Copying the Masters

Every artist, whether it is the scrapbook artist working at the kitchen table or the professional painting for his livelihood in a huge studio, at one time or another, needs inspiration.  We have had the "to copy or not to copy" discussion several times, so I'm not going there.  What I'm doing today is showing you my latest painting.  Inspired by the age old tradition and learning technique of copying masterpieces of years gone by, I present you my version of Monet's Boating on the River Epte. 

I chose this particular painting because I had just painted over a used canvas with black gesso and was looking for something that would benefit from a dark background.  While painting, it seemed to be getting darker and darker, so I used my artistic license and lightened it up a bit.  It is sometimes hard to copy a painting on a smaller canvas.  The canvas I used is 16 x 20, which is fairly large for me, but not the large format that Monet used on this painting. It was originally painted on a 52 x 59 inch canvas and the tone of the original is a bit different from my version.  That being said and also pointing out that, as so often happens, the girls on the skiff look very much like my sister and me when we were younger... I have to say I'm quite happy with it.

It is done is acrylic heavy body paint, versus oils as in the original.  I haven't decided if I am going to varnish it or not.  As a general rule, acrylic paint doesn't need varnish to protect the painting, but if you are going for an "oil painting look" a gloss varnish is sometimes used.  What do you think? Gloss or not? Also, what painting from Monet's collection should I do next?  Not sure, feel free to browse through his collection at this website and make your suggestion.  Who knows, if it looks good upon completion, I just might send it to you.

Oh and here is the original version....

I see now that my oar need to be curved much more, but still I'm happy with it.  Let me know what my next Monet should be.