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Jessica Libor

~ Studio Journal

Jessica Libor

Tag Archives: fragonard

The fairy tale story behind “The Chase”

04 Wednesday Apr 2018

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, In My Studio, Inspiration, Uncategorized

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Tags

art school, classical painting, contemporary realism, fairy tale, female painter, feminist, fragonard, jessica libor, jessica libor art, jessica libor artist, marie antoniette, master copy, modern fairy tale, pennsylvania academy of the fine arts, rewritten fairy tale, rococo, rococo art, rococo painting, strong female lead, writing fairy tales

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Once upon a time, in a faraway land full of enchantment, there lived a beautiful princess named Cornelia.  Cornelia was the heir to the throne of her kingdom, but she did not think much of it as she was used to her life in the palace and enjoyed the fine clothing, beautiful fountains and pleasant companions at the palace.  She had never been outside the palace gates.  When Cornelia came of age, her parents began to introduce her to all the eligible princes of the neighboring kingdoms.  They came with gold and jewels and beautiful gifts to win her heart.  She danced with each one, but was troubled because her heart was unmoved.  She sought solace in the beautiful palace garden, where she would walk the grounds with her ladies in waiting, and admire the beautiful flowers.  One day they came across a poor gardener tending to the weeds.  “Hello gardener,” said Princess Cornelia.  “What a beautiful garden you have made the kingdom.”  The gardener was young and handsome and polite, and responded, “Thank you, Princess.”  As the days went on, Cornelia grew more distressed as she had to choose among princes.  She started visiting the garden every day, to talk with the gardener, who did not pressure her to make decisions the way the princes did.  From him she learned the plight of the poor in the outside kingdoms, the simple skills of gardening, and the joy of companionship.  She petitioned to open up the garden to the people of her land, for them to enjoy its beauty.  One day she said to him, “I fear I cannot choose a prince because I do not want to lose your friendship.”  The gardener did not say anything, and the princess was distraught.  The next day, she was to meet the last prince, and make her choice.  When he was introduced, he stood tall and in fine clothes, but held a simple flower as a gift for her.  Princess Cornelia gasped as she recognized him.  It was her gardener!  “Forgive me Princess,” he said.  “I am Prince Louis, from a neighboring kingdom.  I wanted not only a good alliance, but also love, so I hid my true identity so that we could see what friendship we could have.  I am and will always be, your humble servant.”

I hope you enjoyed this little fairy tale I created to tell the story of what I imagine is happening within this painting!  To order the original painting or the print, visit here.

Copyright story and image Jessica Libor 2018.

Copying the Masters: Part 1

07 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, How To, In My Studio, Uncategorized

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Tags

art, artist, contemporary realism, copying masterworks, creative process, female artist, figurative artist, fragonard, how to paint like the masters, how to paint realistically

Today I began copying a Fragonard painting.  Copying is a centuries old tradition in that it helps an artist understand composition, color, and form, especially if an artist is trying to learn certain techniques from that master.  I chose this piece to copy because I am interested in the coloring, brushwork and composition that Fragonard uses.

First, I washed the linen with a mix of ultramarine blue and green, using Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colors, very thinly, diluted with odorless turpenoid.

Next, I began sketching out the forms using burnt umber and a small brush, also diluted with mineral spirits.

From there, I began painting from the back to the front of the painting (from the background to the foreground).

First the darks, then the lights, getting progressively more detailed.

Part 2 to come!

Jessica Libor

www.jessicalibor.com

Versailles Secret Garden

27 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by Jessica Libor in Inspiration

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art and fashion, Christian Dior, Dior, Dior Couture, Dior fall collection, fragonard, rococo art, rococo painting, Secret Garden Dior, The Swing, Versailles

There are so many things  I love about this video.  The artistry, storytelling, feeling of mystery and enchantment, and luxury all pull you in.  Enjoy this fashion/beauty piece by Christian Dior–ladies let it inspire you be alright with feeling fabulous and not apologize for it!

The video reminds me of an art piece I love–by Fragonard.  It’s called The Swing.  I think it’s easy to see the connection in the feel of Dior’s Versailles collection and Fragonard’s vision.   It’s no coincidence that Dior and Fragonard are both French.468px-Fragonard,_The_Swing

I love how art and fashion inform each other so beautifully.  Now, if only I had occasion worthy of wearing a gown like that… 🙂

Image

“The Reading”…completed version

07 Wednesday Aug 2013

Tags

beautiful painting, classical realism, contemporary female artists, couple, emerging artist, emerging female artists, fine artists, fragonard, jessica libor, model, oil painters, PAFA graduates, painting with oils, pennsylvania academy of the fine arts, pre-raphaelite, realist art, renoir, romantic painters, romantic paintings, romanticism, young artists

The Reading, oil and gold leaf on board, 16″x20″, Jessica Libor 2013

There’s nothing like the home stretch when you’re working on a painting.  I’ve poured many hours into this work and have pushed it further than I usually do–which I think I’m going to make into a regular thing 🙂  Above you can see the piece as it looks today (please imagine it without the watermark!) after I put in the final brushstrokes.   It’s all in oil, but there are accents of pure 23 karat gold leaf woven throughout.  The pattern along the edge of the silk cloth is all gold leaf, as well as the apples and oranges scattered through the grass.  I’m happy with it as a finished piece, for now.  I’m planning on this being another one to exhibit for my Master’s thesis exhibit in May.  When I am putting this many hours of planning and execution into each piece, planning ahead is a necessity.

Many thanks to Todd Barrett, who lent his superior modeling skills to me for this painting and for a few other upcoming pieces.  Todd is also a Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts student who is a great artist in his own right, tackling tough subjects in his art such as city crime.  Many thanks to this friend.

Todd Barrett

Thanks Todd!

The other model was pretty good too, since she knew exactly what she wanted out of the painting– seeing as it’s myself.

This piece was influenced by Renoir’s paintings of couples relaxing in the verdant grass in springtime, as well as the hyperrealistic Pre-Raphaelite paintings of people who although are staged in pastoral settings, have unseen tensions between or around them.

Renoir, woman with a parasol

Renoir, woman with a parasol

Posted by Jessica Libor | Filed under In My Studio, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

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