Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The Head of an old man

Besides John Sargent,  one of my favorite Artists is Rembrandt and "Head of an old man" was one of my favorite of his paintings.
He painted this portrait about 1629.  As you know, he painted many self-portraits but I really like this one enough to copy the
"Master".   I think its a good practice...of course, the shadows and colors are already there for you to copy....so do we really learn ??  I'm hoping we do...!   Although the original was painted in oils, I chose to paint it in pastel.

125 comments:

  1. Brilliant, Rembrandt would love this copy. How great that you are able to do it in pastel. You are indeed one talented lady.

    Have a great day,
    Joan

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    1. thank you SO much JOAN. Rembrandt's paintings are all dark/dramatic...I really enjoyed trying to get the likeness of this man. thank you for stopping by!!

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  2. Isn't it fun? I have been studying a lot of books on old masters and was thinking about doing a 'copy' myself! You beat me to it :)Great work, Hilda.

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    1. Thank you ARTI for stopping by! It was fun! and I think its challenging to see whether or not we can do it. I REALLY hope you copy one as well...You'll do an amazing job.

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  3. For me,copy a Master artwork is enter his mind. The Masters give me their experiences and it's up to me to understand what I have yet to learn .
    So this way of copying, it is constructive.
    Your version of the Grand Master is SUPERB!
    Ciao, Hilda!

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    1. Thank you so much for that generous comment, RITA! I appreciate it! I have learned from copying Rembrandts work..I love all the shadow work he does and his work with a limited color palette. (which I like) Glad you stopped by! Enjoy the rest of the day!!

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  4. Votre version est très belle!
    Bravo Hilda.

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    1. thank you so much OLIVIER for your lovely comment! Glad you stopped by !! Have a wonderful day.

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  5. Oh my... what a beautiful job you have done... It is such a wonderful idea to copy the masters and I reckon the artist himself would be pretty impressed! :0)

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    1. thank you SANDRA for your comment! You're so sweet! I enjoyed painting this painting! Enjoy the rest of the day!!

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  6. Beautifully done, Hilda!!! The shadows and colors are perfect. NOw you have me wondering which master's painting I can try. :)

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    1. I'm glad you like this portrait, KATHRYN!
      We'll have to find one who paints horses!!
      I hope you do ! you'll love the challenge! Thank you for stopping by!!

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  7. Hi Hilda:) I love to copy the old masters:) You did a great job on this Rembrandt. I always learned from copying an old master. I was constantly thinking: why did he do this and how did he do that? Anyway, I can see you enjoyed! That's the most important:)xx

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    1. thank you RENATE for your wonderful comment..I really think its a good practice to copy once in awhile from the Masters...I did enjoy the practice.! Enjoy the rest of the evening!!

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  8. Dear Hilda, you are a great artist. This version of the "Head of an old man" is absolutely wonderful. Bravissima!

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    1. You are SO kind, TITO!!! I appreciate your wonderful comment!! Next time, I should copy you...the Master of watercolor! Glad you like it!! Have a wonderful evening..

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  9. hallo Hilda,
    wat heb jij dit mooi gemaakt.
    heel goed gedaan.
    groetjes Marja

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    1. Thank you so much MARJA!! I appreciate your very nice comment!!!!

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    1. Thank you SO much STEPHANIE for stopping by and for your lovely comment!!! I appreciate it!!! Have a nice Evening...

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  11. Wow Hilda, amazing portrait.. good job! :)

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    1. thank you SO much MARI!!!! Lo agradezco!!!
      Enjoy your Evening..

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  12. Lovely job!!! You did super work on the forehead creases and the skin tones!! Happy Spring!

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    1. I really enjoyed painting this portrait, JOAN. Lots of character in his face!
      I'm looking forward to the warm weather!
      Enjoy the rest of the Evening!!

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  13. Grande lavoro,complimenti,molto intenso!
    Ciao,buona serata!

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    1. thank you FRANZ for stopping by and for your very lovely comment!!! I appreciate it so much!!

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  14. You are definitely another master ...in pastel, gorgeous portrait ! Copying is of course always easier than to do something yourself...but I believe we learn and develop ourselves anyway.

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    1. I appreciate your very generous comment, JANE!! I'm blushing right now!! You're right...copying is always easier since everything is there for us to copy! and hopefully we learn and develop our own style.

