I knew today would be the last day on this painting. I just had a little bit to do...
I started my day as I always do, by mixing several piles of colors. I mix all my colors from a limited palette of white, cadmium yellow medium, cadmium red light, alizarine crimson, ultramarine blue, burnt and raw umber. I like to have as many pre-mixed colors as possible, so when I pick up the brush and start painting, it's almost like choosing from a box of pastels.
First thing, I tackled the pitcher, because it looked much too rosy in color. After about an hour, I was satisfied that I had gotten it more into the right color family.
Next I worked on the fruit, mainly the large peach that is front and center. Mine looked too blotchy and bruised. I painted on it for awhile, and then I felt better about it. I also touched up the rest of the fruit.
After a nice long lunch break (one of the best things about copying at the National Gallery - they have a GREAT cafeteria, and a wonderful book store to peruse), I went over the hanging tapestry with an almost-dry brush in a neutral light-brown color. (That's where the raw umber came in.) It really helped, adding texture and toning down the bright colors. In the last half-hour, I quickly added some lighter browns to the dark background on the right, and then it was time to clean up.
After I cleaned my palette, of course I saw more that I could have done. But it was too late. So I turned in my permit and will take this one home next week. Next week I will start my next copy, which will be Mary Cassatt's "Little Girl in a Blue Armchair". I'm looking forward to painting all that luscious blue fabric with its almost abstract-impressionist scribbled patterns. Stay tuned!
(click on the images for a larger view)
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