In the meantime here's a graphite drawing I've got 'on the go' as its easier for me to work on non-colour pictures once the daylight disappears. So this is coming along very slowly as I'm working on it in short sessions. It isn't required till after Christmas but I expect it to be completed long before then.
The ref photo is an old passport picture so not big or clear but there's enough detail for me to see her features. My problem is the ornate hairstyle which is very dark in the photo so there will be more than a little 'artistic licence' involved
Its drawn on bright white Mellotex paper but as usual the photos look blue - I will be making lots of adjustments to her lip and skintones along the way but want to get the dark hair a little further advanced which will help me to work out the balance.
Right that's me finished for the day - have a great weekend everybody. We had a Royal visit today - well the Queen and Prince Philip visited Margate which is close to us ... I didn't have a car today so couldn't take a look. I understand the local council scurried round cleaning/painting and 'tarting up' the town and the smelly seaweed was removed from Margate Beach in case it caused a 'right royal stink' :-)
That's stunning. What erea is it?
ReplyDeleteThanks Amatheya. I don't know the answer to that but I'd guess 60s (kind of Breakfast at Tiffany's isn't it)?
ReplyDeleteI'll ask the client next time I email him as I'm curious as well.
In the ref. photo her mouth is slightly lopsided but I think it looks a little strange here so will need to ask his thoughts about that anyway.
Cool, it would be really interesting to find out.
ReplyDeleteI kinda like the slightly lopsided mouth. It's a nice quirk that makes her look real and it's not overly obvious unless you're looking for it.
She is beautiful
ReplyDeleteI don't remember seeing a black and white portrait in your blog feed before Sue - this is stunning!!! Makes me want to dig out the graphite pencils and play, and I'm usually much more a fan of colour :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful portrait Sue. This is going to be stunning.
ReplyDeleteOh we can't have a royal stink. LOL.
Hope they had a good time in your beautiful part of the UK. I would have thought she would pop in for a cuppa with you.
Thanks Brenda ... hopefully I will do her justice.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen - my first 'human' subjects were always in graphite as I was nervous of using colour but you're right I haven't done a graphite drawing for several months ... and I've another one in the pipeline. I think there must have been a surge of 'nostalgia'
No they didn't honour me with a visit Dors .... but they did meet with Tracy Emin - Margate 'bad girl - turned good' who is a controversial contemporary artist.
Wow, wow, wow! I really, really like this one, Sue. Yes, the lip is a little lopsided but it looks like one of those lovely, regal, Victorian portraits. I guess it goes along with the queen's visit!
ReplyDeleteIt is looking great already Sue and I know that this is likely to be a real challenge. I think working on this sort of things is almost in equal measures challenging and rewarding if that make sense? The era is caught already...love it :-)
ReplyDeletevery nice soft looking piece :D
ReplyDeletemeh, i think tracy emin is very over rated :/
ExcellentWork
ReplyDeletehi Sue
ReplyDeletethis looks brilliant - very soft and excellent for skin-tones. Looking forward to see finished
Wow .. thanks everybody. It seems this style of 'nostalgic' picture appeals to a lot of people. Perhaps in the New Year I'll invest in some sepia tone pencils/charcoal and have a go!
ReplyDeleteYou are really doing a good job on the hair. I used to wear a false hairpiece that was "barrell curls" in the 70s. It was similar to her hair. Good job.
ReplyDelete