“Summer; Nannies Nit & Natter”

Size 40″ x 32″

Acrylic on Canvas

Date 06/01/22

Suggested Min Price £150

Notes

From a 5″ x 6″ photo of a painting that I thought was by Monet. But others thought differently because of its shape and darkness. 

Could I expand it to the size shown? Was it too complex.?

After research I confirmed it was a Monet, called “Parc Monceau”, but was shocked to find that there was 1/2 as much again above & 1/4 as much again below this photo.  This was just the Central Section.

As usual I found fault with Monet and so there are a few changes. There were 3 black incomplete figures on the left hand side which I removed and replaced by bright red flowers to attract the eye.

Monet’s brush strokes in the very centre of the painting were inconclusive and so were mine. 

I did think of supplying more colour but at that period I suppose there were limited clothes and colours for outdoor clothing – though this was conflicted by the Nannies pale blue.

I lightened the path and Nannies to give more central focus.

At the bottom right of Monet’s painting is an oldish man in shadow – wondered if it wasn’t a caricature of himself?  I decided this was not necessary. 

But then impishly I added a caricature of myself dressed in denim shirt, jeans, and baseball cap, reading a large book from the library called “Monet by Himself” (published letters). 

There was to be no face but the drying dark wash created one – not me.  Spooky. 

I wish I had the patience to paint individual leaves like he does.