Old Master Copies
Why copy an old master drawing? Copying from a master is no mere duplication of someone else’s work. It is an intimate engagement with the thought processes of the master’s mind. By copying a drawing or painting, I learn how to see the way they did; I discover their thinking process. Experiencing how they shaded or painted specific areas offers me an arsenal of symbols and techniques. I learn how to mix color or how to make marks to convey the intended truth. By studying their use of edges, line, light and value, composition, proportion, shape, color, and rhythm and asking why the master did things a certain way, I can use the same strategies and techniques in my own work. Through this immersive experience, the master guides me through the creative process imparting important art principles which quickly become second nature.
Why do people purchase old master copies? They are beautiful great works of art with the richness of mark, texture, and color that photo reproductions lack. The elements of color, composition, light, form, and rhythm, which made the original work magnificent, are all present, and still creating a beautiful piece. Most da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rubens, Rafael, and other old master works hang in museums, unavailable for purchase. Artist rendered fine art reproductions are affordable alternatives which enable people to enjoy great works of art in the comfort of their own homes.