travels with sargent

Up here, in the country, "March madness" is a mix of snow and rain, with a quick rebound to the balmy, 60 degree days of winter. Slogging through mud, I ditch my wellies, by the back door, for a high seas adventure--seen through the eyes of John Singer Sargent. 

An American painter (1856-1925), known for his masterful portraits--of the scandalous Town & Country set--Sargent whipped out his pencils and watercolors, while on his many European jaunts, and drew with a panache that no camera could dare equal. 

Thumbing through the Met's online collection--I am smitten--eager to share a mere pittance, from his bounty of sketchbooks. (Wikipedia can attest to 900 oils, more than 2,000 watercolors, and an endless array of charcoal and pencil sketches, completed in his lifetime.) Easily, I could spend the entire semester, summoning his spirit, and extolling his virtues. 

Notice his perspective, line variation, and focus. Analyze his technique. No doubt Sargent was a righty. Can you tell? In what sketch can you barely see his one-point perspective guide lines?...And are you now inspired to carry around a sketchbook? I keep mine close at hand--even through my exploits in the mud.  

Sailboat deck with figures, John Singer Sargent, 1876? 4 3/16 x 7 3/16 in., Graphite on off-white wove paper,
Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Sailors on a sloping deck, John Singer Sargent, 1876, 4 5/16 x 7 1/4 in., Graphite on off-white wove paper
Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Sailors Relaxing on Deck (from Scrapbook), John Singer Sargent, 1876, 4 5/16 x 7 1/4 in., 

Graphite on off-white wove paper, Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Deck of Ship in Moonlight (from Scrapbook), John Singer Sargent, 1876, 9 x 11 3/4 in., 

Watercolor on off-white wove paper, Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York