Tryptich painting - after Matisse

I've been working on this huge tryptich for the last 6 weeks.  Michael Winter's class is looking at the work and style of Henri Matisse.  We were to paint an interior with at least one person in it.  Most were looking at photos of home but I decided to use a quirky photo I took in 2006 when I was in the medieval city of Carcasonne in the south of France.  I was alone and looking for a place for dinner but I think I was the only person eating - everyone else was drinking!

We were to join 3 canvases together to make a tryptich. The size influences the way one sees and paints. It was quite an experience.  The final size is 2.3m x 1m  (or 90" x 40").  Even balancing the canvases on the easel was hard with clamps used at the back.

The painting was drawn in charcoal and painted in acrylic using six tertiary colours which were harmonious.  I feel that the painting is more about colour than anything else - and Matisse also used unusual colours.  I made areas of impasto/texture and also flat areas with emphasis of line in places.  It was great fun to make this painting and I've already decided what to move and where to put it on a  high wall in my house.

Click on photo to see a larger size.