"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." Vincent Van Gogh

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Algerian Woman Graphite Portrait


Last week it was dreadlocks, the week before it was horn rimmed glasses and this week it is a head scarf! Each week the Reno Portrait Society presents a new and difficult challenge! Our model from Algeria (I am sorry to say I did not catch her name) was serious, subdued and very still. I first tried drawing her in 3/4 view but she had such an interesting profile that after this sketch of about 45 minutes, I moved my position to the other side of the studio.



The next 10 or 15 minutes were spent in quickly doing these two sketches in an effort to get a feeling for the curves of her profile.
This is  the final drawing - taking about 40 minutes. What an interesting model and a productive morning. Now back to the easel.....

18 comments:

  1. Wow! this last sketch is wonderful, Susan!!
    The perfect model!!!

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    1. I was so intrigued by her profile and it made drawing her so much fun. Gratifyingly, She was very pleased with the final profile portrait.

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  2. Very interesting seeing your various challenges. You did well!

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    1. Thanks, Diana - the challenges always seem to make me all the more determined.

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  3. Ma chère Susan bonjour,

    J'ai manqué tant de vos publications !!... J'espère qu'à la rentré de septembre je redeviendrai plus régulière !... A partir de fin juillet je serai en exposition et loin du net.

    Je viens de me régaler en admirant toutes vos dernières oeuvres, avec notamment ces croquis extraordinaires. Le choix des modèles apporte un véritable atout et vous en avez parfaitement tiré parti.
    Le portrait également peint est exceptionnel ! Il est si vivant ! Votre palette est particulièrement riche et magnifique.

    Gros bisous à vous...

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    1. I will miss you the rest of the summer, MartineAlison, but hope you have a wonderful vacation. I have a feeling you might be visiting some very exotic places! Thank you so much for your kind support!

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  4. What a fascinating model!!! You lucky hot-dog! The 3/4 reminds me of 15th c. Dutch portraiture - Durer's mother??? But the profiles - I am so glad you moved to capture these.

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    1. I am so lucky to be able to attend these open studio sessions. She was an unexpected delight to draw. We were supposed to draw a local weatherman that day but he couldn't make it and this is the model who turned up!

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  5. Great way to get back into the blogging world seeing these awesome drawings. Your work is really, really beyond what most of us can do. I enjoyed looking back over what I missed while on vacation.

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    1. Thanks so much, Julie - your words mean a lot to me!

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  6. Wow, your drawings are so beautiful!

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  7. I would lovfe to watch you as you work at life class. Your drawings look effortless!! Such beautiful work - again!!! :0)

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    1. I tend to draw very quickly - usually completing 3 sketches while most everyone else works on only one for the entire 3 hours. I don't know why!

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  8. Knap gedaan Susan, en dat in die korte tijd.
    groetjes,
    Simonne

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  9. Belo trabalho...Espectacular....
    Cumprimentos

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!