Francois Chartier

Quebec, Canada, Serenity, oil on canvas, 48 x 60" (121 x 152 cm)

Third Prize is a one-page editorial feature in American Art Collector magazine My Inspiration

Inspiration is very tricky. Sometimes it is everywhere around you, and sometimes nowhere to be seen. “Inspiration is for amateurs, the rest of us show up and get to work.” Every time I see something of interest, I make a small sketch or take notes in a small book I keep handy. Once a year in late spring/early summer when the flowers are glorious, I take my book of inspiration and take a whole month to photograph all the ideas that I had noted throughout the year. Through the thousands of pictures I take, five or six images will be considered. Three or four will make it as paintings.

I then have my subject matter ready for a whole year.

My Design Strategy

I like to stage my subject. When a composition looks interesting, I will try different arrangements and lighting. Very often, the lighting makes the difference between a nice image and a fantastic image, one that will keep my interest for the few months I will need to complete the painting. I like to paint small subjects on large-scale canvases. They are like magnifiers for the smaller details—magnets that attract viewers.

My Working Process

I prepare my canvas with a few coats of gesso that I sand for a smooth surface. I will put a medium gray all over, print the subject to size and trace it with graphite carbon. If I’m using transparent color, I will do grisaille to get a richer color (the yellow in Serenity). At the end, I will do glazing to balance color or to darken some areas. Very often the subject decides for me in which order exactly I will paint it.

Contact Info

Email: francoischartier.art@gmail.com

Website: www.francoisc.com