Girl with a Pearl Earring (After Vermeer)

Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is one of my favourite paintings, and I had the opportunity to delve into the techniques of the Old Masters in oil painting classes with Canada's master painter, Paul Chizik.

My reproduction, "Girl with a Pearl Earring (After Vermeer)", is a faithful copy of the iconic masterpiece, capturing the serenity and timeless beauty of the original. The girl's mysterious expression draws the viewer in, subtly illuminated by a single light source from the left, mirroring Vermeer's use of light.

I began by preparing my canvas with a toned ground of earthy raw umber, a neutral base crucial for accurately judging colours and values.  Next, I established the major forms, values, and light distribution with a monochrome underpainting in burnt sienna, meticulously rendering the girl's face to ensure precise anatomy for the subsequent layers.

Colours were then introduced in thin, mostly transparent layers.  For the skin tones, I built luminosity by layering washes of warm pinks, reds, and yellows over the monochrome base, allowing the underlying values to show through. Her turban was developed in stages, starting with a darker, muted blue and gradually adding brighter, more saturated layers. I also incorporated scumbling, applying opaque and semi-opaque layers of lighter paint over darker areas, which allowed subtle underlying colours to peek through. The background was developed with multiple glazes of dark, rich greens and browns, creating that deep, atmospheric feeling that makes the girl stand out. While maintaining the luminous quality, some brushstrokes are visible, adding to the painting's depth and revealing the layered process.

What a thrill it was to see this painting develop! I'm incredibly happy with the captivating presence I was able to achieve in this reproduction. Thank you, Paul!

Note: Canadian copyright laws permit sales of reproductions following 70 years after the artist’s death.