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I am wondering if anyone else, besides Paul, has started the Bargue study and how far along has one got?
Some would think that having the Bargue book and reeding the instructions without actually using the plates will be sufficient to implement the principles and understand the procedure within a self induced project.
When I first arrived at the Angel Academy and was introduced to the same plates, I thought to self that the four plate requirement in pencil would be a breeze to do and that I would have them out of the way within a week or two. I was wrong. Three took 12 days each and the fourth 20 days. Approximate number of hours worked on each was 4 hrs a day.
The first one the foot the simplest to do was the toughest for me. Each one after presented a different challenge but what a delight when completed. After finishing the four plates I realized I was barely at the start of understanding what came next and that was working from the cast in charcoal. After finishing the first cast, the face of Michelangelo's David, it was but then that my minds eye was illuminated. The next challenges difficult to do but pure pleasure. In my arsenal I had the understanding and this understanding made the clime up easy.
Remember the three little pigs and the wolf, I'm sure we all do. Taking a short cut in ones studies will result in?
I have learn't and am still a student, that art that will stand the test of time is not just a line in pencil or charcoal but a line precisely executed, it is not value shadow or light rather it is the same precisely executed, it is not color or hue warm and cool rather precisely executed. If these and other elements that are a sum of a Valasques, Bouguereau, Cassatt, Sargent etc are not understood properly it will not stand the test.
A Bargue executed in pencil first will give one the tools needed in order to properly understand charcoal. Another thing, it will most assuredly speed up the learning process. If you do not believe me ask anyone that has followed this procedure. If you still do not believe me then ask the many professionals of today about the struggles that they have in reaching their individual goal of excellence. Then again it all boils down to what one's goal is.
I hope that my words wont be misunderstood. I am not promoting a particular school but rather am sharing with the members of this forum my understanding of the matter, from personal experience.
A sincere, All the best, whatever path one takes.
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