Painting with the Masters- Jan-Feb 2011- John William Waterhouse

[stapeliad]

Happy New Year everyone! We are starting up the forum projects again. After much discussion among the forum staff, we have made a few changes to the structure.

Since the purpose of these threads is to emulate the working methods of past masters, as well as learn some history, we are unifying the approach of these projects to focus on a single technique at a time. Additionally the timeframe has been extended to two months.

This means that, unlike in past threads, we are asking that all participants work in the technique in which the original painting was made and stick to a Recommended Minimum size: 24 x 36 in, 61 X 91.4cm) Feel free to work larger if you are so inclined.

Think of this group project as a Free Online Class. Everyone is welcome! All skill levels!!

This month’s focus is on John William Waterhouse, and we will be focusing on a direct layered approach.

We will also be spending the first two weeks doing drawing studies. During this two week period, we’ll do multiple drawing studies. It will also give you time to get your supplies from the recommended supply list, if necessary.

Throughout the duration of the project, I, and anyone else who wants to, will post historical bits about Waterhouse and his contemporaries.

Here are the paintings up for consideration:

Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses
Oil on canvas
1891
92 x 149 cm
(3' .22" x 4' 10.66")



Link to Hi-res Image

I chose this painting because of the drawing challenge, and also the fabric transparency.


My Sweet Rose (a.k.a 'The Soul of a Rose')
88.3 x 59.1 cm



Art Renewal Link


Tristan and Isolde with the Potion
81.28 x 109.22 cm
(32" x 3' 7")



I chose this for all you Valentines Day romantics! Also because of the metal armor.

Hi res image

Mariana in the South
74 x 114 cm
(29.13" x 3' 8.88")



Highest Res image I can find

This is a cool painting, which I chose for the unique pose as well as the architectural elements. Those of you wanting a perspective challenge, there it is!


**************************************
Getting Started:
We are taking the first two weeks to DRAW.
First, choose one painting to focus on. In upcoming posts I will post modified images of each painting to help you with lines, values, etc.

Drawing Supply List:
Paper- sketchbook size for small detail studies, if you can get some larger sheets of 18x24 it would be a good idea as well.

Conte, charcoal, graphite, ink or any of your preferred drawing media. I encourage everyone to do line studies as well as value studies.


Upcoming:
• Further resources
• Modified images
• Sample Waterhouse drawings
• Historical/biographical info
• Recommended palette information

[NancyMP]

I'm really glad this has been revived, Jessica! I was asking earlier if it would come back and I was told you were going to bring it back to life. This is terrific, and I hope a lot of Wet Canvas painters join in!

[!becca]

Jessica, congratulations on putting together a remarkable group from Waterhouse to work from. They are all stunning, this will be a worthwhile experience for all who participate!

[lovin art]

YaY , love this Jess , thankyou for taking the time and others to set this all up , much appreiated , I think this will so great to see all the versions that will come from this group study ...

[dcorc]

Thank you for starting this, Jessica. I've posted the ancillary "Drawing for Painting 101" thread which gives general guidance for drawing principles:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=835932

Dave

[janeTuesday]

Jessica , haven't you been putting in the hours!!!! This sounds and looks wonderful, how can we not be a part of this!!! I am definitely in on this Thinking 'my sweet rose' or 'mariana in the south' for me

[janeTuesday]

quick question.... do we post our drawing in this thread? And then do we post our progress of painting in here as well?

[stapeliad]

Hi Jane! Yes, please post your drawings here. I'll post some tonight, I had to go back to work yesterday and evening time was short. We are just drawing for the first two weeks.

[!becca]

Jessica, I don't think I will be able to complete the entire project, but I would like to participate in drawing with you here. I have intentions of doing more drawing this year and I would love to start here.

[stapeliad]

Becca please post drawings! And anyone else, too!

[!becca]

Jessica, I will as soon as I can get started with them. Maybe tonight.

[lovin art]

Hi Everyone , here my start to "The Rose" its not perfect but its a start and Im wrapped I got this down with just my eye no plumlines this time...I will of course do another drawing, taking more care to get the plumlines and proportions better in the next one....

[stapeliad]

Sandra she is lovely!

Here is a link to more Waterhouse drawings and sketches.





I'll be doing the Rose painting, and hope to get some drawing time in this week... time has been extremely short.

[!becca]

Jessica, these drawings are very beautiful! Inspiring and intimidating all at the same time.

I will give it a try though.

[!becca]

This is a bit rough and I ran out of paper at the bottom of my page, but it was fun to do and is a start. I would have worked on bringing up the values more, but I ran out of time.