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Here is a painting of Johnny Depp I painted for my mother a few days ago. This is my first watercolour portrait and I enjoyed painting it. I decided to do it in watercolour because I always use regular graphite pencils for my portraits and I dont paint as much as I should. I started with a very light wash of colour for the skin tone then I slowly built up the colour to try and find the form of the face. The background looked very plain so I put put a quick wash of blue to make it a bit more colourful and interesting. I painted this picture from a wallpaper that I downloaded onto my ipod. Let me know what you think.
Question
When you are working on an observational drawing do you prefer working from a photograph or from the actual Person/object itself?
Pros and Cons of working from photographs - Pros; subject stays still, lighting is consistent and dependent on quality of image possibly to enlarge and see more detail - Cons: the photograph is 2D and you are working from a 3D object, by default you are limited in your understanding of the form unless you have taken multiple shots from different angles to understand what you can't see. Degas' portrait of Princess Pauline is a prime example of an image painted from a photograph - 2D reference rendered on a 2D surface - it clearly lacks the information that comes from getting the information as a Primary source - take a look at Freud to see why it is important to refer to primary rather than secondary sources,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information, I can clearly see that the Princess Pauline portrait was painted from a photograph as it lacks a great deal of depth. Freud's work shows so much more depth which clearly shows that he observed primary sources. I do plan on studying primary sources more in the future.
DeleteGreg I like your painting and I'm sure your Mum loves it. I think working from primary sources helps achieve depth to the painting which can appear flat otherwise. By choice I would always go for real life rather than a photo as the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. With regards to the time factor it also helps me to work to a time schedule particularly where light is concerned.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback Ann. I realise that most artist would rather use a primary sources because they can engage more with the object. I do plan on using primary sources more in the future but I have always enjoyed drawing wild animals and celebrities.
Deletegreat picture Greg! I'm a bit like you, i like to use primary and secondary sources depending on what it is i'm painting (and weather if its and outside subject! lol) i'm planning on painting my little girl and i intend to to paint from both photograph and from observation if she'll stay still long enough! I have realised from the experience of the course that primary sources do result in a more authentic and spontainious feel to a picture.
ReplyDeleteThanks lynsey, I would like to see your painting when its done, im sure it will turn out great.
Deletewell i've made a start, but Roisinna who's 8 on friday looks like she 18 so far!!
ReplyDeleteI prefer working from a photograph when it's a person, i don't mind either way if it's an inanimate object.
ReplyDeleteI used to draw my favourite actor Elijah Wood, and i try not to make him look like an anime character (damn you Gantz and your anime style)
I think working from photograph's of actor is a great way to practice portraits and prepares you for drawing from life ,ive been doing it for years and I know it has helped me a lot.
DeleteThanks for answering my question.
Danke schon! , I plan on working from life more often because ive found that the outcome is usually much more interesting. thanks for commenting.
ReplyDelete