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...

National Gallery of Art - Day one

I arrived at the National Gallery of Art to begin this artistic endeavor.  I got my Copyist's  Permit and locker where I will be keeping my supplies and store my canvas.  My canvas was measured to make sure it is the required 2 inches larger or smaller than the piece I am copying and then the back of the canvas was stamped indicating approval.  

Then I entered the gallery I would be painting in and set up.  It was daunting...but was very exciting.

First I showed my permit to the guard in the gallery so he could log me in. Then I set up my palette and adjusted the easel, positioned it and began to sketch in the figure.  The painting I am copying is titled "Plum Brandy" by Edouard Manet.  The sketch went pretty well...I found everyone to be very pleasant, friendly and helpful.  

After the initial sketch I began mixing the colors.  This I found particularly challenging.  The palette of colors used by Manet in 1878 is quite different from the tubes of paint I use today.  That coupled with the way the paint may have changed due to environmental issues make it difficult to achieve the same colors...at least for me.  I managed to get colors I was reasonably happy with and blocked in most of the colors.  The aspect ratio of my canvas was not exactly right so I drew lines on each side to narrow it.  Aspect ratio is a term my husband used when I asked him to figure out what size canvas I should order.  I couldn't find anything perfect, so decided to use a 16 x 20 panel and adjust the sides as I needed.  I will cut the panel later if I choose to frame this piece.  

This is a view of my easel and setup with the painting "Plum Brandy" by Eduard Manet in the background.  

My first day went very well.  I was pleased with my progress.  People perusing the gallery were more than generous with their kind comments and asked quite a few questions about my work and the Copyist Program.  I feel I am learning so very much in so many areas of my artistic journey.  I am studying all aspects of painting...the history, techniques, palettes, as well as dealing with people from small children to adults discussing artwork, galleries and anything else you can imagine.  I am looking forward to my next visit.    

National Gallery of Art Copyist Program - Plum Brandy

I have applied for and been accepted into the copyist program at the National Gallery of Art on the National Mall in Washington DC.  The copyist program allows artists to reproduce some of the Master artists’ work in a controlled and monitored environment.  It is a great way to grow as an artist.  My goal is to copy some of my favorites, John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, Degas, Manet, Monet...the list goes on.  

I chose a day to work...Thursday...and then I chose a piece of artwork to work from.  If available I can begin.  My plan is to begin on May 9th, to paint a piece called “Plum Brandy” by Edouard Manet, assuming it is available.  That may change.

From the website here is the official explanation...

http://www.nga.gov/education/volunteer.shtm

“The National Gallery of Art copyist program has been in operation since the Gallery opened in 1941. A permit issued by the registrar's office is required for copying works of art in oil or any other liquid medium. The Gallery provides permit holders with an easel, stool, and drop cloth; private easels are not allowed. Visitors may sketch with pencils or other dry media in the galleries without a permit.

To participate in the copyist program, applicants must meet all requirements outlined in the National Gallery of Art "Rules Governing the Copying of Works of Art" and agree to an interview and a security background check; they must acknowledge in writing their acceptance of the rules. 

The issue of a copyist permit does not in any way constitute the National Gallery of Art's endorsement of a copyist's work.”

I will post my progress...

This is my first sketch of "Plum Brandy."  One of the things I really like about this piece is the feeling it gives me.  It is portraying loneliness.  It is a young woman in a cafe.  I don't know why she was there, but the painting makes me feel her solitude.   I love artwork that resonates a feeling.  

I love painting figures and love portraying emotion so this is a perfect start for my National Gallery of Art endeavor.  

Plumb Brandy

Edouard Manet

Here is the original.  After I sketched the piece a couple of times I worked with colors and just worked to match the color of the dress and background.  I noticed how similar the colors of the the dress, skin tones, and table top are.  I have been working on mixing the colors and getting ready for my first visit as a copyist to the National Gallery of Art.  

Splish Splash!

Splish Splash!

8 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

The Hilton Head 4 Bi-weekly challenge continues with Lydia's resource photo of a little girl in a pool.  I loved painting the water and wavy reflections of her pink suit in the water.  It was quite a challenge for me...really stretching myself out of my comfort zone.  

These challenges make me paint things I would never choose and though I am sometimes stumped...I always appreciate the knowledge gained from the new and unusual resources to paint from.  

This is Lulu's rendition of the source photo.

And Lydia's painting!

The Field Trip - National Gallery of Art

The Field Trip

12 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

This is the continuation of this painting depicting a group of school boys on a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.  They were all taking notes and hopefully talking about the artwork...though I think they noticed the girls from a nearby school who were also on a field trip. 

The painting in the background is called "The Old Musician" by Edouard Manet.  One thing I really love about painting these pictures from the National Gallery of Art is the education I get researching the paintings in the background.  I like to find out as much as I can about the master's artwork and then try to find a commonality between the two pieces.  In this one the people in the background are mimicked by the boys on the field trip.   

Sherrie McGraw workshop portraits

This is the first painting I did at the Sherrie McGraw workshop.  The whole process was wonderful but very different.   When beginning these paintings, instead of defining features by drawing the head, eyes, nose, etc....I massed in the area that the figure occupies.  The idea is to identify the overall concept of the piece.  It is a very freeing way to establish features by capturing the light and shadows.  

I was able to get a little farther along with this figurative piece.  I realized the facial features more and worked on the folds in the fabric.  It was the second piece I worked on at the workshop and I was getting used to the procedure a bit more.  

Here area couple of action shots of Sherrie McGraw explaining the process to me.  It was fascinating...the workshop...meeting Sherrie McGraw and Jacqueline Kamin...and painting using their processes.  I am anxious to incorporate those processes into my work and anxious to see the result.  

Stay tuned...

Sherrie McGraw Workshop

Workshop sample

not for sale

I attended a Sherrie McGraw workshop in Atlanta, Georgia last week and painted portraits from life all week.  The last day I decided I needed to get out of my comfort zone and try a still life.  It is quite a departure for me.  I learned so very much. Sherrie McGraw and Jacqueline Kamin helped me out with composition, colors and Sherrie even painted ONE of my roses...guess which one Sherrie painted and which ones I did...

More about the workshop after I catch up on my sleep!!!