Creating Reclining Nude after Breither – 27-04-24

Website link: https://corneakkers.com/2024/04/28/reclining-nude-after-breitner-27-04-24/
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Breitner’s Photography

This graphite pencil drawing ‘Reclining Nude after Breitner – 27-04-24’ is based on a photograph Breitner took himself. He was an avid amateur photographer and based many of his artworks on pictures he made. Not the first time I delved into his photos. Especially the ones he didn’t use himself for paintings I am after. You’ll probably remember my Geesje Kwak series. A couple of years before that I made Nude after Breitner’s Photograph – 22-04-17 (Sold)’. The latter was fun to do. However, I haven’t got the cubist feeling at this moment. That’s because I am caught up by a highly detailed oil painting at this moment. After two realist pastels I made last week I didn’t have much inspiration for innovation. Instead, just practising my fingers with graphite pencil and then suddenly I got an idea.

Hatched Strokes

For no particular reason I thought of ‘Geesje Kwak – 25-08-21 (Sold)’. That one I executed in my hatched strokes style using a mechanical pen. What if I do that using a Faber-Castell Pitt Matt 14B pencil this time. Thoses hatchings are subtle and therefor can look a bit weak tonally. I wouldn’t have that with this very dark graphite pencil. This endeavor became the core of this drawing. No cubism this time but a kind of impressionism. The tonality looks similar to ‘Duivelsberg – 25-12-23’. Completely different subject though. By the way, this photo is from 1890. It makes me realize how quick time flies. The female form reclining seems so tangible though. I got the same feeling with kimono girl Geesje. A full century between her posing and my gaze at her. Will people have the same regard of my artworks over 100 years from now?

Graphite pencil (Faber Castell Pitt Graphite Matt pencil 14B) drawing on Talens Bristol paper (21 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm)
Artist: Corné Akkers