“Abandoning naturalism in exchange for idealized ethereal beauty” John F. Matthews on El Greco . Keith Landaas takes much inspiration for his work mostly in his figurative narrative works from the master of mannerism Doménikos Theotokópoulos more known as El Greco. This collection here has been categorized as Tribute to El Greco by Keith .
Keith Brookside uses traditional and archival methods of canvas preparation and. a variety of painting mediums are employed. Flake white paint is used when needed and usually its used most of the time for paintings of this nature which is also used in Keith Brookside’s figurative work.
Below are over a dozen commissioned and private oil paintings large and small and a plethora of drawings. The two large paintings in the 1st photo below are of The Cleansing of the temple and the Disrobing of Christ, El Espolio.
“My goal in the large Greco adaptations is generally to capture the over all feel and sense of the work. The design. To hopefully feel like an El Greco if possible with all that swirls and flames. That can simply can happen with a few lines and a piece of charcoal pencil. The essance of the original compositional drawing . As with most of the past masters El Greco specifically pushes and challenges me in alot of areas to my highest standard possible time and time again. High art, putting aside the religous themes there lies deeper in the work something not horizontal but verticle in themes , in reason, ultimate purpose. High above not earthly. Eternal. “ Keith Landaas
In most of Landaas's larger reproductions he usually changes or adds a slight detail or maybe quite a noticeable detail to those in the know of El Greco’s work. If not it remains to be found. Learning from the master El Greco is a life long educational journey but at least one can try and be motivated and inspired as to reach the best of ones ability as much as humanly possible. Two differnt versions of El Greco’s Adoration of the shepherds are underway now. Keith Brookside Studio welcomes any El Greco reproduction work. Any questions can be submitted to the contact page.
Tribute to El Greco, Purification of the temple and El Espolio works - Abandoning naturalism in exchange for idealized ethereal beauty
El Espolio- The Disrobing of Christ- El Greco Oil painting adaptation on canvas- workin progress Keith Landaas
El Espolio-The Disrobing of Christ- El Greco Oil painting study on canvas- 155 x 90 cm - 61 X 31.5 inches In this painting I have referred to the Munich version for the overall painting and foremost the style of Christs head of the 4 major versions El Greco has. My personal change or switch is one of the woman's faces and positions I have changed her to looking out at the viewer as opposed to looking into the work. The woman's face I referred to a modern day model and actress. Also In Greco’s versions he has the soldier in knights armour looking out and I have changed only his eyes looking at Christ.
El Espolio- Upper middle section
Detail- Head of Christ- El Espolio
Crimson red robe- Linseed oil , flake white , black and prussian blue and alizarin crimson red glazes.
Brown ground, chaulk some oil paint and acusers
The disrober
El Espolio El greco - Three women at the cross. M. Bellucci as Mary Magdeline a referance from Mel Gibson’s film The passion of the Chirst
Preparing the cross
Angels from the upper area of the Baptism of Christ
Angels - portion from the Baptism of Christ- oil on canvas 12 x 18 inches
Detail Angels faces
Angels hands- detail
The Purification of the Temple
The Purification of the Temple - El Greco large Oil on canvas adaptation reproduction by Keith Brookisde - 150 x 127 cm - 60 x 50 inches.
The Purification of the Temple - El Greco large Oil on canvas reproduction. 150 x 127 cm - 60 x 50 inches.
This version is based on the looser and more lively technique of the smaller Purification of the Temple oil painting sketch in the NYC Frick Museum.
The Purification of the Temple - A Keith Brookside El Greco large Oil on canavas reproduction. 150 x 127 cm - 60 x 50 inches.
The Head of Christ detail
The zodiac hat with symbols is not in the original and neither is the obelisk.
Purification of the Temple - the purifier and red crimson and blue prussian blue cloak
Detail - False prophet- The Purification of the temple
Gossiping men marked number VI
Purification of the Temple - detail man in yellow tunic
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Purification of the Temple - woman thrown down & Christ stepping on her hand
Purification of the Temple - man with basket
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Purification of the Temple -Freeze Adam and Eve - expulsion from the garden of Eden
Purification of the Temple -murmuring men and the Devil
Purification of the Temple - Woman with basket
Purification of the Temple -Lead white tiles
A pattern of floor tiles was often employed in El Greco's work for compositional enhancement and rhythm
Purification of the Temple - man in orange wih money box
Purification of the Temple - man in orange- Flake white shirt detail
Purification of the Temple -Man with money bag- Its ALL about the HEART of the matter . Money.
KEITH BROOKSIDE AT THE MET
Metropolitan Museum Of Art MET- Student and Teacher
Christ carrying cross
Christ carrying cross - El Greco reproduction study- Oil on canvas 50 x 70 cm
Detail- Christ Carrying cross - El Greco reproduction oil paint study- Keith Brookside
The Holy family quintet
EL Greco- The Holy family - quintet. A Keith Brookside adaptation. This is a collection of faces that I have worked into one composition .The original trio of Joseph, Mary and Mary Magdalene and my added famous repentant Mary Magdalene and St Sabastian. The background will be the also famous Toledo scene. This will now be painted in oil .Stretched canvas 56 x 70 cm.
