Artistic Mechanics~ The ´Ebauche

Artists often do small studies before committing to a large canvas. There are different purposes for studies~ to select color, to work out the details of drawing, or to see the composition. The term ébauche refers to a study in which the artist looks at how the abstraction operates on a 2 dimensional surface.

I love the word, borrowed from the watchmaker, to describe the interior mechanism of timepieces. The parallel of understanding the visual forces or “what makes it tick,” is the essence of the ébauche .

This type of study has very little attention to fine detail or exact drawing. Rather, it is focused on shape, value, and linear integrity; to how the parts relate to one another. To use the watchmaker’s analogy, if one gear that is supposed to turn another doesn’t align, it must be moved to perform the function. So too with artistic mechanics; either the chosen subject is physically moved to the desired alignment, or if this is not possible, the viewpoint may be changed or artistic liberty taken.


Once the artist is satisfied with the arrangement, care is taken to ensure that the size of the final painting is in proportion to the ébauche. As the painting develops, detail is emphasized or subordinated with an eye toward maintaining mechanics of whole. In this way, the artist preserves her primary vision for the painting.

´Ebauches by Melody Phaneuf~

Study for Calling, 14 x 16, oil on canvas
Study for Stage Fort Park, 10 x 8, oil on canvas
Study for Partly Sunny, Gentle Breeze, 6 x 4 oil on board

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Melody Phaneuf is well known for her evocative landscape, still life, and portrait paintings. Her work is regularly on view at The Guild of Boston Artists, 162 Newbury Street, at Fenway Studios, Boston by appointment, and North Shore Art in Gloucester from May through October. Phaneuf has exhibited her paintings at The National Arts Club in New York City, Galerie Herouet in Paris, and with Art du Monde, in Japan.

Melody The Artist Home, founded with photographer and color specialist, Martha DiMeo showcases the artist’s original paintings on tumbled marble tile murals and coasters, fine art prints, and handmade note cards. Online ordering at MelodyTheArtist.com/shop

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Visit to Delft~ A Tale of Tiles

A trip to The Netherlands would feel incomplete absent a visit to Delft. The Royal Delft pottery continues to manufacture the blue and white tiles that, along with Vermeer, gave 17th Century Delft broad recognition. Though blue and white tiles were manufactured throughout the country, they came to be known as “Delft Tiles.”

Practical uses of tile are many throughout The Netherlands. Wall coverings and trivet purposes are customary but it was surprising to see tiles used as floor baseboard trim. It makes perfect sense when one considers how scarce forest trees are in this small country, much of it reclaimed from the sea. For the same reason, signage and street numbers are made from tile, rather than carved from wood.

Much of the decoration of tile is based on flower and vase motifs. The Dutch love their tulips and tulip vases became the rage. Simplified floral geometries are some of the most satisfying designs in Delft tile. Pastorals and Chinese motifs also remain as popular today as they were in the 17th Century.

Home again, I savor The Netherlands adventure. It is validating to think that images chosen for Melody The Artist tiles~ florals and landscape scenery, correspond to the ideas popularized by 17th Century Dutch artisans. And I am happy to know a culture that prizes aesthetics alongside practicality.

Mums and Blue Willow, Tile Coasters, after the oil painting
by Melody Phaneuf
Also available as Backsplash Mural

Melody Phaneuf is well known for her evocative landscape, still life, and portrait paintings. Her work is regularly on view at The Guild of Boston Artists, 162 Newbury Street, at Fenway Studios, Boston by appointment, and North Shore Art in Gloucester from May through October. Phaneuf has exhibited her paintings at The National Arts Club in New York City, Galerie Herouet in Paris, and with Art du Monde, in Japan.

Melody The Artist Home, founded with photographer and color specialist, Martha DiMeo showcases the artist’s original paintings on tumbled marble tile murals and coasters, fine art prints, and handmade note cards. Online ordering at MelodyTheArtist.com/shop

Follow Melody on twitter
Become a facebook fan
Visit Melody’s studio
Commission a painting by Melody

Related~

• Delft Tile Designs
• Royal Delft Manufacturing
• Visiting Delft

Painting on Location~ The Netherlands

The quest to discover new environs is a terrific source of artistic inspiration. Putting everything on hold for a few weeks for the purpose of hunting and gathering new glimpses of the world refreshes the artist’s eye.

There is much to see in the Netherlands~ from the intricate architecture to the enormous sky that hovers over the seemingly endless flat land below sea level. Windmills and canals are evidence of the determination and ingenuity of the Dutch in creating terra firma for an expanding population and verdant farmlands.

In the coming weeks there is much to do to in the studio to make these studies into larger gallery paintings. It is joyful work and a delight to revisit this journey; each little study is a visual diary of a magical experience.


Study of Amsterdam, 8 x 10 oil painting by Melody Phaneuf
Study of Windmills, 8 x 10 oil painting by Melody Phaneuf

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Melody Phaneuf is well known for her evocative landscape, still life, and portrait paintings. Her work is regularly on view at The Guild of Boston Artists, 162 Newbury Street, at Fenway Studios, Boston by appointment, and North Shore Art in Gloucester from May through October. Phaneuf has exhibited her paintings at The National Arts Club in New York City, Galerie Herouet in Paris, and with Art du Monde, in Japan.

Melody The Artist Home, founded with photographer and color specialist, Martha DiMeo showcases the artist’s original paintings on tumbled marble tile murals and coasters, fine art prints, and handmade note cards. Online ordering at MelodyTheArtist.com/shop

Follow Melody on twitter
Become a facebook fan
Visit Melody’s studio
Commission a painting by Melody