beautiful lines in the drawing.

Stefan Nuetzel said...

René, you were so fast with your comment!

Burnt siena and Transparent oxide red (because they are are a broke form of orange) are the complementary of Ultramarine blue and that is the reason why it works so well. You can create greys which lean towards the cool or the warm side.

Thanks a lot!

Stefan Nuetzel said...

Thanks Rob!
The textures were one of the major goal to paint, because this created the atmosphere.

Stefan Nuetzel said...

Manpolo, thanks for your comment and visit!

Stefan Nuetzel said...

Bill, I appreciate your comment and praise. Thank you!

Stefan Nuetzel said...

Hi Silvina,
working along Andrew Judd and talking to him about painting, I learned that the tonal values are the most important thing to care for in painting. Even when you work in bad light you can still achieve a good painting, when the values are right.
Thanks for dropping by.

René PleinAir said...

Thanks for you answer Stefan, I do wonder though have you ever tried Burnt Umber, it gives a much more darker dark I guess, ... more a black and white contrast I reckon, instead of the dark brown and lovely yellowish white.

What do you think about Burnt umber for that matter?!

Sheila Vaughan said...

Nue, the painting is wonderful and I really like it but I just love that head study in charcoal. It is so striking - has so much presence.

Ed Terpening said...

Wow, that's an amazing painting. When I first saw it, I thought it was a photograph. Nice composition.

Jennifer McChristian said...

Wow! What an incredible work of art!!
Love the composition too.
To capture so many nuances with so few colors is impressive.
Solid drawing too!

Michael Pieczonka said...

Wow Stefan, very solid piece. Great composition and values. I like the way you have created a bit of drama with her looking down at the coffin, and also casting a somewhat ominous shadow herself on the back wall.

Stefan Nuetzel said...

René,
I think Burnt Umber works also but with the Burnt Siena, you´ll get a brighter color and it creates a black with Ultramarine, too.

Stefan Nuetzel said...

Hi Sheila, thanks for your comment. I think the presence comes with working from life.

Stefan Nuetzel said...

Thanks Ed! I enjoyed your recent paintings on your blog. They are so full of color.

Stefan Nuetzel said...

Wow and thanks Jennifer! These few colors create always a lot of mood.

Stefan Nuetzel said...

Hi Michael, if you are down there, one realizes this special mood. All the sounds are muffled and it is so peaceful. Thanks!

Zafran ali said...

Wow, that's an amazing painting. When I first saw it, I thought it was a photograph. Nice composition.
Plastic Card.

ladyz said...

Amazing, it feels so alive despite having only used two colors and white. You have to know tonal values really well to achieve the right effect.
Engaging and unusual subject.
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