Women with a Parasol by Claude Monet - Copying at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC

This is where I am on my "Woman with a Parasol" by Claude Monet copy.  I worked on the grass quite a bit today and the sky...clouds specifically.  I am pleased with my progress and feel like I have learned so very much.  Monet's palette is becoming more comfortable and mixing the colors I need coming more easily.  The loose, seemingly random, brush strokes are still a challenge, but I am able to capture the feel of the piece if not match stroke for stroke.  All in all it is a wonderful experience. 

While painting I looked over and noticed this little "copyist".  What a doll.  I quickly pulled out my cell phone and asked the lady next to me...."may I take a picture of your daughter"? She was very happy and said I could!  After I snapped the shot she said "But that is not my daughter"...REALLY!!! So I asked the crowd who she belonged to and got permission to keep the photo.  Not to be outdone the first mom said..."here is my daughter and she is drawing too"...I gladly obliged by snapping some more photos.  

As I was painting, of course I get a lot of comments and thank heaven most of them are very complimentary.  One man looked at the original Monet and said "You missed a spot"...I am happy that I was quick enough to say "actually HE did...mine is correct"...hahaha.

The top comment of the day came when a young, around 12 year old,  girl told me she thought my version of the painting was better than the original.  I told her that was my favorite comment of the day.  

Lady with a Parasol - Monet today

I am copying  "Woman with a Parasol" by Claude Monet at the National Gallery of Art.  Monet painted his wife and son on a family outing.  It is thought that he completed the painting in one sitting and the portrayal was meant to be a casual setting rather than a formal portrait.  

I, on the other hand, have been working on copying this piece for a month now and this is how far I have gotten.  I worked on the sky quite a bit today and while painting "quell horror" I noticed the bottom of the dress was not close enough to the boy!  So I worked on that too...reworking the skirt folds and swirls.  

The things I am really working on with this piece are the palette and brushstrokes.  Monet's palette is quite different for me.  I long for yellow ochre...but I am getting used to his colors and getting better at mixing to get what I need. Such a good exercise for me.  The other big challenge is trying to capture the spontaneity of his strokes.  They seem to be haphazardly splashed on the canvas though I am sure more thought was given to their placement.  

I must say the National Gallery was crowded in spite of our frigid spring weather.  I had MANY more people ask me questions than ever before.  Asking if they could take pictures and about the copyist program.  I really had to concentrate to get anything done.  One little girl asked me how many of the paintings on the wall I had done.  I had to confess that I did none of the ones currently hanging at the gallery.  >sigh<  There were many people walking by quietly whispering "good job" which is nice.  Once lady told me "at least you got the umbrella right"...not sure how to take that.  All in all it was a great day and I am pleased with my progress.