Sight Size Cast Copy Painting

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

I am not sure why I must rebel against almost everything I try to do. This next image is of a current project, a painting of a plaster cast from an original sculpture. Ideally, it should have been painted using the Sight Size Method, which means that my painting would result in an image that is the same size as the original when the painting is viewed from the proper placement in comparison to the subject (a sculpture in this case) from a viewing point of about two meters away.

Sadly, I find sight-size painting or drawing a bit dull. It takes all the fun out of it for me to discover, or interpret, the relationships I see between shapes and tones if I simply lines things up and then make a mark on my canvas that corresponds to a point I can measure on my original. I want to make a mark that I intend to make (and cast paintings are a great way to train the eye and hand), but some part of me rebels against what my mind sees as “copying.” I want to spend more time with my beloved triangles.

Anyway, here is an image of my afternoon project of the Roman soldier copy. You can see that the image on my painting is larger than the original sculpture. This is mostly because my easel is placed incorrectly. It is too far forward. Sadly, these things are so difficult to photograph and you can see how washed out are the details in the lights of the sculpture. This snapshot was taken about a week ago and the painting looks better a little each day.

In closing, have a fun and safe Halloween celebration this evening and/or All Saints’ Day on 1 November, as you will. The latter is an Italian holiday and I am looking forward to spending the day working on my art inspired by Morocco. I may also go visit the famous cemetery here in Florence, San Miniato. It is properly called Basilica di San Miniato a Monte, Firenze. Here is a shot of a few of my artist friends and me during our costumed Halloween Party last Saturday. More images are posted on my Facebook page. Good fun!