I'm re-reading this description of Sargent's methods, and wondering how many of you have read it, and what you have taken from it.
http://www.goodbrush.com/misc/painti...gent_notes.pdf
Sadly, Sargent did not document his process, but one of his students did. Some of the lessons in it seem like they could be engraved and hung on a studio wall.
He had no qualms about ditching an unsatisfactory painting and starting over. I think some of his work that looks spontaneous is because it really is. After spending weeks on a painting, he might set it aside, and start over. The final painting is completed in a very short period, but all the problems had already been worked out on the earlier version.
Another lesson is his method of painting a featureless face, adding the eyes and mouth near the end of the process. He's not just leaving the details out, he's leaving out everything except major masses. I've really got to try this. It's kind of like Bill Whitaker's loaf of bread (something else I need to try).
If anyone knows of more resources for Sargent's methods, please share.