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Sunday 27 January 2013

Old Ladies and Wings Galore!



I love painting and drawing people’s faces mostly from my imagination.  However, I do find that after a while they all start to look the same.  When this happens, I have found that my drawing improves if I spend some time drawing faces from magazines and books.  I usually do this in the evening while watching TV.

The above drawing is from a picture from the National Geographic which I did this week.  It took me two evenings to do as it is about A4 size and lots of detail!  I have a ready supply of faces as I buy piles of old magazines from the local Salvation Army charity shop.  Then I go through them ripping out images that take my fancy, and put in in big envelopes according to subject.
 
I am dreadful at putting the date on so often have to rely on memory.  The above was from an article about Chinese women grieving about the imprisonment of their children.  I do know that this batch of magazines was at least 30 years old!  I like the magazines from the SA as they usually are very old (they are the only place locally that will take estate clearances).  I find that the old photographs have more tone and depth of field.  I suppose they haven’t been Photoshopped!

WINGS
For Illustration Friday this week the prompt is wings.  This is an illustration I completed before Christmas for one of my stories: 

Melody’s Quest



Melody called out, "Jeremy Wizard, are you there?"
"Melody, come on up and bring your friends. I promise Harvey, my disreputable winged cat will leave Toby alone."  A voice called back
"What a strange wizard," muttered Melody, "Living up a tree? Wizards are meant to live in towers or old castles." She climbed up the ladder and sat on a branch near the Wizard. Gavin wrapped himself around a branch, and Toby settled himself just out of reach of the strangest cat Melody had ever seen.
"Do you know where I come from?" Melody asked straight away.
"A valley far away, there was danger there, and your parents asked me to find a safe place." Jeremy answered.
"Can you do some magic and whisk me there?" Melody demanded.
"I am afraid I cannot do that, I do not think there is any magic that will do that!" Jeremy laughed.
 “You aren't much of a Wizard then are you!" Muttered Melody. 

I had hoped to have the picture of Melody flying over the Red Mountains with her friends on Amber the Red Dragon’s back.  Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to complete it.  Never mind another day perhaps.

So my friends, blessings for the coming week and wishing you lots of creative endeavours.


13 comments:

  1. Beautiful drawings of the faces, and the illustration is great.
    Enjoy your Sunday!

    Eva

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  2. I wish I "loved" to draw and paint people's faces!! LOL. I wish I loved to draw anything specifically at all! lol. I do love drawing, but nothing specific! I think I need to love drawing things like tea cups... Cause they're cute!

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  3. Wonderful portrait drawing, very touching and your "Wings" is beautifully done, delightful! <3

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  4. Portrait and painting are so creative ~ lovely work ~

    Carol of: A Creative Harbor ^_^

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  5. love your beautifully detailed faces and your whimsical illustration too.

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  6. Your images and your words are pure inspiration. I share your feelings about needing to draw from references every now and then...but I no longer have the concentration to do it. I admire your resolve and your talent. Your stories and illustrations are so rich and unique. You are so very truly an artist on every level! Love all your work!

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  7. Very impressed with your portrait drawing. (I avoid people unless they are middle distance)lol.

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  8. Your work is amazing, beautiful and full of emotion! LOVE IT! Happy SS

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  9. That face is amazing! Wow!!! What a switch to the next colorful, more whimsical drawing! Thanks for sharing both. Happy Sunday Sketching!

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  10. i really like your process! recognizing when everything starts looking the same & then forcing yourself to evolve/study beyond that is a great artistic discipline. Love these! they are so excellent, and sort fo sweet

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  11. Powerful scene to capture in graphite! And of course, your wings piece is wondrously whimsical. :D

    ♥ aquariann
    Art Update: Fantasy Mushroom Drawing

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  12. Great work...I especially love the graphite drawing! Happy SS!

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