Sunday 8 February 2015

08/02: START OF ANOTHER 'CHARACTER'

We're back from Fuerteventura where the weather was decidedly not its usual sunny itself.    Although the shade temperatures were around 20degrees, it was windier than usual and very cloudy every day, definitely not beach weather most of the time.    Its the coldest winter for decades in the Canaries and is being attributed to the Gulf Stream being erratic ...

But, we did more walking than usual and I took my camera everywhere and kept 'snapping' away so I've come home with lots more subjects on my 'to do' list.     They are mostly of the two legged variety this time, although I did meet some gorgeous cats and dogs

This drawing is of a 'tramp' who lives on a bench in a small park outside one of the largest supermarkets in Corralejo, Fuerteventura.    He's been around there for many years and rumour has it that in a previous life he was a doctor and that his family visit him periodically to 'clean' him up.  Not sure how true it is but he's certainly a character and I do love 'lived in' faces.   I'm sure he's much younger than we think but years sitting in the sunshine (and drinking) have taken a toll.

I started on the bobble hat but soon got distracted and penciled in some of the major wrinkle/lines.  The hat is going to take quite a while I think.  I'm trying not to get too bogged down in the knitting design but just doing enough to suggest some texture.

I'm working on Derwent watercolour paper which is creamy white - the colour cast here has been added by my camera (poor light) but I won't bother adjusting the photos at this early stage.   So far I've used Polycolor (koh-I-Noor) and Prismalo (Caran D'Ache) pencils but will probably introduce Prismacolors and Derwents when I progress onto his skin/eyes





Oh and I should add that although he's wearing a hat so I don't have to draw hair, he has a bushy beard and moustache so that will keep me quiet when I get to that stage

6 comments:

  1. looking good so far :D

    drawing faces that are more"lived in" makes i think for a more interesting drawing and I think its fun at least and a challenge to get the face looking right and not too young or too old

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  2. Great start, Sue! I have no doubt this will be gorgeous as your people usually are! Hope you get lots of time to work on it so we can see regular updates!
    Welcome home!

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  3. How fabulous!! Your portraits are always just the finest works of art, Sue!

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  4. He looks [and sounds] like a fascinating character, Sue.
    Kathryn

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  5. The weather here in Sicily has been very cold & wet too, unusual. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished portrait, it looks good already!

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  6. Thanks ladies.
    I came back from Fuerteventura with a few photos of 'characters' that I'm really keen to draw .. so need to crack on with them whilst the creative juices are flowing.

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