Rubens Version 3
4/25/2010 08:42:00 PM Posted In master's copies , pencil drawing Edit This 15 Comments »
OK, so she's proving herself to be a worthy adversary. I've been working and reworking her face and I just can't seem to get it right. Of course, part of the problem is what I mentioned in her first (very faint) appearance, which is that right out of the gate I had the angle of her head wrong. But, since I decided to forge ahead anyway, the problem only magnified itself as I drew. I had the eyes at the wrong slant and the line of her right side (the one on our left) is wrong. Howsomever (I know, not a real word, but it seem to fit the bill), I valiantly (or stubbornly, which is more to the point) struggled on with her until I just had to stop..... which is not to say that during this process I didn't walk away from her a number of times, giving each of us a much needed time out. I turned her upside down and sideways, trying to get a better feel for the lines, and the acrobatics did help. She, however, didn't agree and complained bitterly. So in the end, I told her we were through for the day, leading to a giant sigh of relief from us both.
15 comments:
I want to thank you for your comment on my blog. It made me feel good.
I can see why this is giving you fits. I have covered the top half of the pictures and it looks good, I've covered the bottom half and it looks good. I have looked at the shape of the face and frankly although she doesn't look quite the same I couldn't tell you just where she doesn't! No wonder doing portraits is a great skill to have. I think you are doing a super job of getting a close likeness.
Awesome job with the hair and the facial expression Nancy! =) Your version has a bit more drama into it, and she seems like she's got an attitude comparing to the original... and I like that!
I think you are doing fabulously, Nancy!
It's not exactly the same, but it's her anyway. Maybe you portrayed her just five minutes later, after she heard something that made her lift an amused eyebrow?
Portraits are really a fascinating work, because it's so hard to understand what actually defines the likeness.
In this case you really got her right, despite the small differences - that's interesting : ) !
I think Alex has it sussed - yours has more attitude. Looks great.
If you are going for forgery copy: eye nearest us, towards the nose could be rounder and less of a line.
Howsomever - Love it! I wonder if I used it in class tomorrow, would anyone would notice?
I think you are doing great. When I do a portrait I always just start out with a big head shaped circle and work on that for a long time until the head shape is right. Then I draw my horizontal and vertical lines that encircle the head where the eyes, nose and mouth will fall. The top of the eyebrows should line up with the top of the ear at the angle in this original. Don't be afraid to put tracing paper over the original and draw some circles round the head so you can get a feel for proportions and placement before you start your drawing. It will help you "see" placement of top of head,nose tilt, etc. I know some people just start with an eye and go from there but I just couldn't get the proportions right if I started that way.
I think you are doing awesome! Keep at it!
This is really tough - and with each step, you learn more. I think your drawing is great. I think the problem may be the distant eye - closed a touch too much - that's my guess - what I'd rework next, but then I'd probably be wrong and have to try something else. ;) Like I said - this is tough. Great efforts!
She has the look of a slightly awkward madam...I like how she turned out, and you learned something with this apart from inventing a new word, so that's got to be useful. I also really enjoyed reading your description of the process.
looking great from my viewpoint, but if she gives you any further trouble, threaten to show her the back of the closet like I do with my paintings!
Oh marvelous! I this is a wonderful copy - and the slightly different tilt to the head makes your version have a more 'arch' expression, somehow. I think is fabulous!
I think you are doing a great job with this one, and I dont think you are being a chicken with the softer pencil... Its better to do it that way instead of burning through with the hardest pencil you can find (and then you cant fix things as you go). Well done : )
Mari
It doesn't look exact, but she is definitely still a likeness. Like kazumi says...maybe just a few minutes later! I never look the same in two different photos!
I'm so happy you feel better and the Rubens is spot on!
before you are too harsh on yourself on whether or not your drawing looks "exactly" like the original, consider the fact that the original drawing likely veers somewhere from the original human ;)your own style and hand should always show through, even when "copying" another's work--i think you are doing a wonderful job :)
I think you are doing a fabulous job of this drawing. It is much more difficult than people think.
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