Brett Whiteley
Putting on Lipstick 1981
pencil. oil stick and collage on paper 65 x 93.5 cm
Putting On Lipstick by Brett Whiteley is a painting containing little colour and tone but still results in a complete and balanced piece. Whiteley has used line to create the smooth naked figure with slight delicate toning portraying shadow. This picture is very figurative, not only due to the subject matter, but due to the distortion of specific body parts. Whiteley has concentrated on the main sections of the female body excluding legs and face, defining and deforming the hollowed back and buttocks. The hair that seems to imerge from the woman's shoulders or concealed face and head is created through tight expressive marks and a darker colour that makes this area one of the most focused sections.
The other most dominant section within Putting On Lipstick , although small, is the coloured mirror she appears to be looking into which reveals a small area of the lady's face. As there is little contrast in colours or between the subject matter and background within this piece, this section is very important as it enforces the main focal point. The mirror contains colours true to the subject matter of a human face which has been tampered with by bright red lipstick. The lady's lipstick is definitely the most eye catching area of the painting, no matter its small size. In conclusion this piece has been well created through the use of many of the elements of art without the aid of dominant colours or tones.
Other Brett Whiteley Pages:
Brett Whiteley page by Cameron Reilly
VEA, Video Education Australasia: Brett Whiteley