Sunday 16 November 2008

First Self Portrait

Our homework from the drawing and painting class this week was to draw a self portrait.
"Homework?" I hear you ask. "You've never mentioned that before Linda"
Umm... well, I didn't mention it before because... I didn't... do any! It's optional anyway. Honest.

So anyway, this week we were asked to look in the mirror and draw what we see. No.
"No?"
No. Just no. The mirror thing - it's not gonna happen. My husband tells me I'm beautiful and I believe him - I don't need a second opinion thank-you-very-much! So I dug out a photograph from way back when I was cute - when I was about 5! And here is the result:


This was the reference photo:


I know; I cheated. It's so much easier to copy from a photo than draw from life. But trust me, I'm not going near that mirror!


B6 sketch stick on A4 heavyweight paper.

13 comments:

queencraftygirl said...

I LOVE your drawing! A lot better then I could do, I am a lot better with animals. I love it! You really captured yourself (when you were five.)

Love,
Queencraftygirl

Undaunted said...

Thank you so much Queeny! I've seen your portraits though, and you are very good too. Did you draw your Mom and brother from a photo or from real life? I find real life really hard!

Leanne Pizio said...

Heu Un D,
I agree with Miss Queeny. I really like the drawing of you when you were five. I think you captured your spirit in your eyes. And you did a really nice job on the mouth. Mouths are so difficult especially when there are teeth involved.
Great job.
Leanne

queencraftygirl said...

I drew my little brother from real life, it was HARD! He wouldn't sit still!! I drew my mom from a photo and a little bit from real life. (Both are hard for me though, people are NOT easy!) Great job again!!

Love,
Queeny

Undaunted said...

Thank you Leanne! Yes, I did struggle with the mouth (even though there are no teeth) because my lips are so wonky in that photo! My hubby saw the drawing before it was finished and he recognised that it was from that photo by the wonky mouth!


Oh wow Queeny, you did so well! You've seen my portraits from life and they are not good, even though the model sat very still! It's true, people are hard to do. I don't know what the correct way of doing a portrait is, but I always start with the eyes and then move on to the nose. I try to use a soft pencil that I can smudge for shadows, and I have to squint to help me see the shaded areas. I think this portrait took me about 3 hours!!

jafabrit said...

I don't think it is that easy to copy a photo and pull it off without it looking stilted. I think you did a super job, and more so because children are hard to do too.

Undaunted said...

Thank you Jafabrit. Anita said the same thing about children, but I don't think I have enough experience to know - I think all portraits are hard!

She gave me some constructive criticism too - she felt that the nose was slightly too long and that I could have made the top of the hair darker - all things that I will bear in mind in future, but after spending about 3 hours on this piece I would like to call it finished!

Any other constructive criticism welcome :)

Kathy L said...

OMG, Linda

This is absolutely fabulous! The eyes are incredible. I would say that you should do more portraits. What talent!

k

Undaunted said...

Oh wow, thanks Kathy! Umm... I don't know what to say to that! Just, thank you!

Leanne Pizio said...

Hey Un D,
Thank you for your lovely post. I am sorry. I didn't get your email. Would you mind resending it?
Thank you so much!
Leanne

Undaunted said...

I've resent it! I hope you get it this time!

Anonymous said...

Nice Job! :)

Undaunted said...

Thank you Anne! :)