PAINTING

Art Masters Revisited

A Different Perspective

Watercolour by the Author.

Now & again I have a go at trying to copy some of the Masters we know, perhaps some not known so well? Don’t ask me why, I just find it a fun thing to attempt.

First up is perhaps a lesser known artist, besides myself that is!

It’s Daniel Sherrin, ( 1869–1940), an English artist and above is my take of his Rose Cottage, which had been in place in our Living room for some time, before my wife finally had a say and it now resides within my garage!

I actually really began to appreciate the use of darks and lights and of course some use of perspective as the trees fade into the horizon, once I commenced my attempt to reproduce it.

Also, I remember just how difficult a time I had with the flower beds, until finally, more or less starting from scratch again and covering up my watercolour flower attempts with acrylics!

In fact Sherrin became an artist of some repute with his almost mystical landscapes, so you never know.

His Rose Cottage image became a haunting image for me, as I could always see a mysterious face within it! Maybe that’s the real reason it’s now residing in my garage?

• Before my next take on copying the Masters, a little tale as to why I attempt any of this, even though some of my results are nothing like the originals!
• Perhaps that’s another reason why I do, I tend to reproduce them of sorts, but with my ‘style’ imprinted within them. That’s my excuse anyway!
• I’m never disappointed as to just how many things I begin to see within the originals when trying to reproduce any of them. They are not ‘The Masters’ for nothing.

Next up and I’ve included this one before in an earlier article on acrylics.

Edward Hopper’s ‘Lighthouse’.

Acrylics by the Author.

Yes, my very first time I let myself loose with acrylics. Literally ‘loose’ as my take is nothing like Edward’s far more serene scene.

However, I really enjoyed the experience with this one, taking up a medium that for one reason or another I’d always shunned to a great extent. I don’t nowadays.

• Another reason for me finally ‘coming out of the closet’ so to speak when displaying my take of the Masters, is in response to another true ‘master’ himself.
• None other than Christopher P Jones. An art writer & artist with a phenomenal following on this platform, which is truly well earned. His articles take apart the Masters in minute detail, together with exactly why they were painted and exactly who the artist really is. Incredible informative articles.
• Christopher kindly suggested within the comments section one day that I should exhibit my attempts within another article.
• Unbelievably I now have taken up his challenge!

Now, I’ll show you how I dismantled another famous painting in much the same style as Christopher, but without any of his accuracy!

For the next one up within my ‘infamous portfolio’ is none other than John Constable’s famous ‘Hay Wain’ painting.

No, surely not, I can hear you gasp, but in the art world, anything goes!

Watercolour by the Author.

To the ‘eagle eye’ amongst you and I guess Christopher’s spotted it already:

Yes, besides my uncanny knack of not reproducing the Masters, entirely in the mode of the original, I believe there’s another horse that should be present here!

My excuse, is that the image I had in front of me was a very dark one! Typical of all the ‘dark Master’ paintings in fact from that bygone age. They always seem so dark, maybe something to do with the pigments? At least I’ve brightened this one up a little as well.

Finally, phew!

I’m nearing the end, please forgive me for I know not what I do or indeed what I’ve now exposed myself to!

It’s the one & only Vincent Van Gogh for my next victim!

Watercolour & Acrylics by the Author.

The top painting of my ‘Van Gogh Trilogy’ tries to re-enact his famous ‘Sunflowers’, but of course with a difference!

I actually think his original had rather bland colours, even if I do say so myself, so I had a look around my back garden and heh presto! Up popped my take, a little brighter again. I know, I know, how very dare you!

I had to try a take on his portrait along the way, but it’s his ‘Starry Night Over The Rhone’ painting that I found the most interesting and absorbing. Intricate buildings on the horizon being one feature I’d not noticed previously.

I struggled with the reflections ( that’s not all, I can hear you all saying), but it’s the little couple in the foreground that also caught my eye.

For in all the times I’ve seen this painting, until I actually got down and dirty with my acrylics, I’ve never noticed them before! Again, I think my couple are not quite the same as Vincent’s?

In conclusion:

• I’ve found trying to reproduce, or not as the case may be, the ‘Masters’ , actually introduces me literally to a whole new world.
• For when you really study them, it’s incredible to see their fantastic detail, intricate perspectives going on and of course the sheer skill and awesome art techniques on display and easily achieved in each and every one.
• I’ll gladly go on record here, to say I’m no where near presumptuous to even begin to think I’ve reproduced any of them accurately. I know I haven’t, for that’s never been my goal.

If nothing else, I really enjoy the whole experience. A learning curve for sure.

Hope you have enjoyed my little expose here & maybe give me some suggestions within the comments, (hopefully not too damning,) of others I can have a go with!

Cheers.