Lady Agnew (by John Singer Sargent)

Oil on canvas panel 71cm x 56cm.
Painted mainly for the sake of seeing whether I could adequately render the appearance of the fabrics (plus I love the picture anyway). Wasn't concerned about the facial accuracy (or inaccuracy).

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Comment by Jon Main on November 12, 2016 at 21:59: Yeah, good point about distracting from the COI.

Looking at the original JSSargant it's softer than I remembered too (and I've seen the original - long time ago)).

In fact, I wouldn't have mentioned the 'grand manner/bravura brushwork if I hadn't noticed that your painting is a reasonable size!

Personally I like it when the surface and content are in balance - that I think is why Sargant, Sorolla, Zorn Beaux are so liked. If you can't feel the artists hand/energy, you risk heaing towards 'photography' I feel... (which can be good sometimes, as you also say...)

Comment by Lawrence Easton on November 12, 2016 at 15:46: Thanks Jon. I have made a couple of very subtle improvements to the face since I posted this picture, and I must say it looks rather good now.

Maybe I could have laid the paint on a bit thicker in places (Sargent is apparently known for his fearless application of large amounts of paint). But I always feel that the thicker the paint, the more it attracts attention, so I usually try to keeps things a bit thinner and softer away from the centre of interest.

Whistler's view was that paint should not be applied thick. It shouldn't show any distinguishing brush marks of the painter. The painting is its own self. It should not appear to have been created by someone. It should appear as though a breath on a pane of glass.

Who's right and who's wrong? I don't know. But I do prefer Sargent's work to Whistler's. And I think I want to work towards increasing my paint thickness a bit overall.

Comment by Jon Main on November 11, 2016 at 5:50: I think the face is astonishingly good - surely the most fraught part to pull off. You seem to have played down the impasto/slashing paint application (notably in the near part of the dress) for a softer approach, Lawrence?

Comment by Lawrence Easton on November 10, 2016 at 20:59: Thank you Pauline and thank you Linda.

Comment by Linda McNeill on November 10, 2016 at 20:47: Dress is rendered beautifully, Lawrence.superb!

Comment by Pauline Le Merle on November 10, 2016 at 7:12: Wonderful!

Comment by Lawrence Easton on November 9, 2016 at 22:33: Thanks Silke. I love Sargent's work. Something to strive towards!

Comment by Lawrence Easton on November 9, 2016 at 22:10: Thanks Cheryl and Mark.

Yes, I more or less completed it at Atwell on Sunday, Mark but last night I made a slight adjustment to her jawline, as I commented below, and also a very slight adjustment to her collarbones (so the improvements aren't shown on this picture).

I think I am very happy with it now.

Comment by Silke Sauritz on November 9, 2016 at 22:09: You chose my favorite portrait from Sargent and you did a very good job with the fabric. A good idea for practice.

Comment by Mark Price, on November 9, 2016 at 19:47: Well Laurie, this is fabulous, completed at Attwell ?

Catch you soon, and congrat's on your wonderful exhibition last week.