Saturday 3 November 2012

Red Whip

This is my latest attempt at an Amerindian based on old black and white photographs from Edward Curtis. I have adopted a different approach, specifically with regard to colour.

The Atsina, otherwise known as Gros Ventres or less flattering as `Snakes', were a branch of the algonquin-speaking tribes located in North Central Montana. At the turn of the 19th century numbers were reduced to a few hundred but have since increased substantially. Wikpedia has comprehensive information.


Atsina Brave Red Whip 1908. www.firstpeople.us/


Red Whip 16" x 12" Centenaire 140lb (300gm) not

Interpretation of the photograph was again difficult. Is his hair grey or what? It certainly looks peculiar. I decided not to get into a tangle over this and went for an impression rather than a very realistic approach. 

Colours used for the face were Cadmium Red Pale, Yellow Ochre, Cerulean. and Ultramarine Violet (Rowney PV15) for the shaded areas. There are touches of Cerulean and Raw Sienna in the hair with Perylene Maroon (Graham PR179) for the red top piece. Raw Sienna and Perylene Maroon for the shirt. Some Cadmium Orange (Maimeri PO20) and Viridian (Rowney PG18)  in the background. I tried to match complements, also alternating warm and cool..There are small amounts of white gouache in places.

Brushes used were the Da Vinci Artissimo 44 Size 2 Kolinsky and Isabey 6228's, 4, 6 and 8.






8 comments:

Ray Maclachlan Art said...

Spot on Peter. The drawing is very good, mouth right and I think you should keep on with the idea of doing impressions. Works well.

Peter Ward said...

Thanks for comments Ray. I must admit I wondered (with apprehension) how this approach might be received.

Unknown said...

I love the left side of this portrait, great line and rendition but I must confess to being put off by the right side which leaves me with the impression of a partial mask across the face to hide some damage or defect.

Peter Ward said...

I expected some adverse comment Mick given the colour rendition I decided on. I can see your point but the purpose was to try and portray the shadow side with a very cool colour like Ultramarine Violet. I'm not sure it looks like a mask. On many of these photos you get these shadow areas and it is hard to know how to portray them.

Oscar Solis said...

I really like this. I like the fact that you let the pencil through. Nicely done, Peter.

Yvonne Harry said...

Good Peter. I like this one, but maybe the shadow side needs a little more variation in tone.

Peter Ward said...

Thank you for kind comments Oscar. Difficult to know how to handle such subjects, especially from such contrasting photographs.

Peter Ward said...

Thanks for comments Yvonne. I'll look at it again,especially in view of your and Mick's comments. I generally just move on to the next one and this goes in the pile (or dustbin - or rather the recycling). Maybe a little tweak just to see the result.