Masked Ball at the Opera by Edouard Manet - Copied at the National Gallery of Art

Masked Ball at the Opera

by Edouard Manet

Copied by Maria Bennett Hock

National Gallery of art

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

The is the final version of my copy of this painting.  I believe I have taken it as far as I can.  I have certainly learned a lot.  A lot about mixing blacks and shades of black, angles of hats, positioning of figures and, of course, the importance of a sound foundation before beginning detail work.  

Manet sketched this scene on site.  He finished it in his studio often asking people he knows to pose for him. It is also believe that Manet is featured in this piece.  He is one of the top-hatted party attendees looking towards the viewer.  A final bit of trivia is the signature…it is located on the dance card that has fallen to the floor in the lower right of the piece.  

As I study the masters and their techniques and really delve into the details of individual paintings I am amazed at all I find out.  I cannot wait to begin my next piece.

Unfinished Mom and The National Gallery of Art

Unfinished mom

My mom doesn't like having her picture taken so getting sources for portraits is a challenge.  At our recent family reunion my brother Dan, and excellent photographer, took many family photos.  I love this one of my mom so I did a quick sketch just for fun.

This is my progress picture of the National Gallery of Art.  It still doesn't look like I have accomplished much but I have been working diligently.  I brought a tiny brush with me today…I usually try to use large brushes…but the detail on this one requires a very small one.  I started on the right and decided to paint each person in turn…It was slow going but it is such a rewarding piece to reproduce.  I am loving it!  

National Gallery of Art - Masked Ball at the Opera

Well, it looks like I have done precious little, but I worked for four hours today.  I had some struggles.  I initially sketched in the scene with a DARK watercolor pencil.  I usually just sketch in with my brush and a light neutral paint but really wanted to get the details so I decided to go with the pencil.  As I painted today the colors kept getting tainted by the watercolor pencil sketch and all my colors got muddy.  It was very frustrating.  I still have a long way to go, but will just be careful with my strokes to try not to mix with the pencil too much.  I didn't notice it last week because because I used dark colors all day long.  This week as I worked on the walls and light sconces it was quite a challenge.  Ah, well, I am here to learn!  

And here is the obligatory action shot…

The gallery was nice and quiet today.  I worked in peace most of the day.  One woman did ask if I wanted it to look like the original…huh????  Whadda ya think???