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  15. Beautifully done, Hilda. You always learn something from copying a Master's work; it's also humbling. I love the dark, dramatic chiaroscuro techique. It's always a challenge to get those dark colors with pastels; you did a great job.

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    1. thank you so much PAT!! I love the Chiaroscurro technique as well!! I'm glad you liked it ...have a wonderful Evening!!!

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  16. Hilda,
    Beside Sargent, Rembrandt, and so many more you are one of my favorite artists!
    The Master would be proud of the is one!
    Great work doesn't begin to tell you how I feel about this one!
    Bravo my friend!
    I am glad you made it through the storm!
    We had another one yesterday and one more coming again soon!
    Take care my friend!
    Michael

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    1. MICHAEL, you're so nice!...thank you so much for that very generous comment!
      I think we're all ready for Spring..we've had enough of bad weather..take care of yourself!

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  17. Oh Hilda this is wo derail, love the wrinkles

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    1. Ok shut me down, wonderful skin color and really great back lighting. I am loving your work and having done pastel know how hard to get crisp color, wonderful technique and results.

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    2. thank you so much NELVIA for your very nice comment!!! I'm glad you stopped by and glad you liked this one!!!

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  18. This is beautiful, Hilda! I love your lost edges and the gentle light. Bravo, my friend!

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    1. thank you SO much DARLA for stopping by and leaving me such a nice comment! I really appreciate it!

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  19. You did a fabulous job on the nose and eyes particularly. your whwole painting is very good, but I find those two areas are very strong. Your nose really protrudes and you nailed the values perfectly. The way you captured the angle of the eyes impresses me no end. I would have found that difficult. Way to go, Hilda!

    I agree - of course we learn by copying the masters - I bet you learned a lot from this.

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    1. thank you so much JULIE!! He had such a perfect face to copy...all those wonderful lines and I feel like I really learned a lot from copying this painting!!
      glad you liked it!!

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  20. One load of talent you are blessed with Hilda, I feel that you are one master in the making yourself with respect to portraits,it is a joy to study your work.

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    1. I'm so glad you liked this PADMAJA and your comment made my day! thank you!!!
      Enjoy this beautiful day!!

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  21. Ciao Hilda,
    è commovente questo ritratto! Hai fatto una bella scelta e copiare è un esercizio formidabile e c'è sempre la personalità e l'abilità di chi dipinge! Qui c'è la tua bravura e il tuo amore per l'immagine scelta...bravissima!!!
    Ciao, abbracci, Floriana

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    1. thank you so much! I appreciate your comment, FLORIANA. I agree..it is a very good exercise that everyone should do. I'm so glad you liked this portrait! Hugs!

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  22. Wonderful job, Hilda! I think it is fun trying to paint the Masters' works. You did a beautiful piece!

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    1. thank you so much SHERRY!! Glad you stopped by and for leaving me such a nice comment!! Have a good day!!!

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  23. Wow Hilda, what gorgeous work. I copied a Sargent one time, I think it is great practice.

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  24. thank you BARBARA for that wonderful comment! I appreciate you stopping by. All my blogger friends are so kind!! Sargent has some really beautiful paintings.. I love his work..and you of course made my day!

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  25. Muy bueno el retrato hilda. Perfecto contraluz del rostro. Una magnifica obra. Felicidades

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    1. Lo agradezco tu visita, EVA. Tu comentario me hace muy contenta..Muchisimas gracias!!! Un abrazo!

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  26. Hi there Hilda!... You really have nailed this copy! A wonderful treatment of the hair of the beard and the skin tones are bang on!

    A great learning exercise and lesson from a master of Masters! Correct??? A well earned A+++ Hilda! A gem!


    Happy Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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    1. thank you so much BRUCE! I really appreciate that very generous comment!! It was definitely a learning exercise that I enjoyed so much!!! Enjoy the rest of the Evening!

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  27. Stunning..beautiful work Hilda..remarkable talent..his face is gentle and soft..brilliant work! Very special! Do you have a favorite piece you have created?
    Victoria

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    1. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, VICTORIA! I don't think I have a favorite..all of them has a story, a memory that I love to hold on to..so I keep them forever in a painting. Your comment put a smile to my face!!!

