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Monday, November 19, 2012

The sandal maker

The sandal maker, watercolor on Arches cp paper, 30 x 40 cm
This portrait is based on a photograph of an ancient sandal-maker (yes, ancient, just keep reading...), which I took last spring during a re-enactment at Ephesus. I like his face and his expression so much that I think I will use this photo again. It can turn into a  wise man, a Sea-wolf, or even Santa.

I like some aspects of the above painting, but I feel that the beard turned a bit flat - another reason to try it again some time.

Below is my original pencil sketch, which I then turned into the watercolor becide it. This one looks more dimensional, maybe thanks to the pencil under the paint, or perhaps because it was a sketch and I felt no pressure.







22 comments:

Sharon Whitley said...

this is wonderful Blaga - I find it difficult painting portraits in watercolour unless they're quite loose, I really like this, what colours did you use for the skin tones

Sharon Whitley said...

also how do you get photos to go side by side like that - I've tried but cant figure out how to do it!!

Blaga said...

Hi Sharon, thank you for your comment!
The colors I used for the skin tones were Indian yellow, quinacridone red and Windsor purple, all transparent colors. I decided to avoid the opaque cadmium colors, as I tend to create mud easier with them.
The two aligned pictures, oh, that's a secret! I'm not sure myself how I did it. I Left aligned the first and right aligned the second. Then somehow I managed to move them so that they stuck beside one another. They should be small enough to fit. And don't get frustrated if it doesn't work. I have tried it before unsuccessfully too:)

Beatriz Abel said...

La última acuarela es un hermoso retrato de muy delicados colores, pero los trabajos anteriores tambien tienen una espontaneidad muy valiosa

Isabelle said...

beau travail Blaga,ton croquis est particulierement reussi

Sadami said...

Hi, Blaga,
Very lovely and beautiful work. Particularly, I like the sketch. Colours are gorgeous. Your work always heartwarming that implies your wonderful personality.
Kind regards, Sadami

AK said...

I love the sketch and the subsequent watercolor. The colors are more vivid and warm.

Rita Vaselli said...

Dear Blaga, your talent for portrait is great! We met at the portrait of your father and that side of your painting is very special! A deep feeling through images, something that comes from your heart and go up to my heart.
High technical skill combined with great sensibility.Big Hug,Rita.

Judy said...

I agree with Rita, you have a great talent for portraits, Blaga! The colors and depth in the face are amazing!

Jane said...

Oh gosh Blaga, really well done. I can see why you were struck by this face, it is indeed interesting, love the three versions it with a preference for the one next to the sketch. xx

Blaga said...

Thank you, Beatriz, I liked the freshness of the colors on the final version, that's why I decided to stop there, at the expense of some depth and texture.

Merci, Isabelle! Je suis contente du croquis aussi.

Thank you, Sadami! Well, it was easy to charm people with portraits of a cute little girl. I wondered what an ancient man would do for them ;)

I agree, Asit, I liked that too and thought I can improve it. But I should have been more brave with the values in the large portrait. Well, now I have excuses to try it again :) Thank you!

You are so sweet, Rita! Your words warm my heart in turn :) I know I have much to improve in my portrait painting, but I do enjoy doing them very much, which must be a good starting point.

I remember you saying this before, Judy, and I appreciate it so much. I enjoy painting portraits, maybe because of the challenge, or maybe because of the big effect that each brush-stroke has on the expression of the face. There's a lot to learn and it is fun!

Thank you, Jane! It is certainly an interesting face and a great subject to paint. Or maybe we are simply programmed to like an old man with white beard when Christmas approaches ;)

Laura said...

Magnifics portraits, Blaga- Congratulations!

Aquarell said...

Wundervolle Arbeit. Kompliment;-)

Floriana Quaini said...

Ciao Bloga,
it is a very interesting face and you give to the eyes a "forza e vitalità"
I think that a portrait is like a write page of a book and your is a
beatifun page!
Ciao, abbracci, Floriana

Merce Ares said...

Hola Blaga. Tienes una gran facilidad para realizar de esta manera tan bellos retratos, el colorido tenue, la expresión del rostro y el entorno hacen de todos tus trabajos unas obras magnificas. Un gran saludo!!

Tito said...

Beautiful portraits Blaga! I like also the last one. You have special talent for these subjects! Ciao!

Sonia Aguiar said...

Querida Blaga. Son unos retratos muy bien realizados. ¡Mi enhorabuena!

Blaga said...

Gracias, Laura!

Danke, Janina!

I like your metaphor, Floriana. Thank you for the comment!

Muchas gracias, Mercedes!

Thank you, Tito!

Muchas gracias, Sonia!

renate said...

Hello Blaga:) Your portrait is wonderful. Such a nice expression on the face! The colors are wonderful and the beard is not flat at all. I know people with such beards:) Great job! Have a nice weekend!

JANE MINTER said...

blaga you can see you enjoy portraits and are learning lots from your work .

irinapictures said...

I like your courage and energy to learn so much. Great work!

Maria Emilia Moreira said...

Olá Blaga!
Este é um trabalho difícil, mas que está muito bem bem conseguido. a expressão,as rugas,a barba...enfim, gostei.Um abraço.
Maria Emília