A couple of people heard that I was doing another adaptation of a master painting and expressed hope that I would post my progress on this blog as I did with my daughter's version of Fragonard's "Young Girl Reading." I hadn't really thought of doing this, so I'm a little later in the game with this study of Vermeer's "Girl With a Pearl Earring."Before I even did my first attempt at portraits several years ago, I knew I wanted to do my niece as "Girl With A Pearl Earring." It wasn't until this past summer that I found time to sit down and pose her for the painting.
I've studied this painting for several weeks now and I must say that I am so pleased with this first stage that it has me nervous to continue. The only thing that has anything close to a finished coat on my version is her right eye (and it took me three hours!)
But here's where the compu
ter comes in handy and my early excitement gets a reality check. Putting mine next to Vermeer's (Egad!) reveals a whole new list of things I need to be mindful of when I pick up the brush to continue on. Notice how warm Vermeer's background is even though it is dark. Vermeer's girl literally glows, mine is just beginning to glow. Vermeer's hard and soft edges work together magically...that's a little intimidating for a novice like me! Vermeer has completely captured the moment with the expression on his model's face. (Do you think he loved her? Have you read the book by Tracy Chevalier? It's really good. I think Vermeer was more taken with her youth and innocence. I hope that with the last stroke of my brush I can say I've captured some of my niece's personality and my love for her too). I have one thing going for me though, my model is a true beauty, isn't she? (Inside and out if I do say so myself). The inside beauty is what I really want to capture.
