TUGGERAH LAKES ART SOCIETY
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The Very Fabulous Fakes or How to Copy the Great Old Masters!
by Leone Meatchem Lee has been a regular entrant in the Tuggerah Lakes Art Society’s Fab Fakes exhibition since its beginning. Here, she provides an insight into the ‘Great Masters’ and why we should all copy a ‘master’ at least once in our lives! |
What did the cities, or the great ships, or the countryside look like?
As there were no cameras before the 1820s, we would not know any of these important facts if it were not for the artists of those years. The "Old Masters" as they became known are the reason we have what are records, great illustrations of those times. I am looking at a painting of Marie Antoinette, painted in 1769 by Joseph Ducreux. Poor thing, sitting stiff with hair piled up high and huge crinoline skirts, possibly for hours, feeling very uncomfortable! How lucky we are to see what she looked like and wore! Not only portraits but important worldly events were recorded in the only way possible - by the artists. How to Paint a Fab Fake Although I had painted for some years, I had never attempted a proper copy, even as a great admirer of the beautiful old paintings. I spent a lot of my spare time painting porcelain and painted some old masters on large plates or porcelain slab, which was a totally different process requiring firing between each layer of china paint, nothing at all like using canvas or board. |
After moving to the Central Coast, around 1989, I came across a ‘Fab Fakes’ exhibition in a local school, displayed by the newly formed Tuggerah Lakes Art Society.
I was hooked! This artist couldn't wait to join the club and try a ‘fake’. I chose a beautiful painting, "Chloe" by Poynter. I enjoyed the experience of pretending to be the artist himself! It was so exciting finding a framer and having it made in a heavy, ornate frame like the original. The problem was, on driving quite a distance to collect, it was way too big to fit in our car! I was once again, called ‘an arty nut’ by my husband. Some Fab Fake Tips and Tricks from ‘an arty nut’. Everyone should try a ‘fake’ and hope like mad it turns out FABULOUS. But it doesn't matter if it’s not; I promise, you will feel good. Choosing a painting you really like is very important. If the original was painted in the very early times, when only a few colours were available - quite a few colours used had to be mixed. Do the same! It makes it even more interesting. You will love doing it and will always feel a special connection to the paintings you have copied. |
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