mercredi 9 juin 2010

2 books, 12 portraits

 New books, for a change... Actually I have read another one since but haven't had the time to draw it yet.
Those two were fantastic. I'm not sure the first one has been translated in English yet. French title is Battements d'ailes, Ali di Babbo in Italian, from Milena Agus (author from Sardaigne). It's a small book, magical, poetical, funny, strange, with wonderful characters and a very original voice.
 The other one, I couldn't let go, and "ate" very fast : ) ! The third angel, by Alice Hoffman.

 I really want to read all their other books now.

I've been asked how many books I read a month, I don't know, it depends. Four, five, six, not counting those I read very slowly because they make me work, (personnal development books, for example), or the illustrated books... I read fast, and I need to read as much as I need to breath. I read a lot more when I was young - I had four library cards ^^ !

These portraits, I copied from a wonderful book called "Si tous les enfants du monde" (If all the children in the world). The girls are from Espana and Guinée Equatoriale and the boys from Haïti and Malta.
Two more children from the book, little girl from Cambodge, looking up, little boy from Ivory Coast (he's much cuter in reality, I didn't manage to get the cuteness on paper, he's very small, my version looks older...)
Men from Parker Fitzgerald and Arte te tra flickr streams.
A young woman from David Urbanke flickr stream - my version is not as beautiful as she is in the photo... For some reason, my version looks a bit like my grandmother (must be the sad expression and thin neck - my grandmother was from Flanders and not beautiful at all...)
A young girl from Kazakhtan (and I made her look older, once more...)
A woman from Tibet seen on Falsalama flickr stream, and a woman seen on Internet, random search, no name.

I find it very hard to draw the small children, and the women. The more cute and/or beautiful they are, the more difficult.
And, also, people showing their teeth! Much harder!

I haven't had the time to admire anyone's blog but I'm going to get to it now!
 This weekend I had the first year final exam for the course of Sophrology I'm following. I had a little problem with the time, almost didn't manage to finish... But I think it went well.
It's a fantastic course, I'm very glad I'm doing it. Hopefully I'll graduate next year and be able to begin practicing!

11 commentaires:

Alex a dit…

Another masterful work on the book covers. And my oh my! So many awesome expressions captured too =)

Sandra a dit…

The books look so interesting. The many portraits are well done.

Anonyme a dit…

i always enjoy your book portraits - and now your people portraits too!
Glad the exam went well. I shall have to look up 'Sophrology'to see what you are going to be doing!

Anonyme a dit…

Tes couvertures de livres sont superbes. C'est toujours fascinant de voir un dessin dans un dessin.
Tes portraits aussi, tres beaux, et de les voir en série, c'est interessant, cela donne un ensembke tres dynamique. Les dents, oui c'est dur à rendre.
Je croise les doigts pour ton exam...

Unknown a dit…

Oh, I do like the way marancat put that: book portraits! And yours are always great. And you're doing great on your people portraits. Teeth definitely make things harder! I was once told that you should only hint at the teeth so you don't overpower the face with them. I sometimes forget until it's too late. These are very good!

Dan Kent a dit…

I agree - the cuter, the more difficult! (Hmmm, that may be true in life too.) Anyway, I think your sketches are great!

Timaree a dit…

You have been very busy. Lots of sketching and painting. Love your musicians painting. You did really well with that reference photo. I think you are doing really well even with the kids and women.

Anonyme a dit…

Your book covers are just wonderful! You are doing a great job on the portraits.

Anonyme a dit…

Your drawings are SPECTACULAR!! I love all your portraits and your books too. I'm in awe! I too love to read- but don't think I could keep up with you- what would we do without books?
I hadn't heard of Sophrology before- so I looked it up- sounds fascinating.
You have a wonderful spirit- it comes through.

K a dit…

Beautiful book covers. Glad you are such a big reader. Nice people sketches too. I find that when drawing children, don't shade too much, or it ages them. Teeth, well, I'm with you there - they are difficult, aren't they?

Ann a dit…

Wonderful drawings - all of them! And thanks for the book reviews too!