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Today's art post is a definite departure, and has a curious history.
There's this woman named Heidi whom I see on my social media through mutual acquaintances. We like each other's posts but don't directly talk all that much. But yesterday, I suddenly got a message from her on Instagram:
I blinked for a while before replying:
Then, this back from her:
Fair enough.
And so I gave the matter some thought. I could take it as a sort of commission, I guess. Plus, Heidi is a striking woman, and the chances of getting some good art out of this were not insubstantial. So I browsed thru her Instagram and came across this pic, which convinced me to go for it:
I chose this one cuz it shows off her strong, sharp facial features which give her real character, as well as her stunning indigo mane. However, I chickened out on trying to capture that indigo, and decided to work in grayscale -- where I have decades more experience to provide me with better control. (When attempting a likeness, control matters a lot.) Looking over the pic and figuring out how best to render its various aspects, I hit upon a mixed media approach which I have never tried before: a combo of ink [both Pigma Micron markers and India ink with a brush], pencil to keep the skin tones and details delicate, and watercolor for gray washes to capture the energy of the print blouse.
And, much to my surprise, I ended up very happy with the final result. Whatever its shortcomings as a perfect likeness might be, I think it's a decent little drawing, all told.
There's this woman named Heidi whom I see on my social media through mutual acquaintances. We like each other's posts but don't directly talk all that much. But yesterday, I suddenly got a message from her on Instagram:
If you’re ever so inclined to try your hand at sketching or watercoloring one of my pictures and you’re pleased with the outcome, I would purchase it from you. Just thought I would throw that out there.
I blinked for a while before replying:
Thank you, that's good to know. But portraiture is one of my weaknesses, I am not much good at capturing a likeness. So it would take a lot of courage for me to tackle this -- but it might happen someday. I am giving it serious thought cuz if it turned out good, I'd be delighted!
Then, this back from her:
If it doesn’t, chalk it up to practice, nothing lost. I don’t mind being your “model”. Use whatever pictures you like.
Fair enough.
And so I gave the matter some thought. I could take it as a sort of commission, I guess. Plus, Heidi is a striking woman, and the chances of getting some good art out of this were not insubstantial. So I browsed thru her Instagram and came across this pic, which convinced me to go for it:
I chose this one cuz it shows off her strong, sharp facial features which give her real character, as well as her stunning indigo mane. However, I chickened out on trying to capture that indigo, and decided to work in grayscale -- where I have decades more experience to provide me with better control. (When attempting a likeness, control matters a lot.) Looking over the pic and figuring out how best to render its various aspects, I hit upon a mixed media approach which I have never tried before: a combo of ink [both Pigma Micron markers and India ink with a brush], pencil to keep the skin tones and details delicate, and watercolor for gray washes to capture the energy of the print blouse.
And, much to my surprise, I ended up very happy with the final result. Whatever its shortcomings as a perfect likeness might be, I think it's a decent little drawing, all told.
