From the beginning

bixby

40" x 50"

bixby

Renoir

This is great! For us visual learners, seeing all the steps is very insightful.

marieb

@bixby, Just curious, are you leaving a1.5 allowance on one sides and a 3.5 allowance on the others ? and why ? 

bixby

marieb- the frame is a " 2 x 4" beveled on one of the narrow sides so it won't leave a "ghost mark" when painting. A 2 x 4 really measures 1 1/2 " x 3 1/2" for a total of 5"  times two for both sides to wrap around the side and back of the board. More than I needed though. Since I bought it folded ( on sale from the university) I ironed it and the stretching process with the pliers even gave me an 1 1/2" more.

bixby

bixby

I redid the corner to be square with the canvas instead of the angle I have in some of the photographs, prior to the first coat of gesso. I'll let that gesso dry overnight, then I'll  lightly sand today and put another coat on.

BOB73

Where are you going to find a wall that will take a nail big enough to support your support? Good work on the construction. Thanks for sharing the process.

Freeman

Cotton or linen, or duck canvas fit for sail making? A magnificent basis for a painting.

bixby

@ ;

Freeman  I posted a picture of the label, #12 duck canvas.

bixby

BOB73 museum 

Summer

@Freeman ; Thank you for posting your work effort.  Some of us never seem to get enough of how other artists do things.  Summer

Bobitaly

Nice! Thanks for sharing I want to make my own canvas too. About the frame, I see it is not stretchable again, do u think the canvas will be tight enough to paint on it? What u will do if it will lose tension? 

bixby

It’s tight, drum sounds when thumped. There’s always the trick of misting the back of the canvas. 

Summer

@bixby ; You are probably already aware of this.  If you bought the lumber kiln dried, there should be very little warping, otherwise there will be lots.  Summer

Summer

@bixby You are probably already aware of this as well, but if you are misting a lot there is the chance of mold or other such colonies developing.  There are aerosols you can spray for these things if they occur--especially underneath the wood where it touches the canvas.  Summer

bixby

@Summer ; Thanks for the heads up. 

bixby

The reason for the size of this canvas was to copy a Sargent with a modern update. His Lady Agnew portrait measures 40” x 50”. I have a model lined up who happens to also be a feminist. This gives her a chance to make a statement and me one not to louse it up. I got the idea from the Impressionests series on Amazon Prime. Mainly Seurat who mimicked other master’s poses in his paintings. 

bixby

smaller practice sketch

bixby

More practice. Zorn palette. 

Richard_P

This sounds really interesting! Looking forward to seeing this develop..

Filuren

Interesting to follow you. Very nice painting!

bixby

Cleaned my camera lens!

bixby

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PaulB

The bearded gentleman is particularly good.  Bold work.

bixby

Getting closer. Got with my model today got some photos. 

BOB73

KEEP CALM and CARRY ON.

bixby

Inspiration

bixby

Modern day. Feminist. Books will be in the background. Had to cover because of glare off cellophane covers on some. 

bixby

Begin to roughly sketch in then decided I needed more gesso coats and to restrech. 

bixby

Speaking of which in my water color days I would soak my paper in the tub then staple to a board and it would dry tight. I wonder if you can moisten canvas then nail to your frame and it would tighten. 

PaulB

This is a fantastic idea.

Boudicca

Great project @bixby, thanks for showing the whole process. 
Fun fact- this painting was quite risqué for the time in that the folds of the fabric of her dress revealed the shape of her thigh, ooh la la !

Jiashen

Interesting to follow the whole process! Cant wait to see how it will be developed.

bixby

bixby

bixby

bixby

BOB73

Terrific work. I was amazed at how much likeness your model has to the original lady. I admit to a little disappointment that she's now wearing something closer in genre to the inspiration. 

bixby

Removed the head. Will start over. 

bixby

2nd head. I've removed this also.

Richard_P

Do you want any help with the head?

bixby

Thanks but no thanks. This whole thing is an exercise to learn.

Richard_P

No problem

tassieguy

Interesting project. And Sargent is great inspiration.  I'm in awe of the way he just effortlessly smudges a dark background and, with a few deft strokes, brings fabric and flesh to life. 

bixby

Some progress

bixby

Richard_P

The detail on the chair looks great.

I kind of hate to say this, but her head is far too big..

bixby

I can see where you would say that. Her head is the most complete, the values in her head shadow are a little too dark. Her neck and breast plate along with her arms and blouse are far from where I want them. I’m confident it’ll work out. Thank you though for your observation. 

bixby

On second thought I think your right. I'll need to start over. Fresh canvas and all. This working larger sizes is tricky. Thanks Richard_P -

Richard_P

I'm sorry that you have to start again after doing all that work. Maybe you could just repaint the head area? I just didn't want you to do even more work on this before seeing the problem.