Masterpiece 1st Pass

I will be working on copying and simplifying this painting by Thomas Eakins over the next few days. I brought it to class last night for an initial critique. First thing Catherine said was, "Why this intense ground color? You have to fight it all the time. Why not start with a NEUTRAL ground?" Other than that, she liked my choice of painting to copy. Going to the studio this morning. Check out  Powers of Observation, and see student paintings from the class.