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  28. PS: I think it would be so hard to a pick a favorite of all yours works..they are all richly unique and amazing!

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  29. I believe studying anyone's work you like is a good way to improve! You have created a great piece with pastels...I'm sure he would be proud to have such an apprentice!

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    1. thank you so much TRUDY for stopping by and for your lovely comment...I really appreciate it!! His work is amazing and it was such a pleasure trying to copy him. Enjoy the rest of the Evening!!!

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    1. Thank you so much KAREN for stopping by and for your nice comment!!! I appreciate
      it!!

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  31. Magnífico retrato al pastel! Te felicito!!
    Aunque sea una copia de otro cuadro, hay una gran dificultad al pintar de un modelo hecho en óleo al pastel y tú, lo has resuelto maravillosamente.
    Un abrazo.

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  32. Muchisimas gracias, JOSH por tu visita y tu comentario tan generoso..Lo agradezco!!!
    Un abrazo!!

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  33. Nice one, Hilda! Keep up the good work. Studying other artists' work is an excellent way to learn.

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    1. Thank you for your generous comment, DIANA. I really feel we learn from studying other artists' work. Glad you liked this one...Have a wonderful weekend!

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  34. Los dos ultimos retratos son magistrales. En mi opinion copiar nos enseña y más si la hacemos con un material distinto al original. Un abrazo

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    1. Muchisimas gracias TINA por un gran comentario...lo agradezco mucho!!!
      un abrazo!

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  35. I'm sure we do learn a lot by copying the masters, you have done a lovely job on this portrait, well done.

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    1. thank you DIANA for such a nice comment..glad you stopped by! I think its a great practice..it helped me to see things I missed! Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. thank you CATHY for stopping by and commenting on my painting...I'm glad you liked it! Enjoy your weekend.!

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  37. Magnificent portrait hmuxo, I think if you learn studying and copying the great masters, this portrait is perfect.
    a hug

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    1. Thank you so much AMPARO for your very nice comment.! I think we do learn from copying, as well. Enjoy your weekend..

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    1. thank you so much THERESA for stopping by and for your comment!! I really appreciate it!!! Enjoy your weekend...

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  39. I can definitely see Rembrandt tones here Hilda. You are just so talented.

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    1. Such a nice comment LAURA!!! I appreciate it!! Enjoy the weekend!!!

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  40. Oh my goodness, Hilda!!! Do you know how good you are? I'm amazed at how perfect this is.

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    1. thank you so much JOHN for such a nice comment..that's how I feel about you and all my blogger friends..I appreciate you stopping by!!!

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  41. You certainly "mastered" it. At first I thought you had posted the original! Nice job, Hilda. We can learn much from copying the masters -- the classical way to master art.

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    1. thank you MARY for your very generous comment.! I really feel we do learn from copying the masters!!! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  42. This is very fantastic work, and it is made in pastel, beautiful.
    nice weekend and lovely greet
    Marja
    www.marjascreativity.blogspot.nl

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    1. thank you so much MARJA for your very lovely comment! I appreciate you stopping by!

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  43. This is really fantastic, Hilda. I too love to copy the masters and I think Rembrandt would be thrilled to see this!

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by SUSAN and for your wonderful comment! I really enjoyed copying his painting..Enjoy the rest of the Evening..

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  44. Prachtig weer gegeven Muxo heel erg mooi lieve groetjes Danielle

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  45. thank you so much DANIELLE for that very generous comment! I appreciate you stopping by!

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  46. this is a wonderful painting and yes i think we definitely learn by copying the masters!

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    1. thank you so much MYRA for your very generous comment! So glad you like him!!
      Enjoy your day!!!

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  47. I think we do learn, Hilda, and I agree with you about Rembrandt. I think it was clever of you to paint in pastel from an oil original. The medium itself will lend a different look which is interesting. A great idea, and I think I'll try it myself. Wonderful work, Hilda, as you always do!

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    1. thank you CAROL!!! I feel more comfortable painting him in pastels...I've never painted a portrait in oils but would like to make an attempt someday..you definitely should try it..
      Have a wonderful day!

