At the Museum

This is my drawing of the Lievens painting.  We get two hours a week and its a lot of  fun. I have another couple of weeks to work on this and I sure hope I get it finished.

The Artistic Process

The artist contemplates his work.

Old Master Portrait

There is a new show at the Milwaukee Art Museum featuring the work of Jan Lievens, who was a friend, fellow student and studio buddy of Rembrandt. Its a brilliant show, he did terrific portraits and I was lucky enough to get into a class that allows me to copy one of his works. It was hard to chose but there were two portraits of men in turbans with feathers that were knock-outs. I picked the painting above, a picture of a young man in a turban and cloak. It's pretty when you see it on the web, but in person it's gorgeous. We are only allowed to draw, not paint, I think because of the fear that fumes from paint solvent would damage the paintings. The point is to study the technique and composition of an old master and understand how he put it all together. I made a good start last week and got the basic shapes in fairly well, and since  he doesn't look like a space alien in my drawing, I think I'm doing ok so far. 

Black & White Drawing

This sort of confusing photo is of another black and white cast study. It looks all out of shape, and yet in person it looks pretty exact. Really. No, really. It does. Honest.  Maybe I need to recheck my proportions. Better yet, I am going to stop showing the drawing and the still life together!  Then you will have to take my word for it. 

See, it now has perfect proportions!

Ribbon Work Bag

I can't believe I haven't posted since November! How can that be?I made this little bag and gave it to a friend last week. She liked it and said she was putting her mothers wedding ring in it.

Its a kind of a muslin cotton worked with silk ribbon embroidery, beads and pearls. It came out so nicely that I think I'll make some more. As I remember, its about 3x5 inches square. I found a place that sells small silk bags similar to this so maybe I'l give them a try.