Our VERY Early Portraits

Alexandra Tyng · 10-11-2007, 10:48 AM

Since we were talking in the Moderators' section about how our early childhood drawings are in some ways strong indicators of our later work, I thought it would be fun to create a thread where we can post our early drawings. I'm hoping to unearth some early drawings of famous artists, too.

Please share your wonderful first portraits or figure drawings!

And if you find some by famous artists, please post them!

Here are two of my happy faces (with very small bodies) from a drawing book marked by my mother "21-22 months."

Enzie Shahmiri · 10-11-2007, 11:25 AM

Alexandra, this will be fun! I do wonder though at what age does the ability to observe what is around us, with the ability to record it on paper actually happen?

We lived in Iran when the revolution broke out in the late 70's and had to leave many thing behind. This one survived in one of the photo albums we saved and was done when I was around 5 or 6 years old.

Please note the attention to detail, the figure is accessorized after all! Early thoughts of composition are apparent in the use of the branch, it just so leads the viewers eye into the drawing. LOL

Alexandra Tyng · 10-11-2007, 06:42 PM

Enzie, I do see some indication of your mature work in this: the love of bold color, the definite edges, and a strong sense of pattern and texture. And It's a charming drawing, by the way.

Sharon Knettell · 10-11-2007, 07:40 PM

Oh my GOD!

Bellbottoms!

You were a fashionista at 5!

Enzie Shahmiri · 10-11-2007, 07:58 PM

I know, I noticed that too and had to chuckle!
Sharon, where is your early work?

Alexa didn't you have other early work as well? Drag it in here!

Allan Rahbek · 10-14-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng

Please share your wonderful first portraits or figure drawings!

And if you find some by famous artists, please post them!."

I don't believe that I have any record of my own early artistic activity, but I found some that beats the most.

Look at some of the charcoal drawings by the Norwegian artist Halfdan Egedius 1877 - 1899.
The first one is him self drawing his father and the second is of his little brother Ambrosius, those were drawn in 1888 when he was 11years old.

Alexandra Tyng · 10-14-2007, 08:08 PM

Incredible, Allan! Thanks for finding these.