Croquis sur toile

Dès 2007, j’ai commencé à faire des croquis des gens dans le métro et le RER. Je les ai portés sur toile de lin encollée, pour l’ambiance et cela a donné des toiles de plus en plus colorées au fil des ans. Je croque désormais les gens partout, dans les cafés, les expositions, dans la vie.

English

CROQUIS SUR TOILE (Sketches on canvas)

In March 2007, I turned to a new style of work, which I called Croquis sur Toile: a series of sketches painted in mixed technique on uncoated linen canvas, showing an urban underground landscape of heads.

These paintings can actually be seen in my Bagneux workshop. Many of them have already been bought by international and French collectors.

« I’ve been sketching people on the RER since 2006. I’m using a Japanese pen brush with a black ink cartridge. I’m watching people trapped in the metro and drawing them swiftly as they are getting on, sitting, standing, phoning, getting out, listening to music, reading, talking, day dreaming, looking at me and mostly running away from communication. I’m spying and stealing things. I don’t want to compose a picture; I’m drawing what is in front of me. I have to be quick, relying on my memory when necessary. Whatever is standing in my eyesight, somebody’s bottom, handbags, metro bars, I’m keeping drawing, stealing instants, thoughts, hidden feelings, attitudes of the metro riders like me.

Since March 2007 I’ve been showing my sketches enlarged on canvas. The off white colour of the linen conveys the underground and somewhat smart atmosphere. I sketch three times on one canvas before I get the final painting: graphite, walnut stain, oil washes. For contrast I’ve been using whites yellows and light colours in oil on faces and hands. The light comes from people without their knowing. All has something to do with the watercolour techniques, each gesture must be precise, strong and no mistake is allowed. Recently I have been using more vivid colours.”

Jacqueline Chesta