How I Painted My First Reproduction of an Old Master’s Art
My name is Gilberto Mello, I have been a student in the Web Art Academy and Drawing Academy courses for a number of years. Just recently I joined the Old Masters Academy program, with Natalie Richy. I am enjoying the Old Masters courses a great deal and I am pleased by the very comprehensive and easy to follow lessons provided in the program, which I can review as many times as necessary, learning at my own pace.
I thrive to become a better artist every step of the way, so in my attempts to produce new paintings I tend to observe and question how the Old Masters have reached their glorious results.
The Old Masters Academy course has provided me with answers to many of my questions, which increased my enthusiasm to continue improving my skills in art.
The example that I show here is my first attempt of a reproduction from a work by the great French painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau: “Seated Nude“; the original piece measures approximately 46 by 36 inches (117 by 90 cm) and I tried a size that is about 1/2 of that, executed in oil on linen substrate prepared with gesso ground and light greyish-brown imprimatura. The images that I present are the first drawing and the -still evolving- glazing phase of the painting.
I used the Old Masters Academy lessons approach in the following manner:
- Drawn the figure on paper, carefully noting the body proportions and posture of the model
- Transferred the drawing to the canvas following the method taught in the Old Masters Academy art lessons
- Applied a first layer (dead color) to the figure, while rendering the scene background and foreground at the same time, and let it dry
- Applied layers of colors using a limited palette, similar to the Titian’s basic palette colors, and also let it completely dry; and
- Applied (still ongoing) glaze using linseed stand oil medium with minimum amount of pigment colors, carefully noting the nuances and transitions between shadows, mid-tones and highlights.
I am very pleased with the results I am obtaining in this reproduction work.
Today I feel more confident on my skills as a painter, after following the Old Masters Academy course.
It is my belief that anyone having the will to learn to become an artist can achieve it; the steps might be long and laborious and, yes, one needs to find time, but these are not real reasons to feel discouraged to start any time.
I hope my example can serve everyone well, also hope to receive other Old Masters Academy students comments in the future.
Gilberto Mello
Gilberto Mello says
Dear Natalie and Vladimir and all support team in the Old Masters Academy – I am so thrilled to read the nice posting about my art work in the Old Masters Academy site, thank you very, very much! I consider it a tremendous reward for my efforts as a student of your Old Masters program, I appreciate it so much.
Best regards to all,
Gilberto Mello
Madena says
Well done Gilberto! The graduation of body colours is well executed.Her hands are superb and the reflection of her foot in the water is excellent. Well done! You should be very proud of yourself!
Gilberto Mello says
Dear Madena, I know this is a way late reply but I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your kind words about my master’s copy of Bouguereau. We copy the old masters not to imitate them but to learn their touch, by trying their same path to at least approximate their original work. To me it is still a great way to learn techniques in our art as well.
Best regards,
G. Mello