Cavalier No. 4

This is me capturing the Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals, 1624. He was an unknown gentleman who was apparently 26 at the time he was portrayed. It doesn't have much in common with Hals work but I am trying these days to catch the vibrancy and the spirit of things otherwise I get too bogged down in the detail. I am completely, however, in absolutely awe of the old-school painters. They were incredible and it would be my dream to be able to paint as they painted. However, in the mean time, I read an article on Liza Minnelli the other day and apparently Judy Garland had said to her that it's better to be a first-rate version of yourself than a second-rate version of someone else. So that's the plan...just got to get there...somehow!

17th century men with attitude

I went to the Edinburgh College of Art degree show last weekend (in new shoes, so new blisters has meant no wandering this weekend!). I particularly enjoyed the Illustration room, which had some great visual diaries, together with books (both comic and children's books) illustrated and written by the students - some were really fantastic. I am rambling, however, I have noticed a tendency for the comic books I've seen to have buccaneers and I've also picked up the pirate theme in things I've seen elsewhere in Edinburgh. So I thought I would try my own hand at drawing buccaneers, with their flamboyant fashion and big attitudes. So far, I have found a few pictures of 17th century men's fashion to base the drawings on mainly at http://www.costumes.org/. These ones are just starters, but I haven't posted anything in my blog for so long, I wanted to post something so you know I haven't disappeared.

Titian

Today I did my usual Saturday afternoon in Edinburgh and went out hunting for an art gallery and something to sketch. I went to The Queen's Gallery to see the Art of Italy Renaissance exhibition and fell into the hands of Titian (or attributed to Titian) via the Boy with a Pipe (on the right). The work swallowed my heart whole. The work is so beautiful, the Boy is so beautiful and thoughtful, it amazes me. After the gallery, I traipsed down Calton Road and chanced upon this monument (on the left). Its only a quick sketch, as I'm trying to change my focus to expressing my impression of what I see not what's exactly there. Also trying to learn to cope with all the distractions of sketching in a live area, with people walking by having serious conversations about what to tell their boyfriend about stuff, crazy hyperactive people running and laughing, people taking photos and looking over my shoulders.

Edinburgh beginnings

To my Pa, who wanted me to keep my blog updated and to my Ma, who keeps sending me parcels from home. Left - top of the Royal Mile, Right - Self-portrait (kinda looks like me - the nose anyhow!). Finally found an art supply shop in Edinburgh today, just past the North Bridge. Got an artist journal with different colour paper which I look forward to using. Also went to Museum of Scotland and got half way through and the fire alarm went off. Good what I saw though and early BC/AD jewellery was cool.

Contour at Airports

Blue ink on paper. Waiting at Singapore and Heathrow airports I thought I would try some contour drawings. Stumbled across Scottish National Portrait Gallery today. Portraits completely blew me away. Looks like I'm going to have to try drawing my own face again!