Artist Inspiration
The artist I chose is Anna Rose Bain, who is renowned for her realistic and in depth paintings. Living in Garland, Texas, with her husband and daughter. Born in 1985, Bain enjoyed sketching and drawing and was encouraged by her painter grandfather to pursue an artistic hobby. By taking in requests to draw from storybooks, Bain wanted to shift her focus to more realistic portraits. Being homeschooled until high school, Bain attended Hillsdale College, where she majored in art and took up oil painting,
Bain’s current artworks are based around her desire to represent her love for beauty, as well as her appreciation for God’s work. Ultimately, Bain’s oil painting are her meticulous effort to apply her respect and fondness for all stages of life and nature.
Bain’s current artworks are based around her desire to represent her love for beauty, as well as her appreciation for God’s work. Ultimately, Bain’s oil painting are her meticulous effort to apply her respect and fondness for all stages of life and nature.
Techniques/Beginning Process
I felt that the aspect of Bain’s work that I became fascinated with was her landscape portraits. (However, I find all of her paintings to be mesmerizing and lovely). Nevertheless, this year in art, I have been invested in drawing landscapes, and I wanted to use this project to apply everything I learned so far.
Thus, I set my sights on European landscapes once again, specifically in France. I finally settle upon drawing a French cottage, because I wanted to incorporate architecture into the painting. Also, I just really love French cottages; I find them to be cozy and beautiful. I feel that similar to Bain, I wanted to find beautiful in both nature and building, which is this respective cottage does.
I began with sketching the basic shapes of the picture, which were the buildings. Afterwards, I added details like door and windows in order to make the picture more life like. Also, I drew some barriers as an indicator of which shades I should use to paint.
The type of paint I decided to use was acrylic, since I found it easier to use in comparison to oil paint. Also, due to the short amount of time, I wanted an easier medium to work with. Nevertheless, I developed different shades of green, red, and grey, since they were the core colors of the painting. My goal was to add some sort of texture in the form of different colors and paint strokes.
Thus, I set my sights on European landscapes once again, specifically in France. I finally settle upon drawing a French cottage, because I wanted to incorporate architecture into the painting. Also, I just really love French cottages; I find them to be cozy and beautiful. I feel that similar to Bain, I wanted to find beautiful in both nature and building, which is this respective cottage does.
I began with sketching the basic shapes of the picture, which were the buildings. Afterwards, I added details like door and windows in order to make the picture more life like. Also, I drew some barriers as an indicator of which shades I should use to paint.
The type of paint I decided to use was acrylic, since I found it easier to use in comparison to oil paint. Also, due to the short amount of time, I wanted an easier medium to work with. Nevertheless, I developed different shades of green, red, and grey, since they were the core colors of the painting. My goal was to add some sort of texture in the form of different colors and paint strokes.
Final Product
After sketching the outline of the French Cottage, I began to paint in the major areas, which included the buildings, as well as the greenery in the background. I relied on using the color grey the most, because I felt that I could create a number of different shades from that very color. As I mentioned before, I wanted to add texture and color to the building, and one of the best way I could was but alternating shades of grey.
My next challenge was painting the greenery. I'm afraid to admit that I was not very adventurous in this field, primarily due to my focus on the building. However, I tried to incorporate as much green as I could, because I still wanted to convey its significant role in the painting.
Finally, I painting in the other details, which were the window shutters, roofs, and cobblestone streets. In the first two, I used a bright red and a wine-colored red as a way to add bit more brightness to the painting. After using so many soft colors, I felt the need to mix in a more attention-grabbing detail. Nevertheless, I do wish that I had experimented a bit more with colors in this project, like beige or different shades of green perhaps. But, I do like the way the building turned out, because I personally feel that the grey colors gave it its beautiful and timeless appearance.
My next challenge was painting the greenery. I'm afraid to admit that I was not very adventurous in this field, primarily due to my focus on the building. However, I tried to incorporate as much green as I could, because I still wanted to convey its significant role in the painting.
Finally, I painting in the other details, which were the window shutters, roofs, and cobblestone streets. In the first two, I used a bright red and a wine-colored red as a way to add bit more brightness to the painting. After using so many soft colors, I felt the need to mix in a more attention-grabbing detail. Nevertheless, I do wish that I had experimented a bit more with colors in this project, like beige or different shades of green perhaps. But, I do like the way the building turned out, because I personally feel that the grey colors gave it its beautiful and timeless appearance.
Artist Statement
I personally feel that this whole year in art class I have been focusing the most on European architecture. Perhaps this stems from my subconscious desire to travel to Europe someday, or my appreciation for all of its landmarks. Nonetheless, I wanted to create this artwork win mind the methods I used all year in art class. I seriously feel that following my Venice project that I should venture into the other beautiful areas of Europe, which turned out to be France this time.
My main objective of this project is to convey the beautiful that Europe holds. I'm not trying to persuade anyone to travel, but maybe to explore the different landscapes of the world. Regardless, I do hope that I tried to capture at least a fraction of the lovely French cottage, which I really love to look at. I did not create this art piece with some sort of deep meaning in mind, but just as another outlet to express my love for European architecture.
I was really glad to have made this project during such a stressful time. I know this may sound insane, but the process of painting allowed me to envision in peaceful place, far from the anxiety that comes from regents or last minute projects. I did have a lot of fun in making the project, and I am content with the way it turned out. Perhaps if I had a bit more time, I would have been a bit more adventurous with the colors, but I am pleased that I practiced using different shades of grey, because it is a skill I struggle with at times.
Either way, I had a lovely time working on this project and all of the other ones in art class this year!
My main objective of this project is to convey the beautiful that Europe holds. I'm not trying to persuade anyone to travel, but maybe to explore the different landscapes of the world. Regardless, I do hope that I tried to capture at least a fraction of the lovely French cottage, which I really love to look at. I did not create this art piece with some sort of deep meaning in mind, but just as another outlet to express my love for European architecture.
I was really glad to have made this project during such a stressful time. I know this may sound insane, but the process of painting allowed me to envision in peaceful place, far from the anxiety that comes from regents or last minute projects. I did have a lot of fun in making the project, and I am content with the way it turned out. Perhaps if I had a bit more time, I would have been a bit more adventurous with the colors, but I am pleased that I practiced using different shades of grey, because it is a skill I struggle with at times.
Either way, I had a lovely time working on this project and all of the other ones in art class this year!