As an autodidact, Bernadette Schampers is free from rules and learned theories

As a self-taught artist, Bernadette Schampers is free from rules and learned theories, which allows her to paint freely and experiment extensively.

If self-taught Bernadette Schampers free from rules and learned theories, which for her means that she can paint freely and experiment a lot. Her work can be recognized by the charisma and appearance of the large portraits that the artist knows how to express on canvas. This week Bernadette highlights three of these portraits. Text: Fleur de Jong
Image: Bernadette Schampers

Multiple interpretations

“A striking portrait that caught my attention because of a facial expression that can have multiple interpretations... From arrogant to powerful to curious. The viewer will see what she wants to see in it. The technique used with water, ink, acrylic paint and bister makes it a strong, but also vulnerable portrait. It is the balance of strong, weak, powerful and vulnerable that can often be found in my works. The colors are often not in accordance with reality, but for me that is often the challenge of the portrait. As a self-taught artist, I am free from rules and learned theories, which for me means that I can paint very freely and experiment a lot. Coincidence and a sense of balance in color and atmosphere ultimately determine the result.”

Simple and pure

“This portrait immediately caught my attention. It is a strong portrait with a lot of strength in the facial expression. I like portraits that radiate something, but I want to leave it up to the viewer what this expression means to them. The portrait is powerful and the transparent technique used with acrylic paint, water, ink and bister also makes the portrait airy. The balance between light and dark and strong lines combined with transparency give me the right balance. The layering of the colors and surfaces gives the work extra strength and depth. In this case it gives a lived-in appearance, but the portrait also shows vulnerability. I think the natural colors are expressed very nicely in this portrait. The painting is therefore simple and pure. Seeing the painting says more than the description on paper. This applies to all my works.”

Looking in the mirror?

"Looking in the mirror? A portrait that looks into the soul for me. With layers of color and technology, it conveys vulnerability as well as a lived-in appearance. Making the background black makes the face stand out even more. It is the eyes that look and look almost real, which I have tried to portray as best as possible. The fact that the portrait is actually very large makes no difference to the way it looks at you. 'Who's Watching' is the question. Do you see yourself in those eyes or is someone looking at you? It is a portrait that comes in. It's fun to not only look at what you see, but also to feel what you see. The colors are simple and sober. You can see that in all my works. Simple transparent colors, applied layer upon layer.”View here more MASTERPIECES by Bernadette Schampers.