Sargent's Grays - Next Step

Sargent's Grays - Next Step
22 of 30

After yesterday's color chart I spent more than one hour going through the pictures I took last May in Italy.  I didn't have to use Sargent's grays on an Italian building, but since that was what I was using as my subject it seemed like a good choice!  I could have spent several hours going through my photos!  I didn't find a building that had the whites and ochre-ish colors and the dark burgundies, But, I found one that had the whites and green.  So, that seemed like a good alternative.  The picture was of the whole side of a building.  I had to cut and crop and come up with a composition that works.

My next step was to sketch in the window and building, and paint some of the darks.  So, I guess this is about two hours.  Because I'm participating in the 30 in 30 challenge, although doing it so that it works for me, I've been showing the steps of my paintings.  That way I have something to post almost everyday for 30 days.

Study of Sargent's Grays

Study of Sargent's Grays and Whites

21 of 30

One of my goals this year, and every year actually, is to work on grays and whites.  I think that John Singer Sargent's whites are some of the best out there.  When I see his work in a museum, especially his whites, I walk back and forth, look up close and from far away.  His whites are mesmerizing.  So, how did he get those whites?  I want to paint whites like he did!

There are a million ways to get whites and grays.  To help me I looked closely at his painting, Corner of The Church of St Stae Venice.  Then, I tried to make all of his colors.  I started with the colors at the bottom of my color chart, and used only those to get the colors that I saw in the painting.  I understand that Sargent used Lead white,  I'm using Titanium white.  

Now, I'm going to go through all of my photos from our trip last May to Italy and paint a piece using his colors.  

Here is a link to a post all about Sargent's palette:  http://underpaintings.blogspot.com/2009/09/color-palettes-john-singer-sargent-1856.html?m=1

Maybe I should try this again using his exact palette. 

Who is one of your favorite artists?  Have you tried to use his palette?