Portraits 4: groups from memory

No words needed....

Well done lovely peeps!

Monica:  family with locations

Monica:  family from image

Christine:  family using objects, unfinished

finished!

Mike:  family using objects limited colour

Monica:  aqua zumba

Portraits 3: using objects

We started by looking at portraits that have objects included and how those objects could add to our knowledge of the subject.

The fact Thomas Coram (below) is a captain is reinforced by the globe, the seascape in the background etc.  However, because it's a work by Hogarth there's also more subtle elements included for example the partially buttoned waistcoat which is intended to make the subject more human rather than just a powerful man.

The portrait of the poet and playwright, Tony Harrison includes a field of books with an urban landscape in the background.  We don't need to know anything about Harrison to work out he had something to do with literature and probably had urban influences.

"Captain Coram"  William Hogarth (1740)
oil on canvas  239 x 148 cms

"Portrait of Tony Harrison"  Chris Stevens (1994)
oil on canvas  210 x 120 cms

The Task

using personal objects make a "self portrait"

A lot of thinking went into these pieces and although I'm not going to share why here, each is very pertinent to individual who made them.

Wonderful work folks!

Monica

Mike

Dorothy

Portraits 2: pencil & self

Continuing from last week's session, we looked at self portraiture.  Those scary things where the subject is sometimes staring weirdly at the viewer.  We're in good company here...

Stanley Spencer, self portrait 1926, pencil on paper (30.5 x 17.8 cm)
from "Head First" portraits from the Arts Council Collection 1998

Self portraiture is an excellent way to practise portraiture, not least because your subject is available when you are.

I had brought along some of my B Unit* self portraits as a starting point which, I guess inevitably led me to tell a little of my art adventure from "art is not for me" to where I am now.  

I had planned for this session to be about colour in portraiture but after my impromptu talk, I decided to continue with observational drawings in pencil.  The mirrors we used were varied.  Sensible folk used traditional, rectangular mirrors - one of us didn't.

Not an easy thing to do.  Very well done everyone!

Dorothy

Mike

Monica

Christine & demo

*The B Unit was an accredited evening course delivered by Blackpool & the Fylde College.  The classes were held one evening a week through the academic year.  The highest mark was equivalent to 70% of an A Level.

pencil on paper, 1995  (50 x 42 cm)

pencil on paper, 1995 (50 x 42 cm)
[Why would anyone wear an aran jumper for a self portrait!]

Portraits 1: pencil & peers - resemblance

Over the next few weeks we're going to be taking a closer look at portraiture.  

By unpicking how to read visual art, we will be able to piece together how to make a depiction of a person using a variety of visual language.

This week we looked at resemblance.  We captured likeness through observational drawing using pencil.

Much easier to say than do.

Below are the images of the group and at the bottom are some very quick sketches made at the end of the session.

Well done everyone! 

Next week we will introduce colour to a more familiar subject.

Derrick by Dorothy

Monica by Derrick

Dorothy by Mike

Mike by Monica

quick sketch:  Derrick by Dorothy

quick sketches:  Mike by Monica