"Wapping", Day 4

Today I worked on getting rid of all the white canvas I hadn't covered before. I reduced the size of the central man's head. I'm trying to keep things simple and get the large areas of darks, lights, and colors correct.

"Wapping", Day 3

I only had three hours at the NGA today, so I didn't get too much done. Adjusted the placement of the vertical dark bar on the right (moved it to the right about an inch.) Roughed in the faces and a few boats just behind the man's shoulder. I still didn't get all the white canvas covered. This painting is so complex, it's going to take me quite a while, I want to be patient. I took a few detail pictures so you can see how Whistler applied the paint in a very abstract manner.

This is in the upper right corner

This is in the upper left corner - look at all the little people in the rigging (I can't see them from where I stand to copy) and Whistler's signature logo in the corner.

in the middle (click the photos for a larger view.)

Chinese copyists

For the past two weeks, painters from China have been copying at the NGA. I went down there yesterday to see what they were up to.

I was particularly fascinated with the one who was copying the El Greco. His paint was thick and bold, and his style was loose and energetic. I'll have to try that, and loosen up and use more paint!

I'll be back at the Gallery next Wednesday to continue with the Whistler.