Thursday, February 24, 2011

"My Man, Aidan"


I generally stay far, far, away from even attempting drawings, sketches, or especially, paintings, of family members, because everyone just says, "it doesn't look like him/her," and turns the conversation elsewhere; but I couldn't resist the temptation on this one.

The picture I took of Aidan, six, at McDonald's caught my eye with the way the shadows and the so-so-serious pose he struck for me, so I did a watercolor sketch of him earlier (I think it is probably posted on this blog back a few weeks), and it was clear that the family, including myself, didn't really think it looked a whole like him; but it might in another ten years, or more. And then, "what's for dinner tonight?"

So, anyway, I got to looking at it again and decided since I've been doing all these funky Modigliani Knock-Offs (my term), I ought to give him another try. Now, no one in the family, especially his mother, my daughter, has seen this yet, but I think it looks alot more like him than the watercolor sketch did. Not perfect, closer. "So what do you think of the unrest in the Middle East?"

I had a real problem with his left shoulder, the one on the right, as he is actually just slightly leaning forward and that shoulder is closer than the other. It just looks deformed here. Oh well.....onward and upward. "Do you watch American Idol?"

acrylic on 12x16 canvas panel

5 comments:

  1. As a matter of fact I do watch Idol and enjoy it most times. ;o)
    If you try this portrait again, try lowering his eyes a bit and see if that helps. Usually young people's eyes are lower than adults. And that shoulder....well it is a bit low maybe.
    I'm a great fan of your Modigliani work!!!

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  2. Such a precious drawing! =) your style speaks really strong here, and wow you've got grandsons?!!! :D

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  3. I did a portrait of my grandmother, which everyone said looked just like her, and the first words out of her mouth were, "That is TERRIBLE!". I rarely sketch family anymore!

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  4. I love those vibrant colors and the folds in the fabric! wow!

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  5. This is awesome! Great work and great souvenir for you and Aidan!

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