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  48. Un Maître exceptionnel que Rembrandt !
    Je suis certaine que ce dernier doit être fier de là-haut de pouvoir apprécier ton travail...
    Tu es très talentueuse et j'admire tes oeuvres.
    Gros bisous à toi

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  49. Thank you so much MARTINE! You're always so nice and I appreciate your comment!!! Enjoy this beautiful day...Hugs!!

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  50. WOW!! this is breathtaking Hilda!! Bravo! I think we most certainly do learn this way. it's there to see but you have to interpret what you see and you've done that most beautifully!

    And thank you so much for your kind comments on the refreshed Morning Walk. Yeah, I saw that crack on the road!

    take care and again, wonderful work!

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    1. I appreciate you stopping by and commenting, SUZANNE!!! I truly think we learn as well... It was the perfect portrait to copy..!!!...Again, your last painting was awesome!!

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  51. Wonderful work Hilda. The beard looks so real, I want to give it a little tug. Bravo!

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  52. thank you CAROL for stopping by and for your nice comment!!! I enjoyed painting the beard as well..! It's interesting to see how many colors I used!! Enjoy the rest of the day!!!

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  53. Excellent. I love Rembrandt too. You did a marvelous job. Could be a masteryourself!

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    1. Glad you stopped by MINNEMIE! and so glad you like this painting. Enjoy the rest of the Evening!!!

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  54. dear Hilda
    I declare enchanted!!A superb grat work of you!!!!!!!!!!!1.000.000 congrats!!!!
    Love
    Christa

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  55. thank you CHRISTA for that wonderful comment!
    You just made my day and I appreciate it.
    Have a great day!

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  56. This is truly a beautiful piece Hilda! I think copying a piece by a Master must be quite daunting. I love the light in his beard and the wispy tendrils blending off into the shadows. You've captured a great set of eyes full of thought. I wonder what he was thinking? Well done Hilda!

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  57. thank you so much CLAIRE for your lovely comment! I really enjoyed copying a painting from a Master like Rembrandt...I as well, wonder what he's thinking...Have a wonderful day..

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    1. thank you so much PAGE!! I'm so glad you stopped by and for your lovely comment!!!

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  59. this piece shows such emotion! I love the mood of it. Very nice!!!

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    1. thank you so much MARIA for stopping by and for your comment! I really appreciate it! Enjoy the rest of the evening!!

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  60. Magnífico retrato Hilda, la verdad es que eres magnífica.
    abrazos

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    1. Muchisimas gracias AURORA por un comentario muy generoso!!! Lo agradezco tu visita!! un abrazo!

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  61. I think the great man would be extremely complimentary with this Hilda - it's amazing! Happy Easter.

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    1. thank you so much JERRY for stopping by and for your wonderful comment! I appreciate it!!! Happy Easter!!!

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  62. You did a beautiful rendering Hilda. When I first started to paint, that was all I did was copy copy copy because I so need to learn. And I did!

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  63. thank you so much LISA! I do think we learn from copying the masters..and why not?..right!
    glad you liked it...Enjoy the rest of this wonderful day!!

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  64. This is what I call masterful practice! An excellent work Hilda, super depth!

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  65. thank you so much for that VERY generous comment, MARY. You are so kind. Enjoy this beautiful day!!

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  66. This is BEAUTIFUL!! SO sensitive, even though it is a master study it still rings with your own style. :) And I think we always learn from master copies, that's pretty much how I got my entire art education.

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  67. thank you so much CRYSTAL! We do learn..maybe
    someday I'll paint another work from a Master.
    I truly enjoyed painting him. Have a wonderful
    day!!!

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  68. Pintar es lo importante y claro que se aprende de los maestros. Una obra fantástica Hilda.

    Un abrazo

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    1. Estoy muy contenta que ha gustado este retrato, ROSA.. es verdad que aprendemos de los maestros!!!

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  69. This is exquisite, Hilda - beautifully done!

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    1. I'm so happy you liked this portrait, CONNIE...Enjoy your day!!!

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  70. Great painting Hilda! I went to look at the original and I'm really impressed by your interpretation. Not so sure which one is the master any more...:) Hugs

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  71. I'm SO happy that you went to see the original, HELEN! I appreciate that! and even happier that you liked my version. It happened to be a favorite of mine from Rembrandt. Have a wonderful day!!!

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  72. Wow! You have really been painting a lot. Might I say Happy Painting.

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