EL Greco- The Holy family - quintet. A Keith Brookside adaptation. This is a collection of faces that I have worked into one composition .The original trio of Joseph, Mary and Mary Magdalene and my added famous repentant Mary Magdalene and St Sabastian. Underpainting progress.
Mary
Detail of head of Mary- Oil on canvas 18 x 24 cm
Linen canvas, staples, Prussian blues and venetian red
The Resurrection- El Greco reproduction painting study by Keith Brookside
The Resurrection- El Greco - A Keith Brookside reproduction oil painting study- 70 x 153 cm - 28 x 60 inches
El Greco’s Subterranean compositional layout and study
The Resurrection
The Resurrection- detail Christ
The Resurrection- lower section
The Resurrection- Side of Canvas
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The Resurrection- left Side of Canvas
El Espolio and The Resurrection - works in progress
The concert of the family
Concert of the family- Inspired and based on from El Greco’s Concert of angels The size is 84 inches by 55 inches, 7 feet x 4.5 feet. 213 cm x 140cm-
See my featured paintings page for more on this.
El Greco's Concert of Angels and Keith Brookside’s Concert of the family
Concert of the family based on el Greco's Concert of Angels. Keith Brookside and work.
Adoration of the shepherds by El Greco(1614)
Keith Brookside adaptation 2020
This is work in progress Charcoal sketch on oil primed and toned canvas - 100 x 58 cm .
I was undecided on which version of this.
Adoration of the Shepherds to do as their are elements in each that are so brilliant. Between this one here and the older version in the Museum Valencia 1608. I liked the background of the Valencia version for including the shepherd in the field through a window as the light from heaven falls below and illuminates on him and around him. It was not included on his last version above. so alas I decided on the 1614 Prado / MET version and I added the 1608 background scene to this later version. Stay tuned …
The Adoration of the Shepherds- El Greco - Keith Brookside copy adaptation - charcoal drawing on canvas
Adoration of the shepherds- El Greco - Angels- Keith Brookside studio- Reproduction -Charcoal drawings
El Greco - The Adoration of the Shepherds( work in progress) and Agony in the Garden - Keith Brookside
Mary greets Elisabeth
Mary greets Elizabeth- 15 x 20 cm
Christ on the Mount Of Olives - Agony in the Garden
Christ on the Mount Of Olives also known as Agony in The Garden. This is a version of the many after the painting at Szépmûvészeti Múzeum, Budapest- Oil on Canvas 45 x 60 cm
Angel and chalice and Christ
Cleansing of the Temple- El Greco and forefront the Agony in the Garden- Keith Brookside
Agony in the garden - Christ's head detail
Agony in the Garden- Sleeping disciples
Feet and tunic detail
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Detail- Sleeping disciple
Tribute to El Greco and Keith Brookside
Mary Magdalene
Oil study- El Grecos- Version of The Holy family with Mary Magdalen
Canvas Ground color charcoal and under paint start- to finished study - Oil- An adaptation of Mary Magdalene by El Greco
Saint John the Evangelist
El Greco -Saint John the Evangelist is an oil study 7 x 9 inches on canvas by Keith Brookside of the 1609 work by El Greco, produced towards the end of his time in Toledo, Spain. It now hangs in the Museo del Prado, to which it was left in 1921 by the collector César Cabañas Caballero
Angelic Concert
Angelic concert- This is a work in progress of the uper portion of the El Greco painting The Annunciation
Angels detail - The way of handling the hand any Greco work is critical and very characteristic.
Important foundations
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Harps and more hands
St. Andrew and the cross
Tempera paint, charcoal on brown paper. 30 x 60 cm
St. John The Baptist
Tempera paint, charcoal on brown paper. 30 x 60 cm
St. Peter
Tempera paint, charcoal on brown paper. 30 x 60 cm
The tempera full portraits above are also samples for commissioned portrait studies or finals. Stay tuned on the Keith Brookside portraits page for modern portraits done in this medium and style.
Water color- Sleeping Disciples on the Mt. of Olives
Saint Peter in prayer- Oil on canvas 12 x 18 inches, 25 x 35 cm
Saint Peter in prayer- El Greco reproduction by Keith Brookside
Keith Started drawing and painting at a young age. His passion and love for oil paints was inspired by the introduction to master painters at the age of 10.
Advancing in his school quickly Keith studied privately with various artists and teachers.
Graduating with honors from high school Keith attended The Philadelphia University of the Arts and then transferred to NYC at Parsons School of Design where he continued in fine arts and also graphic design .BFA
Keith continues to paint, sculpt and design today as a professional.
Adoration of the shepherds El Greco- Adaptation by Keith Brookside
Agony in the Garden - 1590 Toledo Study
Agony in the Garden - Oil on canvas 50x60cm
Agony in the Garden - Detail - Christ
Agony in the Garden - Detail - Disciples
