Christmas and the Holidays - Have Them Merry!

Civil War Art

Painting Waiting to Happen
All Photos: Casey Klahn

Caisson

Girl Marching in Uniform

Dresses

Back to Civil War figures. I had the unparalleled opportunity to sketch and paint the reenactment in Spokane over the holiday weekend. The figure is a subject I have wanted to return to. An artist can pay good money for costumed models, or find an event like the one I did. But, you gotta be brave to set up in the middle of holiday gawkers, and more than likely fail all over the paper. See the artist bleeding on the ground.

As it turned out, I was really happy with the outcome. Yesterday's post shows Friday's images. I returned with the family in tow on Monday, but gusting winds kept me from setting up. It just underlines the blessing of getting a good set-up on Friday.

Maybe I'll get in costume and arrive next year at the Civil War reenactment as a period artist. Stove pipe hat, anyone?

I was wondering who were the artists active during the Civil War, so that I could have a baseline to begin with for my study. The illustrated magazine was new on the public stage, and artists were in demand. The first artist I found was, of course, a pastellist. Edward Lamson Henry, 1841-1919 struck a chord with me right away.

Winslow Homer is the most noted Civil War battle sketch artist. Thumbs.

Wounded Soldier being Given a Drink from a Canteen

Drawing: Charcoal and white chalk on blue-green paper, 1864

14 3/8 x 19 ½ ins
Winslow Homer

Drummer Boy

Drawing: Black and white chalk on blue paper, 1864
17 x 10 5/8 ins.
Winslow Homer

Battle Sketching!

Sharpshooters in Green, On Site "Battle" Sketch
Pastel, Casey Klahn

Photo: Casey Klahn

It never crossed my mind before that sketching a (reenacted) Civil War battle could be so difficult. Or exhilarating! This is the Memorial Day weekend, and the war between the states is one of the things we remember.

Reb

Charcoal
Casey Klahn

Needless to say, one must work fast! I was very happy with the outcome. I sat cross legged on the sidelines and worked back and forth between two sketchbooks, in charcoal and charcoal/pastel to capture the mock battle's ebb and flow.

After the battle, I was able to set up my field easel behind the medical tent and painted a fun work with a Medical Assistant and his banjo. The blue jacket caught my eye, as it could be tied in with another blue uniform jacket that was hanging on a camp tripod, and a third element (perfect!) of a large flag. The backdrop? White canvas tentage.

Sketch


Civil War Medic with Banjo Sketch

10.5" x 9"
Pastel & Charcoal on Diane Townsend Paper
Casey Klahn

Rebel
Charcoal
Casey Klahn

Lessons Learned:

1. I don't draw animals as a habit, but I am happy to get the impressions I got here.
   
2. Following the rule of keeping my field works in a reduced value scale (nothing too dark or light) doesn't work when faced with Army Blue. I should know that stuff, as a veteran myself!
3. The Banjo Player WIP I think may need it's blue elements split up into a triangular composition, with the coat to the right of the figure, and with the white tents as framing highlights. And the background needs work.
4. I wanted to "model" the form of the banjo player, but didn't quit make it. An opportunity there!

Cavalry Formation, Action
Charcoal
Casey Klahn

Battlefield
Pastel in Moleskine
Casey Klahn

It didn't escape me that painting on sight is just as anachronistic as the dress-up event I was chronicling. The camera was just making it's (evil) debut in the same time period, and it would forever make the painting less dear in the public mind.