PAINT LIKE A 19TH CENTURY OLD MASTER

HOWARD LYON looks to artists such as Lawrence Alma-Tadema and reveals how he creates a painting after their ideals

- HOWARD LYON

The 19th century was a wonderful time for art. Artists were held in high regard and the public was educated about art. There was a high level of skilled technique on display thanks to the rigorous academic training available.

Artists like Lawrence AlmaTadema, Frederic Leighton and William-Adolphe Bouguereau created works of great beauty and drew upon inspirations found in contemporary life, but especially antiquity. They all followed a similar process, and a great amount of planning and effort was expended before brush ever met canvas.

We can learn a lot from these Masters and not hurry through the process of creating a painting. Don’t rush through the thumbnail stage. This is the best and easiest place to explore your composition. When I can, I like to let my sketches sit for a day or two and then come back with fresh eyes. Once the thumbnails are completed, I spend a little more time refining a sketch to flesh out the idea.

For this project I wanted to pay homage to the artists I love. I was lucky enough to have a friend, Birgitte Smoot, that was not only willing to model but help me with the costume. My friend, Erin Bjorn, made us a costume that was historically accurate.

Paint what delights you and you’ll find an audience that feels the same way about your work. Follow me through these steps as I attempt to create a painting that echoes the Masters I love, then create your own painting inspired by your favorite artists. You’ll learn more about them and yourself in the process.

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