It was bound to happen, but I didn't think it would happen so soon. I amazed myself at the previous portraits I did of fictional characters and myself. That must have been why I kept putting off painting a portrait of Gary. A portrait on clay with stains and slips as my palette.
What I did doesn't resemble him at all. It's someone, but it's not him. I'm totally frustrated. My brush went haywire. The portrait face is harsh and closed and Gary's is open and free.
While I work in clay, Gary is outside picking weeds in the yard. If he doesn't get the sandspur seeds now they'll spread. I've put the portrait in a closet to dry. Perhaps it's Gary frustrated at the sandspurs. Ha. The eyes should be rounder, the nose thinner, the lips thinner, the hair smoother; I'll try another one. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
I always say in pottery the first 500 tries don't count.Keep at it.
ReplyDeletegetting a likeness is difficult enough with ink or paint - so much more difficult in clay. Don't know about 500 tries but certainly a few. Have you tried a portrait of Gary on paper first? (btw Gary is the name I chose for my eldest son and he is a very caring person too).
ReplyDeleteHi Dennis, thanks, I'm not sure I have room for 500 wall hangings around here, Ha.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, thanks, yes I start with a sketch and then use the sketch as a jumping off point for the clay, but the slip isn't as easy to control on a paint brush as a pen or pencil is and with pencil I can erase. Ha.
Hello Linda:
ReplyDeleteAre you not being a little hard on yourself? Take the portrait from the cupboard and allow Gary to see. We think that he may well be hugely delighted. If not, then....!!
I can see him in your portrait, keep going Linda.judy
ReplyDeletei definitely see his likeness... you just haven't captured his spirit yet. i am amazed at your clay/slip portraits... i wouldn't even know where to begin.
ReplyDeleteI use the word "resemble" more loosely when dealing with art.
ReplyDeleteI think it does. ~Mary
Hi Jane and Lance, thanks, I did show it to Gary and he said his nose wasn't big enough. Ha.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy, thanks, I plan on some revisions, thanks for your encouragement.
Hi Michele, thanks, at my ripe old age I'll try anything. Well most anything anyway. Ha.
Hi Mary, thanks, I like the way you think. By the way I read your post about the child at the SPCA and I happened upon a similar incident at the Dali Museum today and availed myself the opportunity to speak to the mother who wasn't happy but the child was.