The sight size method offers an honest, refined depiction of the sitter, simplifying the face into shadow, halftone and light pattern. Sight size is such an effective way of drawing from life as it helps artists to train their eye to produce more accurate, proportionate works. Focus is on the objective of what is in nature, as artistic licence and personal handling is secondary once the shapes have been honed in – allowing for an exact representation of the subject at hand. By looking at a portrait from a distance, I am able to see the ‘big shape’, and walk back and forth making adjustments on the painting or drawing until the piece is complete.
A sitter for Henry Raeburn described the sight size method as follows: “When he saw all was right, he took his palette and his brush, retreated back step by step, with his face towards me, till he was nigh the other end of the room; he stood and studied for a minute more, then came up to the canvas, and, without looking at me, wrought upon it with colour for some time. Having done this, he retreated in the same manner, studied my looks at that distance for about another minute, then came hastily up to the canvas and painted a few minutes more.”
John Singer Sargent is of primary inspiration in my work as he enhances character in a way that captures the likeness without appearing overemphasised. By positioning the subject of ‘equal measure’ beside the canvas, Sargent created some of the most iconic sight size paintings of all time. Below is an example of a charcoal drawing of mine, using the sight size technique.
