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markstewart — Rob
Published: 2013-03-25 16:38:51 +0000 UTC; Views: 1945; Favourites: 17; Downloads: 0
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Description
Graphite on A4 smooth Bristol.I finally have permission to post this piece i did during January of this year for a long term client. It is of his father who passed away after a short battle with cancer. I was commissioned to do two pieces of work .. one of him and his wife for the clients mother and one on his own for Rob's mother. I was asked to use a reference photo which was a personal favourite of his wife and it was certainly a challenge as it was very badly bleached from years in direct sunlight and his face was barely larger than my fingernail. Thankfully both parties were very happy so i was relieved to say the least.
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Comments: 35
To get this out of the photo you describe is literally amazing. I turned a case down just recently because of the photo quality and after reading this I now feel incredibly inadequate! Brilliant work Mark.
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Thanks Kris, i learned that it's worth using bad references every now and then for practice because you can't avoid mobile phone camera shots any more and jobs don't come along as often as i would like .. but it wasn't easy .. mind you this was my second attempt at the same reference which helped a lot.
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I agree, a portrait commission artist HAS to be able to work from a bad ref photo or not do any work. Just accepted a case for another dog portrait, I get the photo emailed to me and cringe as I open it - the photo resolution/focus is absolutely brilliant, what a nice feeling that is what that happens!
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I think this is terrific Mark! I know how it is to try and work from a bad reference... I love the life you've put into this piece he just really shines
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Thanks Kevin, this one was a little easier because i learned from the first drawing i did from the same reference.
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Sometimes that can make things easier
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I can't speak to the likeness, but this is a lovely drawing! I love how his eyes seem to shine.
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Thank you, yes this one was all about getting those eyes right .. once i had that everything else just fell into place.
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Must be a great feeling that you a good result from a bad reference! It looks really good!
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Thanks, yes indeed. Feels great .. mind you this was the second one which was always going to be slightly better than the first but they were challenging for sure. Plus i also saw them both framed which i don't get to see that often which was nice
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you have done a wonderful job of this and I am sure the family will treasure it.
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Thank you, they loved it. I love that feeling ... such a high after all that pressure of expectation plus a deadline too.
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well I'm not surprised they loved it. Your work always has such an immaculate quality that one could never achieve with a photo. Your drawing skills are sublime!
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Thank you, you're too kind
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This is a lovely memorial for the family and it looks fantastic! Especially with something so challenging to draw from.
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Awesome work 
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Cheers Jon, Great to have a challenge every now and again. Best of luck mate
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Very nice work! I'm sure your client is so proud of this.
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Thanks .. that's all that counts so yes i was pleased they liked it and a few tears were shed .. you do the best with what your given to work with and i definitely needed to dig deep here and i was very relieved to say the least
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