Artist's Mother-in-Law

Wyn, Pastel Pencil on Strathmore Paper
Size 40cm x 30cm (mount size 50cm x 40cm)

Our house guest (my mother-in-law) has now returned home. However, on her last day we went for a lovely walk in the unseasonal sunshine and she kindly obliged me and my camera. I took several pictures in the shade. None were very inspiring but I thought I'd be able to make something of them. However, as we came out of the trees, with our backs to the sun, the light caught Wyn's hair and I just had to capture the moment. The result was a lovely photo which Wyn approved of too.

The frames of the glasses are unframed so it could be tempting to draw in edges where they aren't obvious or leave them out altogether. None of these approaches would have worked. I just trusted that observing the same level of detail as always, that something of value would happen - and indeed I think it works. Hope you agree.

Grandma Wyn

Grandma Wyn, Pastel Pencil on Strathmore Paper
Size 40cm x 30cm (mount size 50cm x 40cm)

When drawing from a photograph, it's easy to get bogged down in the detail. If you know the person you are drawing it can make it far easier to portray the personality rather than an array of wrinkles and blemishes.

This is my husband's Grandmother. She turned 100 last year, but I've never known anyone so happy and she's so full of life! This lady really is so much fun! I hope I caught the mischief in her eyes.

Some areas of a portrait I will copy faithfully, other parts, such as wrinkles and blemishes will generally be downplayed. This is not to flatter the subject - but because I am capturing a likeness, not drawing a map. The texture of the skin can usually be hinted at without even referring to individual lines. This impressionist approach takes practice, but I love to capture something in as few strokes as possible - if nothing else, it adds a freshness and vibrancy.