Sunday, January 22, 2012

Inspired by Pierre-Auguste Renoir


          Welcome to another episode of 'Inspired by art'! Today I want to share a look inspired by Pierre-Auguste Renoir's painting Two Sisters (1881). Two sisters was set on a restaurant terrace on the Seine River at Chatou. Incidentally, the two girls in the painting were not true sisters! I chose this painting because the warm brights mixed with the relaxed cool background reflect my wish for spring in the midst of winter.

          There is such a vivid yet genteel array of colors in the painting. The colors that I extracted included: the crisp ivory white of the little girl's outfit, the creamy white of the elder sister's complexion, the lavender blue of the railing, trees, and river, the ultramarine blue in the outfits, the mahogany railing, the red-orange of the hats, peach in the cornucopia and flowers, and an irreverent hint of fuschia in one flower of the little girl's hat.



          When choosing makeup colors, I focused on mattes and pretty colors. The products I chose to represent this Renoir-inspired look were:
  • Ivory white - Bobbi Brown Ivory eyeshadow
  • Creamy white - Bobbi Brown Navajo eyeshadow
  • Lavender blue - Bobbi Brown Plum Navy eyeshadow
  • Ultramarine blue - NARS Outremer eyeshadow
  • Mahogany - Bobbi Brown Velvet Bronze eyeshadow and MUFE 18L eyeliner
  • Red-orange - Chanel Peregrina lipstick mixed with a hint of NARS Red Lizard lipstick
  • Peach - NARS Deep throat blush and NARS Sex Appeal blush
  • Fuschia - OPI Koala Bear-y nail polish



          The seamless combination of colors is where the inherent beauty of the Renoir lies. However, it was challenging to combine them for a cohesive makeup look! The eyes should be simple. An ivory or creamy white base should be used all over the eye. The focus of the eye can be a simple line. For blue eyes, a mahogany pencil liner can be used  and the smudged with a similar colored or bronze eyeshadow. For brown eyes, a a damp angled liner brush can be used to draw a precise line with NARS Outremer. Cheeks are peach. NARS Sex Appeal can be used for a subtle matte peach finish or NARS Deep Throat can be used for a more flushed finish. Lips are a muted but pretty red-orange. I don't have this color so I mixed Chanel peregrina (a peach) with NARS Red lizard (red). Finally for an unexpected pop, I painted my nails a bright fuschia color.



          Thanks for reading! I enjoyed creating a look inspired by Renoir. What colors are inspiring you this (almost) spring? Where do you find your color inspirations? Do you have any favorite artists?

Love, Dovey.

17 comments:

  1. I love these posts! Again, you recreated the painting beautifully with the products. The blue shadow and nail polish are an especially nice pops of colours.

    It makes me want to go hunting for a pretty blue coat now. :)

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    1. A blue coat? You don't say.... I could use one too. I was thinking a nice blue shirt would complement my nails nicely :P

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    2. Done deal. Let's give the makeup shopping a break and do some clothes shopping then! :>

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  2. This ranks among my top favorite blog posts of all time. You truly nailed the shades and spirit of the painting. I've always loved Renoir: so emblematic of the impressionist era, yet so unique. His paintings really stand out to me because of the bright pops of color (the blue and red) that appear akin to neon against the more muted background.

    On another note, Bobby Brown Navajo?! YES. Who would have thought that a cream could be so unique. I need it!

    Well done, Dovey! I cannot WAIT to see your future Inspired by Art posts :)
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Hi Jessica, Thank you for such a high compliment! It really makes me happy to hear that. I haven't taken such a close look at the many Renoirs, but now I would like to examine them for the pops of color you describe. That will be on my to-do list next time I get to a museum :)

      I love Navajo too. I get so much use out of it as a base color.

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  3. I love these posts! So cool!! What a great idea!

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  4. This is absolutely amazing! So inspiring!! Love the colours you've chosen!

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  5. I love posts like this! You have beautifully captured the feel of the painting. I'm probably biased as I am a fan of the Impressionists - Monet is at the top of my list closely followed by Renoir!

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    1. Thank you, I agree--- both Monet and Renoir have such beautiful colors and strokes. I'm in the mood to see more now!

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  6. The colors you chose are such a perfect representation of the painting! These are some of my favorite posts :)

    And ohh, is that the BB warm palette from last year? I should have bought one for myself (I only bought one as a gift). I'm kicking myself still!

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  7. Hi Laurie- thanks so much for the encouragement! It IS the warm palette from last year, which is well loved :) At least you know you provided a lucky someone with a really nice piece of happiness!

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  8. I love your Art posts! You are so creative!

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  9. Beautiful post and the colors are perfect! Also, I need OPI Koala Berry!

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    1. Thank you Danielle --- Koala bear-y is my new love :)

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