Edgar Payne Study, Oil on Canvas

I've never done a master study. May I ask, what do you find most challenging about it?

To be honest, choosing which piece to do the study on ha. But the hardest part of the actual painting is mixing the colors and getting them as close as possible. One of the reason I like doing Edgar Payne studies is because his brush work feels so intentional and elegant in its simplicity. Copying him is extremely satisfying when I get close to what he painted.
- Thanks for replying. I've tried to copy photos so I know what you mean about mixing colors. I imagine I would have a very difficult time trying to copy brushstrokes. At the moment I'm working on a piece where I'm trying to emulate the spirit of the fauvist style, but I don't think I have the patience to copy anyone closely. I know it's a valuable practice, and you're doing great.

How many layers is your usual master study?

All of my paintings so far have been Alla Prima, with a base layer of Burnt Sienna and Permanent Crimson mixed with a paint thinner. I wipe most of that base layer off and then do a rough sketch of the painting with the same mixture before starting to paint actual colors I want to see. The guy I've done the most master studys of, Edgar Payne, did his paintings very similar with usually less layers than what I end up with. You can see the base layer he primed his canavas with on alot of his finished works.
- Interesting. I've tried Alla Prima, but I haven't found it that easy to work with when using water-soluble oils. During winter I have no way of ventilating my apartment to use paint thinners.

Magnificent!