Grand Staircase Painting

[Clifton Johnson]

Greetings and Salutations,
As I stated on my profile, I am an artist and am currently under way on the largest Titanic painting I have created. I am creating a 2 foot by 3 foot painting of the Grand Staircase in all her glory. It will include several passengers in the piece wearing period clothing. I would enjoy to hear your comments on the passengers and which ones to choose. I do plan to post images of the piece after I am finished. Please comment for I would like to hear other people's views on this.

Best Regards,
Cliff Johnson

 

[Matthew Newman]

Wow!! That's a nice size painting. I hope you can somehow show us with a photo or scan or something when you get your work of art finished!

In answer to your post, I'd personally love to see the Astors and the Strauses somewhere in the painting. Maybe Thomas Andrews. I've really always thought that Thomas Andrews should be in a painting of the Grand Staircase or in a really nice painting of the Smoking Room. Just a couple of ideas.

Please keep us posted on your progress and somehow let us see it when you're done!

Matt.

 

[Clifton Johnson]

I plan on placing Andrews near the bottom of the stairs and looking up towards the clock with a writing tablet in his hand. I do plan on taking pics of it because there is now way I'd be able to scan it. After this is finished I get to paint other areas of the ship. Any other ideas would be great.

 

[Matthew Newman]

I was just thinking that I've rarely, if ever, seen a nice painting of Titanic's bridge with the crew on duty. Maybe the Captain somewhere around? Maybe a painting from the point of view from some standing at the corner of the Officer's Quarters looking in and seeing mostly backs turned looking ahead out the bridge windows? Just another thought...

 

[Clifton Johnson]

Now there's a thought. The bridge would be a nice thing to see. At the moment though I have to concentrate on this monolithic task at hand. The other paintings will be about the same size. Dan Klistoner, if you read this, I know that you helped Frank with his model and I was wondering if you could give me information on the doors that lead to the Boat Deck crew quarters and passenger staterooms. And if at all possible, some images. If any comments please feel free to contact me.

 

[Steve Olguin]

>>I plan on placing Andrews near the bottom of the stairs and looking up towards the clock with a writing tablet in his hand. <<<

Wow, we must share the same brain because I was thinking the exact same thing. I even had the thought of him standing on the starboard flight of stairs to the boat deck, taking notes on the pipe organ that would grace "Gigantic" (this assuming that this feature was thought of before Titanic's sinking). Cannot wait to see it.

 

[Clifton Johnson]

Today I have started the basic sketches of the balustrades and carved acorns on a separate sheet of paper. I have drawn basic sketches of Andrews looking upward. Needless to say, it is coming along well. I am thinking that I will have a passenger hanging over the balustrade as if to get a view down the well of the stairs. I think that I will have a couple coming from the forward A Deck Corridor as though coming from the elevator. I also think that I will have a person coming indoors from the promenade and another couple going up one of the wings of the stairs. Please post your ideas.

Best Regards,
Cliff Johnson

 

[Michael Ridge]

Maybe you could draw the Countess of Rothes with her cousin Gladys Cherry sitting in chairs talking.

Mike

 

[Clifton Johnson]

That would be great except I'm not sure about the chairs. Would they be the wicker kind that you see on the D Deck level or the armchairs that you see in the Ken Marschall paintings.

 

[Michael Ridge]

I was thinking the armchairs Ken Marschall draws.

Mike

 

[Clifton Johnson]

That's what I was thinking but right now my work has been hindered by another project that I will be getting a grade on. I am creating a cut-away view of the White House in Washington DC so just a bit busy. Will check back when I start up again. To keep you posted I have finished the detail on most of the balustrade and woodwork.

 

[Daniel Klistorner]

Clifton,

I know that there is a photo of the Grand Staircase which shows those wicker chairs from D deck, but this photo was taken during construction, and I don't think any wicker furniture would have been present under normal circumstances in the staircase foyers. So just stick with the armchairs that Ken painted, but make sure they're blue and not red. I think Ken painted them red because he used color schemes from the Fr. Pirrone model.

Daniel.

 

[Clifton Johnson]

I was never aware that the furniture was blue. What shade?