Child in a Straw Hat - National Gallery of Art - Copyist program

I am nearing the end of "Child in a Straw Hat" by Mary Cassatt...copying at the National Gallery of Art.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this piece and it is coming together quickly.  I chose it because I love the expression on the little girl's face.  It has been said that she was called away from her playmates to pose for this portrait and that caused the less than pleased expression on her face.  

As with my other copies my biggest challenge is mixing the colors to create the copy.  The colors in the original are so rich...it is such a good lesson for me.  Mix but not over mix...create soft strokes but boldly, and paint with thick globs of paint.  

Passers by are always very complimentary.  When I am feeling like I am lost someone will whisper "that is so good" as they walk by and I am encouraged to continue.  A young man of about 12 did ask me if I was trying to match the same colors as in the original.  I was struggling at the time and just looked at him and said "are you going to critique my work"?  He sheepishly said "no"...I did smile and wish him a good day.  He walked away smiling...I hope I didn't scare him.  Bruce says I scare people sometimes...It is hard for me to believe that is true ;)

Masked Ball at the Opera - National Gallery of Art Copyist Program

Masked Ball in progress

16 x 20

Oil on Panel

This is the latest progress on the Masked Ball piece at the National Gallery of Art.  It has been a couple of weeks since I last posted about it.  I just felt like I was working hard with not much progress to really show.  Today my goal was to finish the first layer of the faces and start on the balcony.  I was able to achieve that and am pleased with my progress.   The canvas is covered with paint and now I have to go back and put more paint on, detail, adjust and play.  It will be a fun next visit!  

My husband always comes to visit me at the gallery when I paint…he works two short block away so is easy for him to stop by and I love having the support.  Here is the obligatory action shot.  That is me using my new telescoping mahl stick.   He told me I put my easel in the wrong spot and he couldn't get a good picture.  Oh well…

The National Gallery had all their Holiday decorations up…it looks so festive!  AND It was very crowded!  Who'd a thought this would be a prime time to visit the gallery???  People are always very respectful and always very complimentary.    

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???  

National Gallery of Art Copyist Program

This is the piece I have chosen to copy at the National Gallery of Art.  It is titled "Masked Ball at the Opera" by Edouard Manet.  The sketch, by Manet,  for the original painting was done at the event, but then he completed it in his studio.  He spent months working on it often using friends to model.  It is thought that he included his likeness in the piece...one of the many top hatted gentlemen.  At the bottom right of the painting is a fallen dance card.  Manet chose to place his signature on the dance card.

I chose this painting for many reasons not the least of which is to challenge myself.  I love the energy in the piece created by the crowd of people.  The top hats intrigued me...as I do love hats...and I love the line the hats create that move the eye across the canvas.  The pops of color strategically placed also lets the eye dance across the sea of black.  I knew the hats would be a challenge and I knew all the black would also test my abilities.  

So I begin.  I gridded the canvas and counted the hats in each quarter of the painting.  Even with the grid and counting getting the correct number across in the correct proportions was daunting.  That occupied most of my time at the gallery.   I will be seeing top hats in my sleep!

As always, I encountered some interesting characters.  A group of home schooled children were on a field trip and stopped by to watch for a while.  I was on a brief respite from my sketching so I offered to take questions.  It is so rewarding to see young people interested in art and actually be able to answer their questions!  

So I look forward to next wednesday...the journey continues...

National Gallery of Art - Beatrice Townsend by John Singer Sargent

I am at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC again and working on Beatrice Townsend by John Singer Sargent.  I was having some difficulty with my colors last week so researched Sargent's palette and practiced mixing some colors in preparation of this weeks visit.  I am making progress...I did a lot of work on the background the face and the little puppy.  I still have a lot to do on the face...but thank heaven I have time!  ;)  For the puppy I concentrated on the exact brush strokes to show the dog's features.  It was so fun to think that I am trying to copy the exact brush strokes!!!  It really was evident more than any other part of the painting because the strokes are so defined.  

My joke of the week...an elderly lady walked up to me and asked if I painted the one on the wall also.  I really thought she was joking so I replied that I DID but it was many years ago.  I told her I was much older than I looked.  She walked away nodding!!!  I had to run after her and tell her I was joking!  It was painted by John Singer Sargent and I had her read the information under the painting.  Whew!!!   

I was, once again, overwhelmed by the complimentary comments of the visitors to the gallery.  Most people are so very nice.  Only one man said "it kind of looks like he one on the wall"...I thought ....kinda is OK...after all it IS JOHN SINGER SARGENT for pete's sake!  

National Gallery of Art - second visit

This is my second visit to the National Gallery of Art participating in the Copyist's program.  I am copying "Plum Brandy" by Edouard Manet.  I continue to learn, not only about the painting process, but I have also learned so very much about the artists of that time.  Along with the research I do at home, I am able to listen in on the tours going through the National Gallery of Art and find out all sorts of interesting things about the artists in the specific room I am painting in.  It is an education on so very many levels.  

Today's tours included a discussion on Manet's brush strokes...how bold and apparent they are.  Traditionally brush strokes, or paintings in general, were meant to accurately depict the subject...much like a photograph.  Once the camera was invented paintings became more about the art and less about directly copying to record an historic or family likeness.  Manet was a frontrunner in painting in an impressionistic manner and in depicting scenes from every day life instead of a posed more formal scene.    

Today's other big lesson is about color.  I have been struggling with mixing colors and getting the right shades.  This process is teaching me to be more thoughtful when I mix colors...to take my time and get it right the first time.  

Joke for the day...a young man was looking at my work and I happened to stroke the canvas with the wrong color...as I wiped off the stroke I leaned over to him and said "either he is wrong or I am...I am not sure"...well he found me less than amusing!  Good thing I appreciate my jokes!  

To say I am enjoying this experience would be an understatement.  This is one of the most significant things I have done to improve my artwork.  Stay tuned...