Portraits, Symbols and Story Telling

MATERIALS

• 1 x matt board (81cm by 56cm)

• Various Faber Castel Polychromos pencils: 101 White, 103 Ivory, 120 Ultramarine, 123 Fuchsia, 129 Pink Madder Lake, 132 Light Flesh, 138 Violet, 146 Smart Blue, 156 Cobalt Green, 170 Chrome Oxide Green, 182 Brown Ochre, 185 Naples Yellow, 189 Cinnamon, 191 Pompeian Red, 199 Black, 219 Deep Scarlet Red, 231 Cold Grey, 278 May Green, 280 Burnt Umber, Cold Grey II, Cold Grey VI, Earth Green.

• Photo of sitter (in my case, my neighbour Dorothy)

• Graphite pencil

• Eraser

Whenever I create a portrait I first study the sitter, the person I’m doing the portrait of. Talking over a cuppa or perhaps eating and making conversation, I’m learning who the sitter is. I may take many photos of them during the study process; however I make countless mental notes and look for the individual’s unique spark.

We all have distinctive twitchers or habits