Method

Method

How a blank canvas becomes a beautiful painting

Rudolf prefers to take photos in the vicinity of the person portrayed. On the basis of these photos, either a few sketch designs or a direct sketch on canvas follow. Shortly afterwards, the person to be portrayed is asked to pose in the studio once or twice for an hour.

Schetsmatig opzetten en uitwerken van gezicht en handen
Sketchy setting up and elaboration of face and hands
Achtergrond van links donker, naar rechts boven licht, waardoor het contrast met stoel, hoedje en hand later beter tot zijn recht komen.
Background from the left dark, to the right above light, so that the contrast with chair, hat and hand later comes into its own.
Donkere elementen eerst
Dark elements first
Eerst de stoel, daarna pas de jurk
First the chair, then the dress
Enkele toetsen van blauw op de ornamenten van de stoel
A few touches of blue on the ornaments of the chair
Benen
Legs
meer details uitwerken
work out more details
Indonesische symboliek in de achtergrond
Indonesian symbolism in the background
Ringen en armbanden, zie de reflectie van de jurk op de ornamenten van de stoel
Rings and bracelets, see the reflection of the dress on the ornaments of the chair
Ik gebruik het bloemetje dat naar mijn oudtante Melati van Java is vernoemd
I use the flower named after my great-aunt Melati from Java
Browse through the photos above to see the different phases
An older example

Part Two: How a blank canvas becomes a beautiful painting

This time it concerns free work.
Na behandeling van paneel, achtergrond en eerste schets met potlood en wit krijt plus decoratie, troetelhondjes rechts en links
After treatment of panel, background and first sketch with pencil and white chalk plus decoration, pet dogs right and left
Uitwerken van het gezicht
Working out the face
Schetsmatig met olieverf decoraties behandelen
Treat decorations sketchily with oil paint
Meer details toevoegen
Add more details
Vogel toevoegen, pas later uitwerken, kleuren afstemmen met de rest
Add bird, develop later, match colors with the rest
Zoektocht naar kleuren combinatie, paars is te overheersend en decoratie links ben ik niet over tevreden
Search for color combination, purple is too predominant and I am not satisfied with the decoration on the left
Oude decoratie en kleuren vervangen
Replace old decoration and colors
Haren, vissen, huidskleur en sieraden toevoegen
Add hair, fish, skin color and jewelry
Browse through the photos above to see the different phases
In the portraits he captures the character and always adds something extra to the painting. Rudolf: “The final result will be a painting, not just any portrait. In addition, I will ensure that a personal aspect is added. But most important of all is the resemblance. The painting does not leave the house if there is no resemblance ”.
Zelfportret

A great source of inspiration for his painting style are the painters from the beginning of the last century such as John Singer Sargent, James Whistler, William Chase, but also Gustav Klimt and Isaak Israels. Rudolf Kortenhorst paints at home and abroad, mostly in the Netherlands, but also in Germany, Austria, Ireland and Greece where he has commissioned portraits.

From the old days

Part three: How a blank canvas becomes a beautiful painting

One of Rudolf Kortenhorst's older works
Doek is bewerkt met gesso, geschuurd en vervolgens ruige schets maken
Canvas is processed with gesso, sanded and then rough sketch
Warme gloed in de achtergrond, stoel, gezicht, armen en benen ruig uitwerken globaal schaduwen aangeven
Warm glow in the background, chair, face, arms and legs rough elaborate roughly indicate shadows
Gezicht, haren, strik en jurk uitwerken
Work out face, hair, bow and dress
Hond, schoenen, gezichtsuitdrukking uitwerken
Working out dog, shoes, facial expression
Springtouw, bal en andere details toevoegen, achterste poten van de stoel vager
Add skipping rope, ball and other details, back legs of the chair more blurred
Browse through the photos above to see the different phases

Paintings & Contact

Flora portretten in opdracht portret in opdracht schilderij portrait painter schilderij kunstenaar kunstschilder Rudolf Kortenhorst kunstschilder schilder
Paintings

Discover the work of Rudolf Kortenhorst: Family, Children, Animal portraits, Business portraits, Free work.

to the paintings
Familieportretten portretten in opdracht portret in opdracht familie schilderij
Contact

Click below if you would like to learn more about Rudolf Kortenhorst's working method

Contact
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