Painter to Painter

Artists have traditionally learnt from copying work of other artists. Painting is not made in isolation, it is part of a continuing culture, so while copying from ‘the masters’ is no longer part of formal art education, we can still learn from the process.

The word ‘copy’ is not helpful though, rather we should think of free translation and improv-isation. Starting with a work by another artist we can take apart how the image is con-structed, why it is as it is, how colour is deployed, how each part works within the whole etc.

From there we can use the image for ourselves, relating it back to our regular practice, learning from it, being challenged by it and allowing it to open up new possibilities.