Yoshiharu,

Basically I obtained as clear a print of a painting as I could find and began to copy it using the underpainting technique. And at first it was very difficult for me to do. I finally settled on an Old Master palette and this made all the difference. See: http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...=&threadid=210

Sometimes, after I did a copy, I was fortunate enough to be in a Museum somewhere and view the original. It was nearly always a rude shock. Although my paintings looked like the print I copied from, the prints seldom looked like the original painting! :)

Despite this drawback, I learned to paint anyway. I really can't think of any special prepartation...just pick up your brush and begin.

Michael,

Thank you very much for your polite advice.
Slightly small, and a signature of a painter don't copy. OK? I understand it.

It is difficult for me to go to museum and see original. And I do not have high quality printed matter. Only website is a reliance. I intend to look for it at http://www.artrenewal.org/museum/b/B...iam/page1.html

I knew Bouguereau, last year. Till then, I did not know his name and his picture.

Yoshiharu

Karin,

I should have said thanks for your valuable message, I forgot it. Several weeks ago.
I read your Old Masters Palette article. And I went to art supplies shop immediately. I supplemented the paint which lacked on my palette.
In particular cadmium orange is a very important color for me, now. Thank you very much, Karin.

I am helped by many friends here, in this forum.
This is very nice. I am happy.

Yoshiharu

Hello, Karin, Michael, Yoshiharu

What a beautiful Paintings, wordless to give a critique they just perfect. Congratulations.

Frankly, It was the Old Masters whose had inspired me to paint for the very first time. Since no Masterpieces are available at the Museum in my country, the only references are from the book and internet, but lacks of details. I am trying to get a good print of it. I admire Ingres a lot for his realistic skin tones, dress, drapery.

Again, your Old Master copies are amazing.

Yoshiharu I saw your work and you are talented.

Regards
Abdi

I'm not sure of the quality and detail, but I know the Art Renewal Center is selling prints of the works they have there. You can ask, but the impression I have is that they are high quality.

A wonderful site for reference:
 

The site reference below is the Web Gallery of Art. It has about 8000 high-definition scans of paintings from 1100 to 1800. It is a great site for getting fairly accurate reference for many, many old master works. Enjoy! :)

http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/artist.html

I think that this is the most comprehensive image search tool on the web:
http://images.google.com

Here's a place that appears to be in Russia that actually makes a business out of copying paintings. They show several step-by-steps and one is of Czar Nicholas by Ilya Repin, shown below. http://www.artsstudio.com

And Carol Jackson Presents has the original high quality art image site: http://sunsite.dk/cgfa/

Thanks Cynthia, This is a wonderful website to review for anyone who wishes to paint a copy.

http://glazing.fws1.com/examples.htm

This site shows Vermeer's underpainting and glazing techniques.