I decided that today was going to be my last day on this copy. Because of my work schedule and the way federal holidays have fallen on my copying days (every other Friday), it's taken me several months to get to this point - day 7 on this painting.
Even though I see things wrong with parts of the drawing (some books are the wrong proportions) and areas of color and value (my copy seems darker/lighter/different, etc...), I just said to myself, Oh Well, and went ahead and put in as much detail as I could (nails, dirt, bits of torn paper and labels) and that's it for this copy! I'm ready to move on.
(click the images for a larger view)
I did have fun painting this! I guess I'm a realist at heart. And it was fun painting the sorts of books that I see in the donation bin at the library on a daily basis!
My next copy is going to be "The Mill in Winter", by Edward Willis Redfield. It was recently acquired when the National Gallery absorbed the Corcoran's collection.
This is a large painting, 50"x56", and Redfield painted it on site in one day! I'm going to stretch a 32"x36" canvas, which is the same proportions, but comes in at an acceptable size (the National Gallery doesn't allow your copy to be more than 40" without special permission.) It's fortunate that the dimensions came out to an even size that isn't too small.
This wintry picture feels fitting for this time of year. I have painted outdoors in winter a couple of times (once when it was 15 degrees with a 20-mile-per-hour wind!), and it's a real challenge! I'll be thinking of that while I am copying this painting, warm and cozy in the National Gallery. I hope to start it in four weeks. See you then.
3 comments:
I love your "Take Your Choice"! While I'll take your word about the differences, they sure don't pop out, and the lighting is different (per force) on your canvas and on the original on the wall, as well. You are sure going to go for something about as different as you can go for this next time! Obviously, you have no fear!
I love your "Take Your Choice"! I'll take your word for it about the differences, but they sure don't stand out - and the lighting is different (per force) on your canvas than on the original on the wall as well. You have certainly picked something about as different as possible for your next work - you have no fear!
Thank you, Em! I take your "no fear" to be a real compliment! That is my aspiration when it comes to painting, and especially painting in public. Copying in the National Gallery is a great way to get used to having your art scrutinized.
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