Creating Neo Deco – 03-02-25

Website link: https://corneakkers.com/neo-deco-03-02-25/
Print: https://corneakkers.com/print-neo-deco-03-02-25/
Printable: https://corneakkers.com/product/printable-neo-deco-03-02-25/

4th Drawing Appreciating Fleischmann and Bauroff

This graphite pencil drawing ‘Neo Deco – 03-02-25’ is another token of appreciation of photographer Trude Fleischmann and model Claire Bauroff. As explained in my last pastel drawing ‘Neo Deco – 25-01-25’ I saw them in Museum Arnhem. Why is it that I feel being attrackted to these artists all the time? To briefly sum it up once more: great chiaroscuro photography and composition. Claire of course is an artist and female dancer in her own right. Next to this, her slenderness is both very female and athletic. A reminder for us all, living hunderd years later, of how people can look in their natural glory. healthy and slim, not being obese.

A Drawing and an Oil Painting

As you true followers might know by know is that I always keep one drawing in progress at hand. Without one I simply would feel artistically forelorn. Since this artistic life is the only one I lead that means a lot. So there it is: a drawing and an oil at the same time always. With my focus on my painting ‘In Hoc Signo’ and Spring still waiting to arrive, a sort of a quicky. Well, not that exactly but I try to keep up the pace by posting an artwork a week. This makes sure I keep on thinking sphericaly like Fellini used to prescribe. If I keep up the speed the oil painting will be finished by the end of Winter. Then I can go and sketch outdoors.

Artistic Accountability

When you see these grand photographs of a century ago there is always a moment of doubt. First, why is it that all things nice have been done before? Secondly, what could I add to the splendour of such magnificent artistic motifs. My recepy is to simply start and measure out all proportions. There is always a slight mutation or deviation that slips into the mind. This way I came up with a series of vertical and horizontal blocks counterbalancing all things diagonal in the body. Initially I thought of executing this one in pastel. Then I quickly found out linear structures would become not enough detailed, even crumbly. Therefor I switched to graphite pencil, doing highlights in pastel pencil only. Last, the horizontal short line in the lower left corner is to counterbalance dark blocks in all other three corners.

Graphite pencil (Faber Castell Pitt Graphite Matt pencil 14B) and pastel pencil drawing on Clairfontaine Paint On Mix Media taupe paper (21 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm)
Artist: Corné Akkers