Faces, that is. I think I'm really going to enjoy and benefit from my 101 Faces project this year. I'm not doing a portrait series, but more an exploration of the face as a vehicle for emotion and meaning, and/or as an incarnation of light, texture and form. Here are my first two faces of the series and I look forward to gaining a higher degree of playfulness and inventiveness with materials as I go along!
The first is a colored pencil sketch of a Botticelli self portrait
and the second is a pencil and watercolor sketch of a relative of a dear friend of mine. She and her relative are Urkrainian.
These and all the pieces in this series are/will be roughly 6" x 7", 1/16th of a 22" x 30" sheet of Fabriano Artistico hot press watercolor paper. This size will work well for a large grouping. I'm really excited about this project! Many of the pieces will be done from life, but I'm using all sources at my disposal!
I've mentioned my messy studio, so thought I'd sketch it in its current tidy state. This is exactly the kind of drawing I wouldn't have attempted before last year's month-long study of interiors! The twelve months of sketching various topics helped in many ways.
Not that this is perfect or a masterwork, but I had fun doing it.
Dear Laura, I am so touched by this drawing. I have tears coming to my eyes looking at your sketch of my grandfather's portrait.
Thank you so much!
Hugs,
V.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | January 15, 2007 at 05:31 PM
*Faces: Love that strong colour you've used as a contrasting background. The face just jumps out at me when I look at it! Wonderful colours and shading. Love that contemptuously curled lip! Or maybe it's the disdainful look in the eyes. Either way it's wonderful. :o)
*studio: I can see why you are pleased with this one. It looks so confident and purposeful without being contrived in any way. Just fantastic Laura. :o)
Posted by: Terri | January 15, 2007 at 12:04 AM
I am looking at your site again and am really taken with your *project* approach. I read on one of your posts that the projects sort of just happened, and I feel connected with you on that and understand it as a Project happened to me last year and I am in the thick of it: Thousand Sketches in one year on a Tablet PC.
In my 290 sketches so far there are a few faces, but not as many as I would like - #9 is my favourite. I have been thinking & wanting to do more and I will!
One of the people who suits me as an inspiration is Alex Katz, it works for one of my styles - but the more sketchy style that you have will inspire me too.
Jana (above) asked who else you are looking at - do you study others?
I will look forward to keeping up with what you are up to.
Posted by: Walter Logeman | January 14, 2007 at 05:33 AM
I feel so encouraged after reading all of these comments---and SO moved by the poem Marly quoted. I'll be ordering that translation, too! I'm very happy that the 101 Faces are inspiring others. The project is perfect for me right now. I can already see how it is transforming my eye and my hands. Thank you a million times for taking the time to comment so enthusiastically, you all!
Posted by: Laura | January 12, 2007 at 08:04 PM
PLUS, ok, I'm inspired to do more interiors...UGH. I did the bathroom last night as a before for a before and after challange. BATHROOMs ARE HARD
Posted by: lindsay | January 12, 2007 at 08:59 AM
Larua, this is my second time back to look at Bottecceli! This is a wonderfully expressive self portrait and a great beginning to yoru project. I'm crazy about how you handle the colored pencil. I want to try working looser with this media too! I look, and I learn. PLUS all the comments were really interesting. Love the poem!!! Such rich food here!
Posted by: lindsay | January 12, 2007 at 08:58 AM