N.C Wyeth, Giant on a Hilltop

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Let’s take a trip back to January 1945, when American Artist magazine featured an article the esteemed artist, N.C. Wyeth. Wyeth has left an indelible mark on the art world with his enchanting illustrations and paintings. From his early days as a student under Howard Pyle, he shaped his life to embody the highest ideals of philosophy and art. His strong ties to his native Brandywine region informed his work, evident in his depictions of the lives of American Indians, pioneers, woodsmen, and farmers. Wyeth immersed himself in historical facts and lived the lives of his subjects, believing that true understanding was necessary for authentic artistic expression.

Original 1945 article in American Artist Magazine. Notice the charcoal drawing of N.C. Wyeth’s studio by his son, Andrew Wyeth.

This look back to the original 1945 article reveals three key aspects of Wyeth’s painting process that resonate with contemporary artists, including his approach to research, emphasis on human character and genuine associations, and unwavering dedication to the craft of painting.

1: Dedication to the Subject

One crucial aspect of N.C. Wyeth’s painting process was his dedication to immersing himself in the subject matter he depicted. Rather than being a mere observer, he believed in the power of direct experience. Wyeth sought to deeply understand and feel the essence of his subjects, often living the lives he intended to portray in his art. This commitment to experiential knowledge allowed him to infuse his paintings with authenticity.

“Every illustration or painting I have made in the last thirty years has been done from the imagination or the memory. However, I have constantly studied from the figure, from animals and from landscape, and have especially stressed the training of my memory.
This I’ve done from the time I was seventeen. An early and greatly valued teacher of mine, one Charles W. Reed of Boston, insisted that the faculty of memory had become a lost function among American artists, and he blamed much of the lack of mood and imagination in their work to this fact.”
N.C. Wyeth, January 1945

N.C. Wyeth Illustration featured in the original American Artist article

2: Personal Growth

He believed in the importance of personal development and intellectual growth. His extensive library included works by Thoreau, Tolstoy, and Romain Rolland, which enriched his understanding of art and life. He also emphasized the significance of honest association with people and becoming widely versed in the complexities of human character.

Wyeth firmly believed that his artwork should resonate with his own experiences and emotions. He saw every painting as an opportunity to find something within himself that echoed with the subject. While extensive research and attention to detail are important, personal connection and emotional engagement play a vital role.

Egg Tempera painting featured in the original American Artist magazine.

3: Painting Process

N.C. Wyeth’s painting process, as described by the artist himself, involved creating paintings entirely from memory. He used egg tempera on a gesso ground, following a method that he believed conformed to Renaissance traditions. He described his process this way:

1

Begin with meticulously-prepared gesso panels using whiting and glue on pressed wood.

2

Develop the composition and refine the subject charcoal.

3

This drawing is then carefully mapped onto the panel with a brush and India ink. A lantern slide is used in this step when the initial drawing needs to be enlarged. He described the quality of this India ink drawing as “…to such a degree of completeness that an excellent and complete tonal drybrush drawing results. This is all imperatively necessary in order to give the overpainting in color full body and power-it can make the shadows deeply rich and luminous and will give the overall pattern in its finality a unified and richly fabricated surface.“

4

Coat the entire ink drawing with a thin layer of egg yolk and distilled water. This fixes the India ink and creates an adhesive layer for color.

5

The egg tempera painting then develops in a strict process of building one color over another, ensuring that every inch of surface carries an equal amount of pigmentation. Transparent glaze over the opaque layers to achieve glowing depth and luminous brilliance.

The Takeaway

There’s much we can learn from Wyeth’s approach to immersion in subject matter, seeking firsthand experiences, and striving for a profound understanding of subjects. By infusing our work with personal authenticity and emotional resonance, we can create more compelling and meaningful art. Wyeth sets an example by cultivating a thirst for knowledge, exploring diverse literature and cultural influences, and actively engaging with people from various backgrounds. His dedication to the craft of painting is an inspiration to us all.

Has N.C. Wyeth been an inspiration to you? Let us know and share your work!