Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Painting the "New" Masters



The blog this week is on copying the Masters. This process was done religiously among the Impressionists and even artists that came before them. They flocked to the museums, private collections and the many schools that taught traditional art techniques. What they learned was invaluable.
My students are exploring this old technique for learning, but we are copying the "new" masters. Those artists that they greatly admire and whose work is very recognized in today's world. They can also chose to copy the older artist like Cassatt, Van Gogh, Monet, etc. It's their choice and then after they copy a work, they need to chose one of their own photos to work from in that artist's style.
This affords them a way to test out different styles and techniques that can learn to incorporate in their own work or decide it's not for them.
The painting above is Chrissy's take on Albert Handell's style. Mr. Handell is a wonderful painter whose use of light, value and shapes are not only unique but wonderfully easy on the eye. I have had the honor of working side by side with him at several mentoring workshops and feel that this has enhanced my own art in many ways.
Any chance you get to paint alongside a master should be jumped on as you will learn so much from the experience. If you can not do this because of time, distance or finances then get books or go to museums where you can study their work up close and personal.
Now go Paint!!!
Jennylynne
PS: No work you copy can be sold. This is just for your own use and learning process.

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