First layer of shirt. More layers on the face, chest and arms. Still some repair work to do on the eyes. More on the first layer of the background. More on the hair with more colours added to the mix. Reds, browns and yellows as well as some impressed line with a stylus. Impressed line started on the collar for stitching in shirt (you won't be able to see this at this point.) Sequins outlined on collar to show positioning. Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! Picky, picky little details make my eyes go crazy!
I was approached today while doing my morning sketching at "Bridgehead" in Westboro by a kind immigrant who had been watching me sketch. She was interested in having a painting of her deceased teenaged son painted in coloured pencil. I spoke with her for a long time. It's made me rethink the whole portrait business. This is not the first request I've gotten for a portrait of a loved one who is no longer with them. How different it is from what I expected. Seems that there are many people out there in need of art for healing purposes. Something to preserve a memory and honour a loved one. I try to capture people in their "normal" state. Hair out of sorts, funny facial expressions that they usually make, etc... in an attempt to also capture a glimpse of their personality. (see side bar for "Canada Day Cookies" as an example of what I mean.) I think it would probably be different to some degree in how I would work a portrait such as this. You still want to capture the essence of who they are, but in a more general, lasting way.
2 comments:
I am in awe of your "work". This is beautiful. I imagine besides loved one (human ones) a lot of people would love their animals drawn. I need to work back through your archives when I get a chance to see your past work and how long you have been doing art, and did you take classes, etc. I'm so intrigued by this.
The portrait is looking fantastic! So realistic!
It would probably require a lot of discussion with the loved ones of a deceased person too.
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