As a fantasy artist the use of perspective is essential, and as such I feel indebted to the clever artists who in the past discovered it.

The Ancient Greeks were the fist to attempt to use one point perspective, but  it wasn't  until the European mediaeval time, that Giotto di Bondone did an attempt to draw in perspective, using an algebraic method to determine the placement of distant lines. His painting Jesus Before Caiaphas was a large step forward in western art, although it doesn't conform to our modern method of perspective.

In 1413 Filippo Brunelleschi was the first to use the modern  geometrical method of perspective. He painted  some buildings onto a mirror, and that was how he discovered, that if he extended the lines of the buildings they would converge on the horizon line.

To convince people of his perspective theories, he conducted an experiment. He painted  the above shown Baptistery on a small panel with great precision,. He made a hole into the painted panel at that point in the temple of San Giovanni, which is directly opposite the eye of anyone stationed in the central portal of Santa Maria del Fiore. Then he set up a demonstration of his painting of the Baptistry in the doorway of the Duomo. He had the viewer look through a small hole on the back of the painting, facing the Baptistry. He would then set up a mirror, facing the viewer, which reflected his painting. To the viewer, the painting of the Baptistry and the Baptistry itself were nearly indistinguishable. From that point on geometrical perspective was generally accepted by the medieval artists.

Index of this journal

I had some problems uploading my blogs here on Ef, but now it's working again, and I am so relived :)

I am desperately trying to work on the book about Nidlongdir, but Ebbe and Selene are giving me a hard time, they come up with all sorts of mischief all the time.

My son Bjarne was accepted at the Aahus Universety, he is going to study, Media's technology. Camilla and Christan have moved into the new flat we build for them.

We had a busy summer, with lots of guests visiting us. My sister's son Mads stayed here for a week, and my mum has been staying here for two weeks. We have all had fun playing games, going to the beach, and just relaxing reading book and cooking delicious dinners. My husband Jess has been busy building on the house, and preparing our cars, so he was quit happy to go back to work after the holidays.

We had a long and warm summer, and soon my apples are ready to pick. This week we had a change in the weather, and I can sense the autumn is coming. Next week I am of to visit my mum and Bjarne in Silkeborg, I will stay for five days, so I will see you all around when I am back!

Fairy blessings

Marianne

I have spent two lovely weeks with my family. We have been relaxing, cooking delicious diners, reading books and playing World of War Craft with my sister’s kids. I haven't done a single drawing, and now I feel  my creative batteries have been recharged, and I am ready to go back to my drawing desk.

I have some deadlines coming up soon, it’s the paper doll for Fae Magazine’s winter issue, and I have to finish the two wedding portraits I am working on for my daughter. Perhaps it’s very unprofessional of me, but I hate deadlines! Some how it can totally drain my creativity, I know that some people work best under pressure, but I always feel that I work best, when I can work in my own pace of time. Dead lines

• Break up the painting task in small chunks.
• Estimate how long each of those takes, and keep it simple.
• If totals more than deadline, either renegotiate deadline, or look at your primary work to see if any of it could be used to save time. Ask for support!
• If not, track small tasks using mini-deadlines - they are much easier to accomplish and thus generate less pressure. Take baby steps
• Exercise periodically to work off stress and give yourself extra time to warm up.
• Next time, don't procrastinate :)

Duke Frederik Christian.

Two weeks ago I went to Augustenborg castle and took some reference photos of this romantic baroque building. I live only 15 min. from the castle, and I feel so lucky to be able to visit it often. The castle was built from 1770-76 by  Duke Frederik Christian. The Danish fairy tale writer H.C. Andersen often visited Agustenborg Castle. We know about his visits because he wrote in his diary on the 11th September 1844: "Als is a beautiful small isle, it is Fyn in miniature; Augustenborg Castle looked magnificent out into the sunset, a great number of swans swam around, I thought of the Greek myth about Leda and The Swan!"

The castle has a beautiful chapel that still is used for weddings and ceremonies. The Chapel is decorated in the rococo style. 

I love the street lamps that lit up the castle at night! I think I might add it to my painting of Apple Hold Castle that I am working on!

Behind the castle, you will find a park with an avenue leading up to the castle.

Copyright Marianne Mathiasen 2010