We were looking through old photos to do with Rachel’s “100 hearts” needlework (blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/) when I came across a small one of my two friends taken forty years ago with the sunlight in exactly the right place! OK they were younger but at the size I am painting them, that will not be a problem, and most people don’t mind looking younger, anyway. So I tried another sketch using this new information.
That’s more like it – not a likeness yet but the shadows and highlights are better. Her left eye should be a trifle higher, perhaps. The tilt of the head is characteristic. It took me two hours to achieve this much, I have so much to learn! I used a charcoal pencil, which is a new tool to me, so even the medium was an experiment. I think I have more control over the marks than I do with a charcoal stick, more precision, anyway. However, I think this could be the basis for painting. Now to tackle him.
I don’t think the introduction of white has improved his appearance any! But light and shade, now observed rather than imagined are better, if rather heavy handed.
If time permits I will try again in pencil to see if I can achieve a likeness. I remember reading recently that if you don’t achieve a likeness in line, try again, because shading cannot correct an inaccurate drawing. This is a great incentive to observe more closely.
No, not quite likenesses, but certainly more like than before. And isn’t interesting to find how a change of medium can help or hinder with some things!