LONDON. THE IMPRESSIONISTS. LEONARDO.

Waldemar Januszczak

I was in London last summer when BBC2  broadcast a series of documentaries about the Impressionists. I couldn't watch them then but I took note. I had to find them. Well, I did it and I've finally seen the whole series.

In the four episodes,  Art writer Waldemar Januszczak explores the revolutionary achievements of the Impressionists: The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution, The Great Outdoors, The Gang of Four, Painting the People. 

RA FRIDAY - RICHARD AND ART

I like to think that it was impossible for  me to escape my destiny ... Though it is a very pleasant destiny. It has been impossible for me to avoid the chance of  meeting him on my path . Him. Richard Armitage. And once you meet him... You know, it's always the same old  story, familiar to so many .
 I love period drama and Victorian literature and he is Mr Thornton (2005). I love Art, especially the Impressionists (have you seen my avatar?) and he is Young Monet (2006). I've been fond of Spooks since its first series (2002) and he joined the cast in 2008 as Lucas North. Then, once you're caught under his spell, you find yourself doing things you would have never expected from yourself. "Being  fan of an actor!?!"  "Watching a Robin Hood series and like it!?! Buying the DVD of a  series called "Between the Sheets"!?! Listening to audiobooks!?! Reading a bestselling war novel meant for men!? !( I'd have other examples , but I prefer to stop) "No, thanks!" I would answer a couple of years ago. But I've done it. All of that. And I'm glad I did it. It's been such a great pleasure. It has made my life less dull and ...

But,  what was the aim of my post? Richard and Art. Yes! Well, sorry. I'm so sorry for this long digression. Let's go back to the point.

RICHARD AND ART

Acting is an art, but what I mean here is visual Art, painting precisely. Richard Armitage seems very sensitve to all arts: he loves literature and theatre, he studied music and can play the cello and the flute, he had singing and dance lessons to perform in musical plays,  he can even paint. But when he was chosen to be the Young Monet in the BBC 2006 series "The Impressionists" he had to improve his skills.

 Have you seen this series? I loved it. It was a feast to my eyes: my favourite paintings were all there and young Monet, my favourite painter, had those deep blue eyes, deep smooth voice e long elegant hands....

How easily I got distracted by the man? Too much. Again, back to the point, MG!

RA told in his interviews how he was trained by  the series artist and consultant, Leo Stevenson. “Painting is not just about technique, it’s about body language – it’s a whole psychology," he said. "Monet painted at great speed and was lavish in his use of colour.”

Richard  was fascinated by the process and eager to learn more. “The artist on set taught us particular brushstrokes and how to mix paints and I knocked up a reproduction Monet in rehearsals. It wasn’t bad!”

He said of his artistic instruction, “I’ve really enjoyed finding out about Monet’s technique – how he mixed the paint on the canvas, dragging it across the surface and letting it dry in ridges. And it’s been funny discovering the problems of painting outside. Sand in the paint, gusts of wind, leaves and flies getting stuck in the oils, easels falling over – Monet had to deal with all of them.”

I'm afraid, this is not a review of THE IMPRESSIONISTS (BBC 2006), you see. It is just a reflection on how multi-talented Richard Armitage can be and how sensitive and thoroughful he is in everything he does. Anyhow, if you want a good review of this drama, which  I loved seeing, you can find it at Judy's

 Costume Drama Reviews .

In conclusion, have you noticed how contagious RA's artistic temper can be? Most of his fans have turned into highly creative human beings, starting to  use their hidden or revealed talents in order to express their gratitude for and esteem of his work. The Net is a continuous overflowing of stunning graphic art, drawings,  fan fiction and last but not least blogs (don't they require creativity?) dedicated to him.

For example, thanks to Natalie's RichardArmitageFanBlog I've just discovered a talented painter who enjoys portraying Richard (as John Thornton or Guy of Gisborne) but also other costume drama heroes. Her nick is couleurjane and she is greatly talented at  watercolour. Have a look at her Thornton and Gisborne.

Watercolour wonders, aren't they? If you want, you can go and see, on her Utube channel , how from a simple pencil drawing she gets to these amazing coloured portraits. Then, to visit her gallery, go to her site http://www.couleurjane.e-monsite.com/ . You'll find also beautiful portraits of Austen heroes from the screen.

Now, after my weekly fix of RA related rambling, I wish you all the best of the weekends!

P.S.Many thanks to  Nat at RichardArmitageFanBlog ,  Annette  at RichardArmitageOnline and couleurjane