But I know how much...
...that portrait needs.
By the way, someone once told me that painters...
...middle-aged painters in Paris...
...men who are now the same age than us...
...work with feverish intensity.
I didn't understand it then but I admired them for it.
Now that I'm that age, I understand it.
I too work with intensity.
Time is precious.
I work non-stop now.
I know...
...we have much vitality, I know that but...
...but time as such can't last...
...much longer.
We still have a few years...
...but unconsciously, our mind...
...pushes us...
Well...
Spanish National Radio.
Yesterday, the Arab League asked the U.N...
Let's go.
Shall I take the chairs inside?
And the box too.
Take it.
Sadam Hussein asked the world's Moslems...
...to free Jerusalem...
...where Israel's armed forces...
...killed 21 Palestinians and wounded another 200.
Soldiers with gas masks...
...watched the streets that lead...
...to the Wailing Wall...
...and closed the accesses to the mosques.
Successful landing by the shuttle Discovery.
The D.A. Asks for 70 years in jail...
...for Amedo and Dominguez...
...the two policemen accused...
...of belonging to a terrorist band...
...and of having planned six unsuccessful murders...
Friday, October 12
Monday, October, 15
Tuesday, October 16
Thursday, October 18
Tuesday, October 23
Mari, were you asleep?
I'm sorry, but the light's gone.
Have you got light at your place?
I know.
Shall I call Jan ?
It's very late.
Here I was, happily painting away...
...and I have to go to bed.
Wednesday, October 24
So much glue.
Your shadow.
- Alright, that's it. - It is?
Let's see.
- My shadow's in the way. - Right.
- No problem. - There.
More towards you. A little more.
That's fine, leave it as it is.
Leave it.
It's drying over here.
The weather's really rotten!
Here.
It's pretty damp.
It's still very wet.
Give it here.
Let's see if it's stuck by tomorrow...
...and I can start drawing
- Do you want to start tomorrow? - Well...
I'll glue the other side tomorrow.
I'll start the day after. I'm way behind as it is.
I don't think you're going to make it.
I can try.
You finish it.
- Over there. - I'm falling.
Okay, the methacrylate.
Well...
...that's it.
I'll get the tiles.
I'll give them to you.
- Sure, let me. - No, don't.
We need more.
It must be stable.
No, don't.
Give me another one.
Alright, that's it.
Let it be.
Did you bring your car?
- And an umbrella? - That I did.
Alright, let's go. Come on.
What a downpour!
Let's go.
Thursday, October 25
Friday, October 26
Saturday, October 27
Crude went up again yesterday.
However, the initial hike of 3 $ on Brent crude...
...was finally reduced to, 0.85...
...leaving the barrel at 33,7 dollars.
The Madrid Stock Exchange lost 4 points.
Tokyo lost 346 points...
...New York, 48.
The Spanish ships...
...Numancia, Diana and Cristina...
...will sail from Cartagena...
...on the 31st of this month for the Gulf.
This was confirmed by the Ministry of Defense.
The two football teams...
...Madrid Atletico and Barcelona...
...play today.
Weather forecast.
Very cloudy skies in most of the country.
Heavy rainstorms in the Northern half...
Sunday, October 28
So you've left the canvas...
...the painting.
- I started drawing. - When ?
A couple of days ago.
Why did you stop painting. You didn't like it?
The weather was so rotten...
...so unsettled, so horrible...
...I couldn't go on painting.
I wanted to show...
...the sun on the tree.
But the light changed so often...
...I couldn't go on.
Will you be able to pick it up next year?
You see, next year...
...the quinces, the leaves will have changed.
- So, that's it. - Yes, that's it.
You hadn't painted one for a while.
That's why I wanted to do it.
You did two quince trees...
Mom told me to paint it...
...and I liked the idea.
- Now it's Mom's fault. - Well, I wouldn't...
Alright, alright.
All I did was complain about the weather.
I haven't been very lucky.
It's typical October weather.
This year's been worse than usual.
Truly horrible.
Monday, October 29
Thursday, November 1
Friday, November 2
There isn't much left.
- She says it's very good. - Good?
You prefer drinking it hot in China, don't you?
It's good this way too.
Apparently, in Madrid, people drink it cold.
Not really.
But I bring it early...
...and by now, it's cold.
Well, I like it
Is it the first time...
...you've painted this tree?
The third time.
Last year, I drew it. It was a smaller drawing.
You probably like this tree very much.
Yes, I do. I like quince trees.
The tree and its fruit.
I've drawn other trees...
...but I have a kind...
...of tendency...
...to work on quince trees.
I don't know why.
Well, the fruit is beautiful.
Maybe you planted the tree yourself.
I did, yes. Some four years ago.
Well, that explains it, doesn't it?
But I planted others. I planted that one too.
I have noticed that your method...
...is quite different from the ones used...
...by others.
- What others? - Other painters.
- I see. - As far as I know...
...a lot of painters feel more comfortable...
...working from a picture.
Well...
...the best part is being close to the tree.
That is more important than the end result for me.
A picture doesn't give you that.
