It's a gorgeous Spring day and plan on painting minis outside today ....the expected high today is 82 degrees so its a perfect day to paint while getting a little sunshine and work done on my porch.
REAL TO MINI
How my brain works
Ohhh How my Brain Works...hmmm... if you're sure you want to go there... OOOOkay. Here we go...
Lots of people have said they enjoyed seeing the pics of my REAL LIFE SIZE to MINIATURE inspirations, so I went through my files and found some more to show you. I often have said that I get inspiration from LIFE... a book, a movie, fashion, etc. Now, with Pinterest [my new obsession] I found some pics of Real Life size items that I have seen in museums and in my travels that I can show how I translated them to Miniatures.
I'm super excited to show you these.
I suppose it is because I studied Fine Art in college that my eye is trained to look at details. I can find the most obscure "thing" in a photograph that sparks an idea for an entire collection.....It can be as subtle as a pleat, color palette, or overt, as in an actual furniture piece. The trick is to look closely...I do this so automatically and very quickly. We all do this... our brains are always taking dictation... the trick is to pull it from memory when you need it.
Let me show you some ideas and how my brain works.....
The Color
|
Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette |
Immediately your eye goes to the center pink dress. BUT look closely to the dress on the left. I love the color combinations and pleating. Soft Flesh/Blush Rose, with a deeper Peach, and BRIGHT PINK. Just the color combination alone is breath taking and to be honest would have never thought of it. This palette could be used in any Mini room....I'm thinking for a babies room?
Here's another color combination RED and PINK. Stunning chocolate brown tufted chair with copper tone gilding.
Look at these colors.... Oh MY
I love the vibrant orange and turquoise but look how
these colors are grounded
by the neutral sand color of the stone wall...you see?...I'm not just looking at the focal point. I'm looking at the whole palette. Simply blocks of color next to each other.
Treatments
I also look at couture fashion and period fashion references for print designs, pleating and draping ideas that can be used on a chair trim, Bed skirt, Canopy, or Throw blanket.
Magnificent pleating with fabric billowing for a bed canopy or bed curtain
In the Movie, Marie Antoinette's champagne color wedding dress had the most gorgeous trims. Literally I pause the movie, go frame by frame to look at a particular detail. The trim fabric was pleated, sewn down the center and the edges were slightly frayed. I used that technique for the edging of this silk organza bed throw, and silk taffeta canopy crown.
The sherbert color palettes used in this entire film to portray "youth" is INCREDIBLE and not the usual "patina" used in period films. The older generations of royalty are portrayed in Very deep dark rich tones in palettes emerald greens, black reds etc. The foods and floral arrangements are pieces of art on their own. If you love Minis, no matter your taste, or your favorite period style, this movie is a MUST HAVE
Imagine this ... 3 tiers. Fabric/Pleat/Layered Lace, for a Bed Canopy, Curtains, or Bed Spread.
Now you're starting to get how I see things.... but there's more.....
This appears to be a folding screen. I just love the design and I currently have this on my work table. I am painting this motif on silk for 2 chairs that will be a part of the Vintage Vineyards Collection.
I'm taking pictures as I work on these pieces to show you how I am painting this in my Next Blog...so stay tuned.
Big Shot ~ Little Shot
Here are some actual pics I used for some inspirations
|
REAL LIFE Paris Apartment |
|
MINIATURE: Paris Apartment |
|
LIFE SIZE: Frick Collection Chair |
|
MINIATURE: Frick Collection Chair painted on China Silk |
|
LIFE SIZE: Queen Sophia's Bedroom |
|
MINIATURE: Queen Sophia Chairs. Painted silk taffeta |
|
LIFE SIZE: Canvas Canopy Daybed |
|
MINIATURE: Canvas Canopy Settee |
|
LIFE SIZE: Bright Fuchsia Rococo Chest |
|
MINIATURE: Fuchsia Chest |
Sometimes with photo inspirations I combine ideas. With the pieces below I loved the yellow pleated fabric doors with hanging picture frames and I also loved the grisaille [tones of grey] painted chest. I simply combined the two ideas.
|
LIFE SIZE |
|
LIFE SIZE: Grisaille Chest |
|
MINIATURE |
|
LIFE SIZE: French Country Couch |
|
MINIATURE: French Country Couch. Painted fluffy silk pillows |
|
LIFE SIZE: Zuber Print wall cover |
|
MINIATURE: Zuber Print on Chaise... why not? |
|
LIFE SIZE: Black Bed with floral painted head board and crisp white linens |
|
MINIATURE: With a punch more color, oil painted head board |
I hope you enjoyed seeing how sometimes the Life Size inspirations can change or be translated to better fit a proportion or color scheme. The secret to all things is to dive right in, experiment and don't be afraid to "fail" because there is really no such thing. The ABSOLUTE truth is, I've learned more, and have had more successes through my "failures" than you can possibly imagine. Play a bit ....sometimes it works and sometimes it needs to be Re-worked but in the process you come up with your own interpretations which also leads to more ideas.... and when those ideas are simply flowing it is the BEST feeling.
I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their week. Have FUN creating
Feel free to visit and follow my boards for your inspiration
You can visit my Pinterest Boards at:
LOVE AND HUGS ~ Maritza