copying at the National Gallery: The Cradle, day 3

July 15, 2014

The Cradle, day 3

Today was a good day! Got a ride with Katie again (yay, Katie!) - riding in with her not only saves me money and time, but also energy. I get a nice walk from where she drops me off to the National Gallery, before the day gets hot, and I also get to take some nice photos on the way:

My walk down Pennsylvania Avenue takes me past the National Archives...

...and the Federal Trade Commission...

...and the Department of Labor...

...and finally to the National Gallery, right at 10 a.m., when the doors open.

Today I concentrated on the baby's face, and from there worked on Camille's face and hat, corrected the chair back, and painted in the three primary-colored things surrounding the baby - the blue bow, the red feathers on the rattle, and the yellow pinwheel. Also painted the curtains (?) above Camille. Still a ways to go, but I'm happy with the progress I've made. I'll probably have to repaint some of this again, but I feel it's getting closer. (click on the photos for a larger view.)

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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

July 15, 2014

The Cradle, day 3

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