That may also be because you love that tree.
That's right.
Another thing that impresses her...
...is the compactness...
...of the compositions you normally do.
Well, here and in general...
...I like the order created by symmetry.
I centered the tree on the paper.
The heart of the vision is the center of the paper.
Apparently, a lot of artists avoid doing this...
...because people don't seem to like it.
That may be, but doing it this way...
...the tree, in my opinion...
...has presence.
By centering it...
...by avoiding all esthetic games on paper...
...with space...
the object...
...is shown...
...in an ordered way in relation to symmetry.
Do you smoke?
- No, thank you. - What about you, Xao Ming?
Have one.
You had a question.
Thank you.
She's wondering...
...about those marks on the tree.
She'd like to know if you use them to fix...
...to get a perspective in your composition.
The marks in general or some in particular?
For example...
...those white lines, those threads.
The threads. This is the vertical line.
If you prefer, the center of what I see.
It's also the center of what I'm representing.
This thread over there...
...is the horizontal line also in the center.
So, taking these vertical and horizontal line...
...I can place all my elements.
Now, these horizontal marks over here...
...on the quinces and on the leaves...
...show, since I started working...
...how the fruits are lower because of the weight...
...how the branches have bent.
They were over here.
This mark used to be over here.
Since I started...
...the tips have gone down some five centimeters.
Here, it hasn't moved.
- So you keep on correcting. - Yes that's right.
I correct.
I follow the tree.
I'm always parallel...
...to the development of the tree.
Do you think you'll finish it...
...before the quinces fall?
The tree's still fine. I started a month ago.
She says it is now possible to see...
...that the sun is shining lightly...
...on the fruits and on the leaves.
It is very pretty.
Do you also wish to represent...
...that light?
It's impossible.
In that sense, our language is very limited.
I may only show the boundaries of shapes...
...and thus the tree.
But it will become an oil painting won't it?
No, I started with one and ended up with a drawing.
You see the sun...
...It was there a moment ago, wonderful...
...but it's already gone.
It changes so quickly.
...I couldn't go on painting.
It's wonderful, but I had to give it up.
I had to.
You always have to give something up.
Monday, November 5
What a beautiful tree!
It's madness!
And just look at this one over here!
He's so orderly.
I suppose he must...
Did you see the hot-house?
Of course!
Look, this is where he stands.
He stands right here.
- There are marks down there. - Sure.
He places his feet here.
Then, he uses this line...
...plus the vertical one from the plumb line...
...to refer to the mark on the tree.
That way, his point of view never changes.
He always has to see it from here...
...from this point.
What if he blinks?
He loses his point of view.
He does.
I'm really astounded.
I couldn't see it that close up.
I'd have to work a little more removed.
Perhaps...
...I'm more the spectator than the actor.
I've always wondered...
...about that obsession with physical space...
...about square inches.
For me, feelings about colors are all-powerful.
No, what we have here is the perfect union...
...between feelings and order.
It's as if he were distrustful.
But it's always feeling and order.
Reason and intuition go hand in hand.
How are you doing?
- Aren't we all dressed up? - Was there any choice?
So, you're admiring...
...the model.
You don't mind us...
...seeing the ins and outs, do you?
Of course not, they're pretty obvious.
- They are, aren't they? - Besides, nowadays...
It's a map...
...a map of the tree.
- A map... - Really, it is.
A map where...
- Have you seen this? - I certainly have.
I didn't want to mention it.
Goodness me!
Wait, that's about three days worth.
I don't pick them up every day.
I don't smoke that much in one day.
I bet the tree does.
- Time to go. - Yes, let's go.
Monday, November 19
Wait, just a little more.
It's in full decadence.
The leaves are hiding the quince.
You're going to shadow it, like in Middle Distance?
No, I can't.
That tomato thing was so funny!
Don't make me laugh.
I'll wreck the leaf and I must go.
Don't shake it, lower it a bit.
- Listen, this is difficult. - Yes, I know.
Just a little more.
The poor thing won't last much longer.
- It is going to be long? - Just a little more.
I'm nearly finished.
Alright. Now, let's see...
I knew it.
The little one over here, just a little bit.
That's it.
A little higher.
That rod is right on my nose.
Let's see.
Have you had that problem with other trees?
Well, I never...
Should I look up or down ?
- It never took that long? - Well, not so late...
Not so late in the year.
We are in mid November.
- Lower? - No, now go to...
- Where? - Let's see...
This one?
Wait a minute.
That one over there. - This one?
Careful...
There, there, don't move it now.
That's easy to say.
They're getting bigger.
The quinces, I mean.
Incredible.
They'll be huge.
Which one? - That one.
- Like that? - Yes, one minute.
- Come on. - Wait, let me see.
It's hanging in there.
Look how lovely it is with the sun over there.
Friday, November 23
- Raise that leaf a little. - This one?
That one, that one. I can't see.
Move a little.
- Like that? - That's right.
Aren't these quinces full of lumps?
See, they're a lumpy. Look, over here.
It looks great. Now don't start.
Maybe you could give it a little more firmness.
Put the leaf over there.
