Yesterday out of the blue I was given a commission to do a portrait - a lovely lady who brings her grandson to the language and play sessions that I run (that's my day job!) asked me if I do pencil work and when I said yes she asked me if I could do a portrait of a couple she knows for their anniversary - 'yikes!!!!' I thought but a little voice inside me said 'go for it' - so I said I would have a go but if she didn't like the finished result there would be no obligation to buy - so it takes the pressure off a little bit! I haven't done graphite portraits for months and months so it is a bit daunting - ' Better get some practice in this week' I thought - before I get the photo for the commission! - so the watercolours may be on the back burner for a few days and you'll be bombarded with my graphite attempts! I've been so obsessed with watercolours for the last year that I've completely neglected all other mediums! I do enjoy working with graphite and have done a few portraits but am definitely a bit out of practice. One of the last portraits I did was the above one - Li Newton lives in San Salvador and takes the most beautiful photographs of the people who live there - and has very generously posted many of them to PaintmyPhoto. I've drawn and painted a few of her photographs and this is probably my favourite.
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Rachael from San Salvador from a photo by Li Newton |
So I'll be sharpening my pencils after tea tonight and getting back into the graphite work - wish me luck!!!
Oh. My. Goodness. Incredible! You certainly have what it takes!
ReplyDeletethank you Minnemie - I do enjoy doing portraits and I've enjoyed doing pencil work again - I'd forgotten how relaxing it is!
DeleteI remember this photo... a lovely girl, and you captured her very well with your pencil. I'm sure you'll do a great job on the portrait.
ReplyDeletethank you Elaine, really appreciate you popping by and commenting, have a lovely day
DeleteYou're portraits are lovely and you have a very nice drawing style of your own. I'm sure it will go well and she will buy it ... but I'll still wish you good luck anyway!
ReplyDeleteaah thanks Michael - I don't think the commission is going to happen now anyway as I've not been able to go into work this week due to illness so I wont see the lady who was enquiring but at least it got me back into doing a bit of pencil work again which I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed!
DeleteEl retrato es muy bueno, entiendo el miedo cuando te piden uno pero, insisto, este es fantástico!
ReplyDeletethank you so much Tina
DeleteGo forth with confidence Sharon... you can do this!!! I am certain they will be delighted!!!
ReplyDeletethank you Judith
DeleteGo for it Sharon....and Good Luck.
ReplyDeletecheers Pete!
DeleteCiao,
ReplyDeletebellissimo ritratto: intenso e molto espressivo... Il volto pensa e parla e chi lo guarda e questa è la grande magia dei ritratti fatti bene come il tuo...emozioni ed emozioni... ed emozioni ancora!
Ciao, ciao, Floriana
This is excellent portrait work Sharon!
ReplyDeletethank you Karen - really appreciate you dropping by and commenting x
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