Searching for artistic answers at the museum
By Elspeth C. Young
 |
| Pencil sketch from Elspeth's research
journal in March 2003 |
Elspeth's new portrait of Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, will be the 44th oil painting in the Women of the Bible Collection. It was completed to meet the production schedule for Women of the New Testament by Camille Fronk Olson. The book, currently in press, is scheduled for release through Deseret Book later in 2014.
Dimensions (width x height)
14 in. x 20 in.
Support
Panel
Milestones
Research begins - January 2012
Composition begins - September 2010
Brushwork begins - January 2014
Methodology
This section presents only one or two items that may be of interest to professional artists, amateurs, and others interested in the work of the Studios. The following journal entries are excerpted from Elspeth's painting diary, and emphasize the important influence of studying original artworks throughout the creative process:
Yesterday it was time to refill the creative tank and I did. I had felt in my bones that the new "sacred gifts" exhibit at BYU's MOA had artistic answers for me. So yesterday morning, tickets in hand, Mom and I slipped out of the house and spent a good chunk of the morning at the museum. We enjoyed (savored, really) Frans Schwartz, Carl Bloch, and Heinrich Hoffmann. I was surprised that Schwartz actually contained the most answers, this time. I've never seen an artist work so wet—the paint still seems to be dripping a century since he painted it. And his reflected light! O my.
26 November 2013
Seeing Frans Schwartz's paintings has changed me. I've always wanted to exude more painterliness—to luxuriate in the freedom of brush strokes and the energy and elasticity of what I consider "real" painting.
Others might not perceive a change, by my highlights are more sculpted—having a texture of their own, which is independent of the form without "breaking form" as artists would say.
8 January 2014
I've blocked-in Elisabeth's face and am already thrilled at the sweet, peaceful expressiveness of the piece. She's got the loveliest ear I have yet painted and, as for her bones, she is one of the best boned-figures I've ever seen. Everything about her is ethnic elegance.
Tags: 2014, Inspiration and creativity, Project commentaries, Women of the Bible Art Collection
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Browse articles by topic: Art lessons . BenHaven Archives . Blank art diaries . Fine art photography . Framing . Illustration . Inspiration and creativity . Isles of Rune . Limited Editions Collection . My Fathers Captivity . News . Novellas . Oil paintings and prints . Operations announcements . Orders and shipping . Overview . Portfolios . The Papers of Seymore Wainscott . Project commentaries . Recipes by Nancy Young . Recommended reading . Recommended viewing . Temple artworks . The Storybook Home Journal . Tips and techniques . Tools supplies and operations