Sketching the Madonna and Child

I have been looking at lots of  Madonna and Child paintings and doing quick sketches of them, trying to capture the gesture and basic proportions. It has been good fun, and I think my eye and understanding are improving.

This watercolor is by Frederico Barocci (1528-1612) and is being sold on Christies. I like the lightness and homeyness of this image, different from the more opulent, idealized and majestic Madonna images of the High Renaissance.

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This painting of Mary, baby Jesus and the young John the Baptist is by Carlo Maratta (1625-1713) and can be found at arthertimage.com. I don't like how the colors seem yellowed and faded, but I like very much the contentment, kindness, trust and good cheer on all the faces. I especially like the bright, confiding look of little John the Baptist.

Here is a very rough and messy sketch for what will most likely be a colored pencil drawing, though I'm daydreaming about paint. It's just that colored pencils are so convenient, so easy to pick up and put down, no waiting for anything to dry. I hope that in the finished piece Mary's face will have some of the sweetness and delicacy that I love in the paintings above.

The oval will be partly bordered by fawn lilies, an early spring wildflower where I live, rising above dead oak leaves. I found this picture of one with oak leaves and everything at the Prairie Research Institute.