Research point 1
In this piece of work I'm going to take a look at how a variety of artists depict the face in different ways. My starting point is two artists I know who work locally. The first one is Pat Carrington who drew this portrait in pencil.
 |
| London Tramp by Pat Carrington - 2014 |
This man was photographed by the artists' son on a London street. The fee was two cigarettes. The drawing was exhibited at Retford Art Society in Autumn 2014 and sold on the opening night.
It is finely detailed and the range of tone is what gives it its power. It was fabulous.
Quite different is the work of Stephen Pursey. I took these photographs at his exhibition at the Gallery at St Martins, Lincoln last October:
 |
| Stephen Pursey - self portrait 2014 |
 |
| Estonia by Stephen Pursey - 2014 |
Pursey's work is in acrylic and has a sort of pop art feel with the tones meeting together harshly. This has less emotional impact and I think this is to do with the style. It lacks the pathos we encounter in Carrington's work.
I can see all the elements I've been trying out; just represented differently.
My course notes suggest that I look at the work of Graham Little and Elizabeth Peyton.
Graham Little (b1972)
Graham Little creates portraits which are detailed and meticulous and take a long time to complete. This image is wistful and tender - it could almost be a photograph.
This image, Tapestry Lady (2010) is executed in coloured pencil. There is a softness to the fabric which is really textural and appealing. The background is intriguing without being dominant. The tones are very similar to the models' hair.
Little's figures often resemble fashion plates. Foxglove Lady (2011) is an example.
Elizabeth Peyton (b1965)
Peyton came to prominence in the 1990's with her portrayals of friends. Most were interpretations of photographs and painted in a highly stylised way. These portraits of Liam Gallagher and John Lennon, show very youthful men, quite androgynous, but full of character and appeal.
Both of these portraits are painted from unusual and interesting angles.
Earlier I commented that I found London Tramp emotive and that has led me to think about other artists whose work affects me in the same way (and fits the critiera for this Research point).
I find Frida Kahlo 's self portraits very moving - they depict the same suffering that I see in London Tramp but in a style quite different:
Kahlo suffered a lifetime of physical ill health after childhood polio and a serious bus accident. She was in constant pain that contributed to depression. This is graphically shown in her many narcissistic self portraits. Almost all of Kahlo's work is about herself.
The Broken Column shows Kahlo at her most vulnerable. Her disintegrating body is held together with metal supports.
Most artists seem to draw or paint themselves from time to time. Some like Picasso document the aging process through self portraiture.
(1) http://carringtonart.net/?page_id=28
(2) http://www.alisonjacquesgallery.com/artists/26/works/
Graham Little creates portraits which are detailed and meticulous and take a long time to complete. This image is wistful and tender - it could almost be a photograph.
 |
| Untitled (Yellow mirror) 2014 (2) |
This image, Tapestry Lady (2010) is executed in coloured pencil. There is a softness to the fabric which is really textural and appealing. The background is intriguing without being dominant. The tones are very similar to the models' hair.
 |
| Tapestry Lady by Graham Little (2010) Coloured pencil (2) |
Little's figures often resemble fashion plates. Foxglove Lady (2011) is an example.
 |
| Foxglove Ladt by Graham Little (2011) Coloured pencil and gouache on paper (2) |
Elizabeth Peyton (b1965)
Peyton came to prominence in the 1990's with her portrayals of friends. Most were interpretations of photographs and painted in a highly stylised way. These portraits of Liam Gallagher and John Lennon, show very youthful men, quite androgynous, but full of character and appeal.
 |
| Liam by Elizabeth Peyton (1996) Ink wash and pencil (3) |
 |
| John by Elisabeth Peyton (1997) Watercolour on paper (3) |
Earlier I commented that I found London Tramp emotive and that has led me to think about other artists whose work affects me in the same way (and fits the critiera for this Research point).
I find Frida Kahlo 's self portraits very moving - they depict the same suffering that I see in London Tramp but in a style quite different:
 |
| Self portrait by Frida Kahlo (1941) (4) |
Kahlo suffered a lifetime of physical ill health after childhood polio and a serious bus accident. She was in constant pain that contributed to depression. This is graphically shown in her many narcissistic self portraits. Almost all of Kahlo's work is about herself.
 |
| Self portrait with the portrait of Dr Farill (4) |
 |
| The Broken Column by Frida Kahlo - 1944 (5) |
The Broken Column shows Kahlo at her most vulnerable. Her disintegrating body is held together with metal supports.
Most artists seem to draw or paint themselves from time to time. Some like Picasso document the aging process through self portraiture.
(1) http://carringtonart.net/?page_id=28
(2) http://www.alisonjacquesgallery.com/artists/26/works/
(3)http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php? criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A8042&page_number=5&template_id=1&sort_order=1
(4) http://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/Self-Portrait-1941.html
(4) http://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/Self-Portrait-1941.html
No comments:
Post a Comment