This is a continuation of the post how was that oil painting made part 1.
We were in the middle of re-creating a painting of a girl by John Singer Sargent..
Essentially, the same thing is done again, just more carefully. Edges become more established, corrections are made and features begin to get indicated. Note that I said “indicated” only. Not finished.
The main areas of light and shadow become more defined, like on the red sash and the shadow area on the girl’s face.
He was always preparing his painting for those final strokes that make the painting special. That make Sargent the great painter that he was.
Those special things that can’t be taught.
Now, the time has come. He has done his preparation well. His foundation was done. Time to start getting into the details now.
Time to make final decisions and get more into the real drawing part now. Outlines are sharpened even more. Light areas on the hair are established. Features can begin to be concentrated on because the main large shape of the face has been established. In other words, the foundation for the features was set.
In the last stages all the detail is worked out.
All of the things most people will notice and admire first (the fur on the dog, the wetness of the lips, the whites of the girl’s eyes, etc.) are all added now.Yes he would take a lot of time getting these details right. But, he could give them his full concentration
This is only possible because he spent so much time on his preparation. His main masses that hold the painting together.
The process is one of putting the details on top of the main masses. You keep putting paint on the canvas correcting and adding more detail. Only when Sargent had the large masses just the way he wanted them could he concentrate on the details. The eyes of the girl could have his full attention.
Sargent knew that the main masses were correct and would not have to worry about them. He could concentrate on only the details he was working on.
Related posts:
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
These tips and lessons are priceless. Just reading the few I’ve received over the past two days has opened my eyes to how a finished painting is created. I’ve completed my first oil painting (after a 15-year break) and I had NO idea where to begin. I kept it simple but was still uncertain of what I was doing. This article in particular answered a lot of my questions. My next painting won’t be nearly as confusing.
THANK YOU for providing this valuable information!
Christie
YOUR LESSON IS SO CLEAR! I TAKE CLASSES WITH AN ART TEACHER THRU MY TOWN’S CULTURAL PROGRAM, AND THE LESSONS YOU GIVE ARE SO MUCH EASIER TO UNDERSTAND! PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING! THANKS! MARIA
NONE OF YOUR PICS ON THIS PAGE http://1oilpainting.com/how-was-that-oil-painting-made-part-2/ DISPLAY.
I would like to learn how to develop the skin tones that Rembrandt and Sargent achieved in their oils. I have completed a course in figurative oil painting therefore I am not in the least interested in a basic course…I’m not sure whether or not even sure an intermediate course is what I seek. Do you offer for sale anything, perhaps a DVD, that addressess these more advanced, end-stage techniques?
Hi Jack
… more I reed, more I get convinced that I need and want your lessons
hug from Bruxelles