Yulia

David Draime · 02-21-2005, 06:15 PM

I decided to take Jimmie Arroyo's lead and post this here.

My first stab at pastels. Come to think of it, it's my first children's portrait! Yulia is the very special, 4 year-old daughter of a dear friend of mine in Ukraine. I took this picture on election day there, at one of the precincts while her mother was voting. She was just so cute, all bundled up like that. She's a very happy, very funny (but she doesn't know it - yet) little girl. I just smile every time I think of her.

I probably bit off more than I could chew. My goal in this one was just to see if I could get the pastels under control. I was afraid if I experimented too much, I'd end up with a muddy mess and resolve to never go near the stuff again. I'm pretty happy with it as a rendering - though I still have little issues with it - partly because, again, it wasn't the best reference photo.

The background gave me fits - I almost tore it up. When I took the photo, Yulia was sitting on a bench in front of this very colorful tapestry. The sun was setting and the light was streaming in through a stain glass window (!!!....I know...) onto her cute litte face. It made for a nice photo, but...I tried to do the tapestry and it was horrendous. In exasperation, I just blacked out the background. It looked much better.

As far as materials - I don't have a clue what I'm doing. If I worked on the background any more I'd expect holes to appear.

Anyway, please tell me what you think - pro and con - critiques welcome! Right now I can't "see" it. I'm cross-eyed.

Jimmie Arroyo · 02-21-2005, 06:27 PM

David, I knew you were gonna come up with something great. Very smooth transition of colors, almost like pencils.

I think the background looks just fine, and the rest does'nt look like you were having any problems.

Typical questions- Size, paper, brands of pastels used etc,etc etc...?

Again,

Marvin Mattelson · 02-21-2005, 07:59 PM

Forget the technical stuff. This image is both powerful and haunting.

Garth Herrick · 02-21-2005, 08:18 PM

David,

BEAUTIFUL! This is definitely pro all the way to me. You have such a stunning and compelling portrait of a beautiful child that I am still trying to catch my breath after you took it away! I love everything about this. She seems to speak volumes for the revolution in her midst. Her glow against the background fading to inky blackness is powerful, yet perfectly harmonious to me. These colors work well together. I don't know how you acheive such a natural feeling precision and finish. Wow!

Because of you (and Jimmie), I am afraid there will be another greater renaissance of pastels, this year. The rest of us had better learn how to use them too, lest we be blown away in the wake of your dust!

Garth

Terri Ficenec · 02-21-2005, 08:49 PM

Gorgeous David!
I just love how you handled the light and shadow, and reflected light on her delicate little face.

David Draime · 02-21-2005, 09:13 PM

??Really??!

Thanks, guys. I'm kind of blown away by your comments - delighted, but ...I guess I'm not seeing what your seeing. Maybe I'm still in "microscopic" mode, analyzing every little flaw and assuming everyone will see them like a billboard. Or maybe I just need more confidence....

Jimmie, thanks a bunch. It's 18 X 24" on Twinrocker "Tatiana" paper (pretty thin stuff and I gave it a beating) Various pastels - Rembrandt, Great American along w/ Pitt and Cretaclor pastel pencils. Expensive hobby.

Marvin, your words are a breath of fresh air. After reading all the threads concerning pastels - binders, substrates, fugitive, non-fugitive, fixatives.....my head was spinning. I know it's important, but... it was like: "I just wanna make a drawing." Thank you very much!

Garth, I think you're being overly generous...but, it sure sounds good!! Thank you so much. Your reponse makes me want to do another one - so I can see what Garth will have to say about it!! I've been under the weather lately and somewhat depressed. Your kind response has really cheered me up.

Chris Saper · 02-21-2005, 09:23 PM

Geez, David,

Your portrait is just beautiful! Geez! (I said that already) I think that anyother choice of background would have diminished the very powerful impact of this painting.

"Holes?" What surface did you use? Try the Wallis paper, you would need a drill to actually put holes is the stuff...

David Draime · 02-21-2005, 09:29 PM

Thanks Terri! (I didn't mean to make it sound like you're one of the "guys"

You should know that I've taken a good deal of inspiration from your paintings of children. Your modelling is sensitive and solid, composition is always well-balanced, but it's the expression of the children - that you somehow capture - that is always so compelling and always just right. That's the "look" that I'm after.

Julie Deane · 02-21-2005, 09:46 PM

OHmigod, David - this is gorgeous!

Rob Sullivan · 02-21-2005, 10:19 PM

Good gravy - your first stab, you say? Well, to expand on that idiom, you not only stabbed it good, you slew the Dragon and took the hoarded treasure!

This is gorgeous, no mistake. The textures, the atmosphere, the expressiveness, the lovely warmth of it all... I could go on, but I prefer to look at the picture!