Evie by Gerard

I have  had the painting of my grandaughter Evie, aged 8, framed by the Meltone Gallery in Bath. This was by the Dutch artist Gerard Hendriks who painted her from a photograph that appeared on my blog, He generously gave me the completed painting, not even allowing me to pay the cost of carriage. Although never having met Gerard I have come to know him a little through Facebook and as a person his statement that he `likes to make people happy' says it all. Forces are at work to try and persuade him to come to the UK for a workshop in either this year or next, and if this does materialize I'll certainly aim to be there if at all possible. 

`Evie' by Gerard Hendriks approx. 15" x 11" Hahnemuhle 600gsm

Regular readers of the blog will know I did a major feature on Gerard and his paintings in August 2012. In the same month I posted the story of how the painting came about, `Evie by Gerard Hendriks'. 

Latest Attempt at Evie

Even prior to the wonderful portrait of Evie painted by Gerard Hendriks, I had started another due to some fair criticism and my own dissatisfaction with my previous study. I had basically only completed the drawing and when I saw Gerards version, it gave considerable food for thought, although I never contemplated attempting to rigidly copy his approach. For one thing I couldn't and another that the Charles Reid way has been my template for developing portraiture. Even here Charles says you shouldn't just try and copy the way he paints. I've learned a lot from Charles and there is a lot to be learned from Gerard . A little bird has told me that there is a possibility Gerard may come to the UK for a workshop(s) in either 2013 or 2014 but this is still at a very early stage. I've expressed an interest and been promised I'll be kept informed. At my age I hope this isn't too long delayed!

 The initial drawing.

I did make some changes as I went along, especially on the left facing side. Often I look at the drawing (and painting) after a few hours and realise some things are not quite right so try and correct.

 Evie - 15" x 11" Fabriano Artistico 90lb Not

I'm not unhappy with this. I realise the `rose' is a little too large compared to the actual photograph. I can see another possible criticism but I'm not going to labour it. Overall I like it. As Charles says faults are part of it.

The features and skin colours were combinations of Cadmium Red Pale, Raw Sienna and Cerulean. Some Cobalt or Ultramarine added to get the darker areas around the eyes.The hair mainly various mixes of Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna with some Cyan Blue (Maimeri PB15:3). 

My usual brushes, the Isabeys and Da Vinci's.

Evie by Gerard Hendriks.

My last post but one was a feature on Gerard Hendriks the  Dutch  master watercolourist. In the course of preparing it I contacted Gerard, who was most helpful in answering requests for information.  A few days after publishing the feature I received an e-mail with attached image from Gerard. To my amazement it read " I also tried to paint Evie. I do not know Evie. It is more difficult painting from a photo if I do not know the girl". The photograph used was the recent one on which I based my own poor effort. I immediately replied saying how delighted and astonished - indeed honoured - he had taken the trouble to do this.  Gerard replied that as I liked it he would send it to me but would do some further work first. Another e-mail arrived with the definitive image.

Evie - 57cm x 38cm Hannemuhle Leonardo 300lb (600gsm)

Arriving home this afternoon, after a trip out with Evie, who is with us today and tomorrow, what should have arrived but the parcel, left by the delivery van in the care of a neighbour.

I still find myself somewhat bemused by what has happened and I can't imagine many other artists doing something similar. He has refused any recompense, even for the carriage costs, saying he "likes to make people happy". I was a fan before, an even bigger one now and can only repeat my thanks. What a generous man! The painting will go to a quality framer in Bath and remain a treasured family possession. Thank you once again Gerard. 

Evie

I have made several attempts to produce good paintings of my grandchildren with so far mixed results. Several good artists say children are the most difficult to paint and they certainly aren't easy. I have already produced two paintings of Evie and she proudly displays them in her bedroom, but the deafening silence from both parents and grandmother makes me think they aren't that impressed. In mitigation I am trying to paint a `Charles Reid' type of interpretation where absolute realism is not the aim but this is what most people like to see. Another problem with painting children, at least to me, is making them look older than they actually are.

This was my guide photograph

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

I don't put this up as a definitive effort by any means. I think slow improvement is visible compared to the others. She thinks it great by the way but then she would! I followed CR's advice in stressing one eye over the other. I have messed around with the left side and could have done it better initially. 

I first made a careful pencil drawing using an 07 mechanical Pentel. For the skin tones I used Cadmium Red with a little Yellow Ochre. Where I wished to darken I added Cerulean or Cobalt Blue Deep. I concentrated on the eyes then the nose and mouth using slightly darker colour, where necessary stressing the inner eye. There is some Hookers Green (Graham) in the corners. When completely dry I added more colour - for instance on the right facing cheek. I also did this with the lips. I tried to do the eyes very carefully in order to maintain a good resemblance. Evie recognized herself immediately. 

 The colours in the eyes included very diluted Raw Umber. The hair is essentially Ultramarine Blue and some Burnt Sienna, stressing the blue. Evie has very dark - almost black - hair. I used Cadmium Orange for the clothing to compliment the blue.

Brushes used were the Rosemary series 33 Size 12 and also the Rosemary (ABS) Kolinsky mop Size1. The Isabey size 6 also featured.