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Drawing Together Episode 140: Van Gogh Copy
This is part of the Drawing Together live video series. Learn more and watch past episodes here.
We’re studying the decision and mark-making process of Vincent Van Gogh today, as we create a master study of one of his drawings. Follow along using this reference image: Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
I’m working with:
- Hot Pressed Watercolor Paper
- Graphite Carpenter’s Pencil
- Kneaded and Rubber Erasers
- Small Container of Skim Milk
- Wide, Flat Watercolor Brush
Join artist Scott Maier, every Wednesday at 3PM EST.
For more information about me and my work, visit: https://scottmaierart.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/scott.l.maier/
I finished this shortly after the video finished, but took me forever to try the milk fixative. I hadn’t realized I owned a carpenter ‘s pencil (or what it was) and to my surprise, found one in my old college drawing supplies. It felt rather awkward for me to use. Really liking these master copy lessons!
I don’t drink milk, so no milk wash today, but I’ll try it some other time. I also discovered a commercial fixative made from casein (as in milk)! Loved the cross hatching work. Thanks, Scott!
Great job, Brenda! I’m glad you were able to find the casein fixative!
Hi Scott, really enjoyed this episode. I’ve always been a fan of Van Gogh’s line work in his painting and drawings and you brought a lot of insight into the master’s process. Used a Generals 4B contractors pencil on Fabriano HP WC paper 140#. The pencil seemed very hard for a 4B and difficulty getting the dark I wanted. At the end took a deep breath and applied the milk fixative. Had good success with a 1/2″ mop and applied the milk like a watercolor wash. Thanks and looking forward to more in the Master copy series.
Nicely done, Dave! It looks like you managed the fixative beautifully!
This was a fun challenge. I used sketch paper, so didn’t apply the skim milk. I use a carpenter’s pencil that we had in the house. I didn’t get very dark with it. Maybe it was too hard, idk. Thanks for another great episode!
Nicely done!
Hi Scott, Here is Vincent van Gogh on the only watercolor paper I had, Canson’s cold pressed. I cut it to size 9×12 because you stated was the size of original drawing; used the carpenter pencil of unknown softness, in addition to Derwent 4B graphite. Did not use the milk as fixative, as I had none at this moment. I try it later, or on different drawing. It was interesting to observe cross contour hatching. Thank you for interesting session, as usual. Urszula
Here my sunflower
Beautifully executed, Pia!
Hello Scott,
here are my sketches that i haven’t been able to upload yet.
I’m looking forward to the new challenge. Kind regards, Pia
This looks great!
Had to do a lot of correcting as I don’t draw in Van Gogh’s style to capture correct proportions.
Thank you for sharing this!
This milk technique really blew my mind! Never heard of such a thing but it worked very well! I used 4B graphite on 300lb paper and there was no buckling, even though I made some changes after the paper dried and reapplied the milk wash. Who knew lol! Very handy technique!
That’s great to hear, Giselle! This is a wonderful drawing!
The grain on my paper was too course to be able to hatch finely. I love the milk fixative! Thank you for this lesson, Scott.
This is great, Monique!
A Quick Sketch the Duck had fun with this one. my first drawing in a long time always drew on my computer.
I’m glad you had fun with this. It looks great!
drawing with Graphite on 140 lb cold press watercolor paper. Sealed with diluted milk. Didnt buckle much at all.
This looks great!
Hi Scott, You had asked us to send a photo if we were working in water soluble graphite. I drew this copy using Smooth Bristol by Strathmore and water soluble graphite. I was really pleased with how this turned out. Thanks!
This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing it. I’m glad the water-soluble graphite worked well!
Oh Wow. That was very quick…. and VERY informative. I normally would have workers more on the drawing but was anxious to test out the Milk as fixatif.
I am just floored by the fixative effect of the diluted Milk. I used almond Milk diluted with water, and it works also.
I will stick to this from now on. Thank you very much for this!
That’s fascinating! Thank you, Claude!
I love the carpenter’s pencil! I used Fabriano Artistico hot press watercolor paper which accepted the graphite beautifully. I did not do the skim milk wash. That is an experiment for another day. The hatching is a challenge for me, but I was more comfortable with the outlining. I was a little confused with the woman’s feet.
I used charcoal instead of graphite. Great lesson – thanks! ?
Wonderful work!