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Caravaggio's lost works.

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Denise Cat

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I have just been watching a documentary about the pilfering of valuable arts during WW2. Of course, when Caravaggio popped up, there was a picture shown briefly in black and white. I missed what it was called but managed to find it on the net. It's oil on canvas but I can't find any coloured pictures of it. Well I guess you know what's coming next. I always take on much more than I'm capable of but I love the works of Caravaggio. As soon as I looked at it I wanted to paint it. I'm under no illusions it will take me a long time to do, be very difficult, test me and might not turn out but I'm going to try anyway. I love it. My question is, how do you think such a subject should be approached when there is no colour guide. Should I just do my own interpretation or try and figure out what sort of colour palette might have been used. Here it is. Such a beautiful piece. St Matthew and the Angel. I've just found a coloured picture of it. Great.

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by Denise Cat

IMG_3630

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Your a very adventurous person Denise,  I agree it is a beautiful painting I’m looking forward to seeing it hopefully you will let us have a peek as you work on it. 

Denise Cat

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Denise Cat

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I'll spend some time sketching the drawing and getting a feel for it before I move to a canvas. If I can draw it, I know I can paint it. I don't mind working on it slowly while I'm doing other things. I think a time scale for me as an amateur will be, maybe a year, to do a fair job, if I can do it at all.

stephen weight

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Denise - having done some copying myself I admire your spirit . Some thoughts if I may - do you know the size of the original  , and will you be aiming for the same ? - if you need to scale up , how will you do it ?  anyway good luck . Stephen Weight  

Denise Cat

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I don't know the size and I do everything by eye. After a few practice sketches, I would sketch it out freehand on the canvas as a guide to get my size and proportions, then refine as I'm painting. I've had no training so I figure things out as I go along.

Tessa Gwynne

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I agree it’s a lovely painting Denise and will certainly be a challenge. Do you remember a few months ago we had a challenge to paint a little section of a painting and everyone had to guess what it was? I found that very useful in understanding the artist’s style and way of working. Also your black and white version will help in getting the tones right.  Good luck. It’ll be fascinating to see it progress.

Alan Bickley

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No training… no problem, because you can get advice on here. Yes, as Stephen says, you do need to get the same scaled up/down dimensions/proportions in order for it to work (more likely you’ll be scaling down). Otherwise you could end up missing off part of a limb! You can reasonably accurately work out the proportions from the photo, but the original dimensions must be recorded somewhere! I suspect that it’s a fair size… I believe we’ve discussed the grid system before, it’s the simplest and best way to accurately transfer the original design onto  your canvas… it’s how the top professionals do it!  Ask if you need it explaining again, no problem! You can’t realistically accurately transfer this image by just relying on freehand. This is quite a challenge, and something that needs much thought before proceeding, an accurate ground colour will be the first important step…plus an understanding of chiaroscuro -  good luck and take your time!

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by Alan Bickley

Denise Cat

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Thanks, yes, I intend moving very slow because it will be a big challenge for me. I will definitely be asking for advice along the way. I'll be starting with some sketching this week. I will do some studying about chiaroscruro, I have read a little, not much. I intend working hard at it for Caravaggio. Probably turn out rubbish but I like a big challenge.
IMG_3630

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Stop putting yourself down Denise , start with the attitude  of I can do this all be it in my way . You are a good artist and yes it a huge challenge , someone once told me you can’t eat a whole elephant, but you can in reasonable portions if you want too. 

Alan Bickley

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A really useful DVD that I can recommend is ‘Variations on a Theme’ by Ken Howard RA. You’d find it really helpful Denise, both in watching this great artist work in the studio and plein air, but he also demonstrates the method of scaling up/down, with an easy to understand narrative! Plus lots more useful information… it’s a must have in my opinion…

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by Alan Bickley

Denise Cat

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I will definitely watch it Alan, thanks.
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