copying at the National Gallery: It's coming along! Day 3, Cézanne's "The Peppermint Bottle"

May 20, 2013

It's coming along! Day 3, Cézanne's "The Peppermint Bottle"

I made it down there today by noon (I know, a late start again!), but I ate lunch before I started painting, thinking that I would paint for four hours straight. I made it until three, but then I totally ran out of steam. But I got quite a bit accomplished, I think.

(click on the images for a larger view)

The cutest thing that happened today was a class of teenage girls who all sat cross-legged on the floor behind me and quietly watched me paint for about 15 minutes. I told them they were such polite museum-goers!

Next Monday is Memorial Day, so it will be two weeks before I can work on this again. I'm thinking one more day ought to do it, two at the most. I'm already scouting around the museum for my next copy!

6 comments:

Taryn Day said...: This looks great, Amy! I love Cezanne, and this is one of my favorite paintings of his. You are getting the painting down very fast!; May 20, 2013 at 7:26 PM
Amy Mann said...: Thanks, Taryn! Yes, it is working out, although of course I see little problems with the drawing. Hopefully next time I'll be able to keep getting closer.; May 20, 2013 at 8:41 PM
Lorraine K. said...: Hi Amy,

Your artwork is simply wonderful! I'm so glad to have learned about your blog. What an honor to be part of the National Gallery of Art's "copying" program -- to do your art in such beautiful surroundings, amongst the greatest artists in the world! Lorraine; June 7, 2013 at 7:04 PM
Amy Mann said...: Yes, Lorraine, copying there is great! I hope to go back on Monday.; June 7, 2013 at 7:18 PM
Maria Bennett Hock said...: Love this! What a great opportunity. Love seeing your progress..can't wait to see what you decide to paint next.; July 15, 2013 at 8:59 AM
Amy Mann said...: I am taking the rest of the summer off from copying - I hope to be back in the museum in September!; July 15, 2013 at 10:37 AM

copying at the National Gallery

A friend turned me on to the Copyist Program at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. in the fall of 2000. Since I live in Northern Virginia, it is pretty convenient (about 45 minutes travel time) to get there. I called the Registrar of the museum to say I was interested in becoming a copyist, and she said she would mail me a packet of information and requirements. I received the packet in the next day's mail! I read through all the rules and regulations of being a copyist, and saw that I would need to come up with four letters of recommendation: two from people who knew me as an artist, and two character references. I immediately contacted four people who could serve as references, and asked them to mail in letters for me. I was also required to write my own letter, stating why I was interested in the copyist program. Finally, I had an interview with the Registrar and showed her two of my paintings. I was accepted into the program that day, and within a month of that first phone call, I was standing in the National Gallery copying my first painting.

Copyists are given a locker in a locked room in the museum. I keep my current painting there, in the painting rack. I have to ask a guard to unlock the copyists' room whenever I want to access my locker. The museum provides a large easel, stool, and dropcloth, which are in position in the gallery I am copying in. A permit must be obtained for each painting I copy, and I'm only allowed to work on one at a time. I have to have my permit on me or with the painting all the time, and show it to the guards on request. Only one copyist is allowed in a room on a given day, and some of the rooms are off limits because they are too small. Only works in the West Building are available for copying. There are other restrictions, such as not being able to sell your copy while on National Gallery property, and having to size your copy at least two inches smaller or larger than the original.

copying at the National Gallery

May 20, 2013

It's coming along! Day 3, Cézanne's "The Peppermint Bottle"

6 comments:

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