Why Study The Masters?

I find it inspiring and educational to study the work, techniques, and artistic contributions made by artists we consider Masters. Their preliminary sketches are fascinating and give us clues to their creative process. We can learn how they developed their final work by looking at their early drawings - thoughtful line work, dynamic gestures, and brilliant compositions can teach us many lessons we can bring to our artwork.

In session four of the Summer Sketchbook Series, I looked to the High Renaissance artist Raphael, primarily his sketches, to learn more about the beginning of his creative process. It is fascinating to study the line work and how he searched for his subjects' shape, form, and movements in his drawings.

Link to image resources here.

Raphael was inspired by the work of the great master Leonardo da Vinci and would spend time studying his drawings and paintings. And his painting, Madonna of the Pinks, was heavily influenced by the compositional invention of da Vinci's pyramid in the Holy Family and the Mona Lisa. In addition to da Vinci, he was also influenced by Jean Auguste Ingres, Albrect Durer, and Michelangelo,

Below is sketchbook lesson four.

Let me know in the comments below if there is a particular artist from the past you find interesting, or even a specific time period in art that inspires you.

Enjoy!

Renee