All Things Fine Art

Visiting an art museum can be creatively rewarding. Last weekend, nine of my advanced students spent the day with me at the Detroit Institute of Art (DIA) in Detroit, Michigan.  This trip was the culmination of several weeks of study in my Williamston studio classes focusing on the color palette and masterful use of edges by iconic artist, John Singer Sargent. I had my students copy, in their home studios, Sargent's, "Madame Paul Poirson", (see photo below) from web images and followed this up with a critique. The critique included discussions on their painting experience and questions that arose during their process of copying the painting. 

The detail photo below of the subject's gown demonstrates one area of student interest that exihibits subtle changes in edges and color note registration in creating form and dimension. Evident also was the subtle reflected flesh tones on the satin fabric along her right arm and hands.

Homework can creatively enhance a museum visit...

Before I visit a musum, I visit their website and select a painting of interest that is currently on view. I usually do some research as well on the palette and process of the artist if such information is available on the webb. When I arrive at the museum, my first stop is always the painting I've selected to study while I am still fresh. I sketch it and take copius notes. If permitted, I photograph the painting along with several detail shots. If photography is not permitted, I purchase a postcard from the gift shop to help in note taking. After spending considerable time with the painting, I take a break for refreshments and wander the rest of the museum for several hours. At the end of the day, I always return to the original painting and review my notes before leaving for home. This helps to keep the painting in my thoughts for a longer period of time. The advantage of having a world class museum near you (the DIA is an hour-and-a-half from my home) means that I am able to return fairly often and revisit paintings that are of special interest to me. They become old, well known and well loved friends.

What do you do when visiting a museum?

I am very interested in what others do to make their museum experiences meaningful. If you have a special way of visiting or looking at museum art I'd love to hear about it. Your comments are welcome.