For the past week I have been busy preparing for the upcoming Suffolk show {more to come after I deliver the paintings to the gallery} and then before I realized it Monday was upon me and it was time to return to the National Gallery of Art (NGA).
Between last week and this week I thought about what method would be best to use when copying the painting, finally I realized that using a medium to thin the paint and to apply layer upon layer of paint to resemble what de Heem created in the original painting. For this week I really focused on the lower portion of the painting, trying to capture the affect of the marble table, and refining some proportions of the glass vase. I made the decision to paint the entire table surface and then to later paint on top of this with the details of the pea pods and such. I used a medium of linseed oil with a few drops of damar varnish and a #2 filbert bristle brush and sometimes a #2 sable filbert brush. During the day it became clear that next week I will need to bring a maul stick to stabilize my hand.
This painting is full of detail -- insects, thorns, and subtle highlights -- it will be a pleasure seeing how this experience unfolds...
Thanks for stopping by and reading,
Liz
4 comments:
What a wonderful adventure you must be having! I can only imagine how it would feel to stand in the National Gallery of Art, and actually paint from a masterpiece right in front of you. Wow! I just visited there for the first time this past spring and it is an incredibly beautiful place. Thank you for sharing your uncommon experience there!
WOW. You are brave. What a great way to practice and in such a fantastic setting!
You'll do well, I'm sure. I'll be back to see.
Hi Debbie and welcome! This is a wonderful opportunity, being in such close proximity to so much great artwork is very inspiring!
Thanks Mary! So far it has been a fantastic experience that will only get better as I get more comfortable with the gallery visitors walking around.
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