Would Leonardo da Vinci, John S. Sargent, or Raphael Have Trouble Adjusting a Modern Photograph to Evoke The Intended Message?

So often we cling to the photograph, as if we were in "Lord of the Rings" and the photograph became our precious. The drawing for the painting you're working on is your unique creation based on a feeling and an emotion, an idea that belongs to you.

Would Leonardo da Vinci, John Singer Sargent, or Raphael Have Trouble Adjusting a Modern Photograph to Ensure the Lines in Their Drawing Evoked The Intended Message?

Isn't it time that we, as an art community, take control of our voices, push the photograph aside, and let go of our "precious"?

Learning from Sargent

Twenty years ago, during Sargent's retrospective at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, I saw a drawing by him at the Fogg Museum. You could clearly see where Sargent had erased (if erasers existed back then) to remove an arm angle, then added the final angle. He repeated this process with the leg diagonal, and the entire drawing came together.

Taking Time with Your Sketches

Spending time creating a few small sketches can give the artist tremendous insight into why the specific photograph or vision is so important to them. Then, continue these sketches with small paintings to work out color theories, values, and the quality of light.

Ultimately, once you find what pulls at your heart in the image, plan which elements of art will go where and why in your painting. Remember, simple concepts like planes or recession can change your message depending on which lines you choose to emphasize and which you let fade into the background.

Slow Down for Accuracy

Things that have helped me in the past are slowing down to look more accurately at my drawings. This ultimately helps me slow down when I'm outside, drawing and painting, allowing me to recognize what I'm experiencing. As a result, I become more aware of which lines to find and which to lose.

Try spending time drawing—not as a quick sketch, but as if you were unable to erase. Focus on accurately portraying the shape and line you see. This could help you slow down and begin to truly enjoy your art, taking it to an even higher level.

Let me know if there's anything else I can help with!