New Masters Project

2/05/2010 08:19:00 PM Posted In , Edit This 21 Comments »
Today the books I ordered with drawings of the masters arrived.  I got one book of DaVinci drawings, one of Raphael, and one of John Singer Sargent.  I quickly thumbed through the 3 of them, and I decided to switch to Sargent because the style was entirely different from the "DaVinci" I just finished.  I also decided to start a new sketch book devoted entirely to these sketches.

So, after deciding on Sargent, I picked out a drawing that I naively thought would be a relatively easy one to start with .... NOT!  It's a "simple" line drawing, so it seemed like a good one.  Ha!  The problem is that there is absolutely no room for fudging anything - it either works or it doesn't.  So, here is my feeble beginning, followed by the reference drawing. 

 

 

21 comments:

Janet Ghio said...

I think this whole idea of yours is really interesting and I am enjoying watching your progress!

Vicki Holdwick said...

Boy Nancy,

You are really on a roll.

Loving what you are doing,

xoxo

Timaree said...

I think you are doing very well so far. The lady has a lump on her throat doesn't she? What is the time frame on these pics? Could she have goiter from lack of iodine?

Anonymous said...

Oh yes! I remember this from art school. You will have fun and learn so much from this. You're off to a very good start.

Shirley said...

Great drawing. You really captured the look of the woman in his famous oil painting.

Anonymous said...

Not feeble at all! A great start.

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

you are good!

Alex said...

Oh wow Nancy... is this going to be a series?
It's an awesome start I can see... love the outline already ^^

Anonymous said...

I certainly don't see this as 'feeble' - you have drawn lovely lines here.

Sarah said...

This is excellent. One of my favourite drawings by Sargeant too - in fact I think I copied it once too!

Anonymous said...

Oh Nancy...you are brave! Madame X has captivated viewers forever! And here you are, doing a terrific job. Yea YOU!!!

Cynthia said...

Fabulous job. You've almost got it. It is easy to see the minor adjustments needed. I love his paintings and was just at the MFA in Boston looking at some them. Looking forward to seeing what you do.

Sandra said...

From experience I believe that the more simple a piece, the harder. You, however, may it look easy.

Janene said...

Great idea to be copying the works of the masters. I think it would be a helpful way to learn composition, and so many other things. I agree that the simpler the drawing, the more each detail counts. The simple elegance of Sargent's drawing is amazing. You have made a respectable effort at capturing it.

Unknown said...

Ah, the deceptively simple drawings...been there!! But, you've done a great job of it!

Florence's Art said...

I'm really enjoying these, it is such a good idea. They are coming out great. Thanks for sharing with us.

DALowe Artist said...

Great idea. You're doing great with these - looking forward to more.

Ann said...

That does look very difficult to do and I think you did a fantastic job! Bravo!

Unknown said...

An interesting idea. You are right about line drawings being unforgiving, so I think you are very brave for trying.

Thanks for stopping by.

arlene said...

Nancy....
you're doing great! I'd luv to claim your drawings as my own - I'd be so proud...
thanks for sharing - it's wonderful being able to follow your progress - really motivates me to get my a-- in gear and actually do something!
hugs
arlene

lyn said...

Nice drawing and an interesting blog. Thanks for the nise comment on the glass and wire earrings.
continued success!