Day 4 and Done, "Bazille and Camille"

Things fell into place today, and I was able to wrap up this copy. All I had to do was tiny tweaks in Bazille's face, put in more of the foreground plants, and add more bright green leaves to the background forest. Also darken the blue sky slightly and add the sun dapples on the ground. They are not quite the correct color, and the brushstrokes are not Exactly like his, but I was going for the spirit of the painting rather than the letter, so to speak.

(click on the images for a larger view)

Now, on to the next one! I already requested, and got permission, to copy another early Monet:

I've been eyeing this painting for years. I think it will be pretty challenging - all those close shades of whites and neutrals, with bright primary colors surrounding the baby's face in the center of the painting. I love how the baby looks, like he's either about to cry or fall asleep. He doesn't look too happy, but like he's too tired to put up much of a fuss.

This weekend I'll stretch the canvas, which in accordance with National Gallery rules will be at least 2" smaller (or larger, but I always do smaller) than the original. I also try very hard to keep the same proportions. Next Tuesday I will bring the new canvas in and jump right in on this one. Stay tuned!

Bazille and Camille, Day 3

I returned to the National Gallery after two weeks off. It was a beautiful day - I had to pull out my camera and take this picture of the Calder sculpture with a very unusual tree shadow outside the museum's 7th Street entrance:

Then it was time to get to work on my copy. The first order of business was to make Camille a little shorter. It was not as hard to do as you would think - I just painted the background down over her shoulders a little, and lowered her bun and ear and hair, and then brought the background color down over her hat - voila, she got shorter! Just a little, but it made me feel better.

Here is the progress I made today: I put in a good deal of the light green grass and leaves, and I repainted all of Bazille: his hat, face, clothes, hand, and walking-stick. I had thought that I might finish today, but I decided not to rush it. There's not too much left to do, so next Tuesday should be my last day on this one.