Mediterranean harbour

Sète, and particularly the Pointe Courte neighborhood, dear to Brassens, is one of my favorite subjects. It is a complex subject due to the number of nets, boats, makeshift huts, and miscellaneous objects, which I try to simplify in order to retain only the essentials and recreate its unique atmosphere. This oil painting was created in my studio using successive glazes on a linen canvas stretched over a frame. To create it, I used sketches and watercolors that I had made from the motif. The glazing technique consists of superimposing several layers of transparent paint (between 5 and 15 layers depending on the pigments). The surface of the colored layer must be perfectly smooth and reflect light. Brush marks must be imperceptible, otherwise the diffusion of light will counteract the effect of transparency. In skies in particular, I like to let the underlying layers show through. Glazing gives the colors brightness and great depth. It is a long process because, with the drying time between each layer, it takes between 6 and 10 months. This oil painting is ready to hang and, due to its size, does not require framing. The sides of the frame (2 cm wide) are painted black. It is sold with a certificate of authenticity.
     This work appears on page 104 of the book “Peintres et Couleurs d'Occitanie” (Painters and Colors of Occitania), published in October 2022.

It was used for the Art Saint-Brice 2023 poster (guest of honor).