Two Italian Princes
 

Long ago, Dalidaa with her warm voice used to sing "Gigi, l'amoroso"
"il

That is the portrait of his brother ...
very close though different, is n't it ?

I took the photos in june and had to deliver the portrait for Christmas.
When I met the grandmother in september, she had a hard time to tell which one was Charles and which one was Alexis.
It was easier on the photos tooken at the end of the day, but nearly impossible on those I had taken before lunch.

My little Prince got one of these children's decease, a scarlatina fever. Nothing really serious but his parents was young and worried a lot. ;)

So here are the charming Italian Princes, side by side, on the portrait.

Look at the differences of character. the further one (Charles) is projecting his smile and his personality towards the person he is looking at... and the closest one ( Alexis ) is drinking in to someone's every word.

A bit of a lull in the Drawings replies. Perhaps spring fever has folks looking wistfully out their windows at nuances of green and mauve and ocher next to receding snowlines, instead of staring at computer monitors with their 25 million colors, or so. (I

Hi Cyrille,

I am sorry I missed this last week as well. I agree with Steven; you have a gorgeous drawing and composition, and you certainly captured the life, joy, and subtle individuality in your very handsome twin subjects. This was no easy accomplishment that you did so well.

I also echo Steven that something significant seems missing and flattened in the extremely pale tonality of their countenances. I also suspect it's your photograph presented here that washes out all the highest values. I copied your photo into Photoshop to have a better look at it, and have detected there is a lot of subtle modeling of forms in very high key values, that became lost when you photographed this. Please, is there any way you can re-photograph this to better capture all the range of values? Your drawing is worth a closer look.

Sincerely,

Garth

I ditto both Steve and Garth.

Your expertise in displaying the subtle differences in the boys is captivating and well done. One seems to project while the other soaks up.

I also would like to add that I have some experience in manipulating a drawing in photoshop to retain the true valoes (true as possible) by adjusting the brightness/contrast as well as other simple maneuvers.

I hope too that you have access to photoshop so you can present your fine work accurately (and also so we can see it).

Handsome men with flowers and diamonds flowing out of their lips :D

I understand why there are so many ladies addict to "portraitartist" ...

I was surprised not to have a single comment...
days passing by, I thought this drawing was perhap's not worth it .... :(

But comments seem to be like French cheeses or Bordeaux wines,
the more you wait, the better they are :D

Next time, I 'll wait with more pleasure each day, more pride too ...
So thanks to you two..

There was no light that day. A kind of june luminous but cloudy day, no direct sun. The kids had really black hair, a shiny metallic black like a crow, and very delicate white skin... just Italian Princes !

I lost the original Ektachrome (how do you call that ? a 4x5" slide ?)
so I scanned an invitation card printed from that slide...
So I lost the lightest value at least twice...

and on my scan there was HB strokes on the cheeks and didn't like them so I changed the contrast to hide them a bit... yes shame on me
But "

Hi Cyrille,

I don't know how I missed this one too.

What beautiful boys you have portrayed. Everybody has already given good advices, my suggestion would be a simple and soft background, it would help the beholder see the values you are about to produce.

Cyrille, I love to work with pencil. My sketch books are fool of drawings from time spent in Florence. The portrait of the two boys is outstanding ! I visited your website and I can relate to your passion and the care that you take in every one of your master peaces. Such lovely drawings, paintings and such stylish representations of their settings and world. Hats off my friend. Such stile found only in Europe and in the lives of but a few that strayed from the fold and found a home abroad.

I see your son is quite talented as well!

Please message me the next time you post something. I am sure I don't want to miss it.

I must visit Bordeaux soon if only for the chocolates. mmmmmm

Best wishes,

Thanks Mischa
It's my drama these paintings are not universal..
they are very European or perhaps just very French ... not very French ..
just very French aristocraty

could be British too... I'm still waiting for HM to call me :)
It's my task of next week to find the right word to write to her ...
no kidding

I didn't know that there was a chocolate factory in Bordeaux ... have you seen that the picardian shepperd was a commission of Mrs Marcolini ? Marcolini is supposed to be the new Genius of chocolate...


Claudemir

having a background or not... both are interesting
the background changes all the feelings, it could be the subject of a whole book.
So in that case I prefered them without
Nevertheless thanks for your comments

cyrille

Cyrille, I laughed and laughed as I read about the experience at the Marcolini home. I am sure you are much much better now at keeping your wise comments to your self while considering what a client wishes. O well, sad but we all have our moments.

Last year I flew into Paris. Rented a nice room and spent some seven days walking around the city visiting galleries and art museums. From there I rented a car and headed to La Rochelle, the one time home of the artist William Bouguereau. From there visited a number of places while heading towards the Riviera. Bordeaux was where I stopped and while strolling in the downtown area, I managed to spot some chocolates in a window. The shop was about to close but the patrons were kind enough to serve me with some wonderful chocolates. I bought a small box of 20 assorted chocolates and later while km away I began to hate my self for not purchasing more.

O well. Now I look forward to the day to visit France again if nothing but for the chocolates.

Cyrille,

These are quite nice, I agree! They show confident and disciplined line work, and excellent form. I would like to see some of the strength shown in the hair in the shading of the drawing. It is possible to use bolder shade lines, and not distract from the drawing. The shading could afford much bolder lines without any distraction at all. In fact, the hair attracts the eye by the beauty of the lines. The line work you did is great, but a bit timid in the shading. It is as though we think, when we draw a shade line, that it will detract if too bold. When in fact, a little boldness of line only adds strength and balance of a drawing such as this.

I appreciate the use of linework in your drawing, rather than just rubbing in the shadows. It is more difficult, and requires discipline and practice, but well worth the effort.