I can't see.
What was that?
- What did you say? - I think...
...this area is fine...
...as it is.
You may be suffocating it a bit.
Why don't you work on the lower part...
...on the bottom leaves?
- Which? - The bottom ones.
- Over here. - Just a little more.
To finish it.
- Damn wind! - God, it's cold!
I'll sing a little.
"Darling, my darling..."
That's the song.
Start again.
Darling, my darling..."
- Again. - Do you want me to start again ?
Wait, I'm eating.
You go ahead and draw.
Bet I look cute holding...
...the leaf
Alright.
"Darling, my darling...
...spring of marjoram...
...foam flowing on the river..."
- Dreadful! - It is?
- Again. - We were doing fine.
"Darling..."
"Darling, my darling...
...spring of marjoram...
...foam flowing on the river...
...morning star."
"All over Seville I've planted...
...defiant flags."
"And each flag says:
...darling, my darling."
- How was it? - So, so.
I didn't really like it. We can do it better.
Shall we try again ?
Alright.
Let's see how do I do it.
"Darling, my darling...
...spring of marjoram...
...foam flowing on the river...
...morning star."
"All over Seville. I've planted...
...defiant flags."
"And each flag says...
...darling, my darling."
- Better, wasn't it? - Yeah, better.
Shall I keep on lifting the leaf?
It would be funny if it weren't so serious.
- Like that? - A little more.
- What? - More time.
Time.
Well...
Did you find Conchita's picture?
I didn't.
I called her several times, day and night
I tried through a mutual friend.
That's enough.
But they're probably on the coast.
There's no way I can reach them.
We'll have to forget the picture.
It's a pity, it was so pretty.
Told you about it, didn't I?
Didn't I ever see it?
I don't think so, she only gave it to me.
We were standing in front of the school.
That's when she took the picture.
I remember it quite well.
I was quite impressed when I saw it.
We both had the same look...
...a kind of tense face...
...a kind of hunger, of passion for art.
Besides not having a cent to our name, of course.
We looked kind of...
...angry, yes, that's right.
Well, if we re lucky...
...I'll be able to find Conchita some day...
...and ask her for it.
Do you know how long I've been here?
No, I don't.
I mean, since I started working on this tree?
- How many months? - Months, weeks...
Monday, December 3
Sunday, December 9
Monday, December 10
Alright.
It's over.
Let's cover the lemon trees.
Tuesday, December 11
- Choose the ripest ones. - This one?
- They're full of spots... - He paints everything.
It's Dad's doing.
He marked them to make a drawing.
- Lovely! - Look how big this one is!
Remember when we made pounds of quince jelly?
Lovely.
Beautiful. - How many do you need?
A few more.
Wonderful.
How can such a small tree bear so much fruit?
All together...
...two hundred and three.
Man...
...we need at least six more houses for that.
Here you are, quince.
- Do you want to try it? - See what it's like.
You want some, Marek?
I'll give you some.
What if it's poisoned or something like that?
Don't be silly.
Here, Marek, try it.
- You sure it's edible? - Try it.
It tastes like an uripe pear.
Well?
Nothing to go wild about. Good for quince jelly.
A bit dry, isn't it?
Ready?
The shirt and the socks are different.
I know, but it's alright.
I can find them.
- Are they here? - Yes, they are.
They brought some things to hold.
We can choose them later. - Alright.
I'll put this here.
Isn't it pretty?
Alright, wait.
Turn your head a little. Not that much.
I think the head is higher.
- Higher, isn't it? - I think so.
Wait.
Don't move.
Get up, that's it.
Turn a little this way, yes, that's right
The hands...
Remember?
This hand was more or less here.
- You look great! - Isn't it pretty?
If you like it, it's fine with me.
- What? - You know my opinion.
Yes, yes, I know.
To work on a painting after so long...
...I think...
I could prepare a canvas that same size.
You'd start again completely free...
...from the beginning, without worrying.
I think that would be the best.
Maybe I will. I don't know.
Give me a few days.
What you're suggesting may be the best solution.
But I want to try something. Let's try it.
Isn't it pretty?
Lovely.
- Like it? - Very much.
What about this picture?
That's nice too.
Which should I be holding?
- We'll think about it. - Both of them ?
One?
We'll think about it.
We should take a trip.
Where would we go?
To Greece.
I'm in Tomelloso...
...in front of the house where I was born.
Across the square I see trees...
...that had never been there before.
I recognize the dark leaves...
...and the golden fruits of the quince trees.
My parents and I are beneath the trees...
...along with some people I can't seem to place.
I can hear our voices.
We chat peacefully.
Our feet sink in the muddy ground.
All around us, on the branches...
...the ever softer, wrinkled fruit hangs.
Dark spots slowly cover their skin.
In the still air, I feel their flesh rotting.
From where I stand...
...I can't tell if the others can see it too.
Nobody seems to notice that the quinces...
...are rotting under a light...
...I can't really describe.
Clear, yet dark, that changes all...
...into metal and dust.
It isn't the night light.
Neither is it that of twilight.
Nor of dawn...
Spring.