Velazquez study
This doesn't qualify as a portrait copy...I had the good fortune to do this in front of the original. Took me 6 weeks, going everyday (except Mondays and weekends). Size was 130cm x 97cm, oil on canvas.
I was reading what Georges Michael and Karin Wells have said in this section about the value of looking to the old masters and copying them as part of one's formation. Truly valuable.
I tried as much as possible to imitate the essence of Velazquez' brushstroke and having the original within a few inches from one's face truly helps. Nevertheless, the Master is still the master and I am merely the student. He was an awesome virtuoso with the brush and I feel very honored to have had this experience.
Carlos
|