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Wednesday 11 July 2012

Portrait Commission

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.

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!!!


15 comments:

  1. Oh. My. Goodness. Incredible! You certainly have what it takes!

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    1. thank you Minnemie - I do enjoy doing portraits and I've enjoyed doing pencil work again - I'd forgotten how relaxing it is!

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  2. I 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.

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    1. thank you Elaine, really appreciate you popping by and commenting, have a lovely day

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  3. You'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!

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    1. aah 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!

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  4. El retrato es muy bueno, entiendo el miedo cuando te piden uno pero, insisto, este es fantástico!

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  5. Go forth with confidence Sharon... you can do this!!! I am certain they will be delighted!!!

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  6. Go for it Sharon....and Good Luck.

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  7. Ciao,
    bellissimo 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

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  8. This is excellent portrait work Sharon!

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    1. thank you Karen - really appreciate you dropping by and commenting x

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