Rubens copy - version 3

2/14/2010 08:53:00 PM Posted In , , , Edit This 16 Comments »
Well, I tweaked it a bit more today and while it still doesn't look like the reference photo, I think it's getting close to  being all I can do to it to make it better.  I think I still need to make the left cheek (as we look at it) rounder - the face still looks a bit flat.     I can't tell all of you how much I appreciate your suggestions and comments.  This has been a challenge - but the truth is, every master's drawing I've tried to copy has been really difficult for me.  That said, I'm so enjoying doing them ... good thing since I bought all those books!  So, here's my version of today, the reference photo, and then another page from my RR book.

This one was done by Anne Downen, a wonderful artist in Washington who is also a blender and seller of the best tea ever!  She has a blog, which you will find in my blog list (Eccentric Pastiche) - just give it a click, and you'll be there!





16 comments:

Katy Taylor said...

wow, amazing work! thanks for taking a small peek at my explorations!

Janet Ghio said...

You've made great progress nancy!

A.Marie said...

Even though the pose is different. I see the likeness and would say that is the same person. Good job.

arlene said...

I think it looks perfect!

hugs
arlene

Louise said...

Really great job with the shading here Nancy. Such a sensitive range of mark-making techniques too (to quote my old college tutor- but I know what he means when I look at this drawing!).

JRonson said...

The baby is so wonderfull :) nice work

Ann said...

Very nicely done! You should be pleased with this one.

Anonymous said...

Nancy, you have really learned a lot with this one. The face is looking a lot rounder and your shading is beautiful. Your progress is stunning.

Unknown said...

It may be difficult but you are making progress with these! And they are difficult, being done by masters after all!

Krista Meister said...

Nancy, I'm sorry I hadn't followed your progress of this brave and beautiful portrait you are doing. Children, especially, are harder to draw because too much shading makes them "age" older. I think you've done a WONDERFUL job here in many ways - even with the angle of the head in a different position, I applaud you for going forward. You've captured a somber, reflective look on the baby's face, looking downward. Really impressive. And on top of that, it was a massive project you took on! Kudos to you!

P.S.: if you are still seeking drawing tips, (and hopefully I haven't already mentioned it), I would suggest drawing upside down. Take your reference photo and your art, turn them both upside down to (a) check for angles to see if anything needs correcting; and (b) to draw a particularly hard area. I use this check for everything. It forces your brain not to see "nose" or "eye", just "line", "angle" and "shadow".

Dan Kent said...

I think it is excellent. It actually does look like the same child, only yours has lifted its head (as though a picture were taken a moment later). Great job.

Anonymous said...

I missed step 2 of your portrait! And step 3 is very good, the shading, the hair. I like very much the look of the eyes. The only thing I would try is adding a bit more volume to the skull in the back (hard to explain...)

Timaree said...

I have to agree with those who said it looks like the same child but a different pose. You certainly captured the child and the style of drawing too.

debra said...

Great work, I think you're very brave to even try,it is the way that who's the next master going to be?

Dragana Savkov - Bajić said...

you did a great job! I like your drawing and the idea! Maybe I'll try, too!

Revelle Taillon said...

I think you are doing a great job. It's always a learning experience copying Masters. Babies are really hard to draw. You will find the mouth, nose and eyes are always so much closer together than on an adult. So after a quick sketch I always erase and make them closer before I go any further! It's always deceiving. Even when you look at great masters like Michaelangelo, you find babies with adult looking facial features. Keep at it! You're doing great!