I put a layer of paint over the legs, working wet white to build a first coat of flesh. It was challenging to keep the feeling of continuity in the changes of colour in the paint while dealing with regularly cleaning off the leaves that must go in front of the skin, so I’m very glad that I’ve painted the Empress’ legs before doing the grass in front of them. This will save me a lot of trouble later.
I want to get to his hands tomorrow. There simply wasn’t enough time today. It’s very satisfying to see the figures become increasingly solid.
I thought I’d share a challenging quote from Vasari’s Lives:
“Art owes its origins to nature herself… this beautiful creation, the world, supplied the first model, while the original teacher was that divine intelligence which has not only made us superior to the other animals, but like God himself, if I may venture to say it.” Vasari.
Hubris?
