Mr. Martin – thank you so much. That’s a huge compliment considering much of what I know and have learned about painting has come from you and your helpful posts on this website and your blog. Thank you, Sir.

No, I’ve only observed Rockwell’s work in books. I used a reference picture I found on Google to create the above painting but after looking at the same same image in a several Rockwell books I found at the library, there’s quite a variety of color shifts between book editions. I suppose this is due to the printing process of various publishers. So, I took the best guess – I figured so long at the values were right, it would all come together.

Rockwell is so good at what he does – he is able to tell a story with his paintings. Here’s my interpretation of the Doctor and Doll: the doctor is quite “serious” about his work (check out the original doctor’s face here) he doesn’t have time to be doing silly stuff with dolls. You can tell by the look on his face and the serious looking diploma, mini-Rembrandt painting, and books on the shelf. And being dressed up in a tux (rather than a doctors coat) he’s probably on his way to some gala event where “serious” doctors go. And of course the girl is just as serious about her doll, she’s removed his clothes (look at the blue polka-dotted dress under her arm) and she has stomped her foot (check out the rumpled up carpet beneath her left toe) and the pout on her face. I can hear her saying “Doctor, you must examine my doll, this is serious!” Yes, Rockwell was not just a good artist but some sort of genius too.