There is nothing more compelling than a human face contorted in emotion. It tugs at the muscles of one's own face, and draws one into empathetic attunement with the subject. Laughter begets laughter, sorrow evokes sympathy.
This sketch was inspired by a photograph shot in 1987 by Elisabeth Sunday. I had purchased the greeting card it was printed on in about 1996, along with several others that had images of hers. It was titled, "Laughing", and was the reflection of two boys from the Nototo Mountains in northern Kenya, observing their own images in a distorted mirror Elisabeth had brought with her. I found that card again recently, cleaned the dust off and played with the subject matter on paper with my Derwent Inktense pencils and acrylic paints. The painted background has a slight copper metallic sheen to it.
You captured the emotion well. I giggled when I looked closely at their faces. The elongation of their bodies creates such graceful lines. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joyce. I am so enjoying sketching humans that are living their unique story. Did you get together a sketching group yet?
DeleteNo not yet. I have some mono prints in a show that opens tomorrow night, and I am hoping I can make some connections there. I will let you know if that proves fruitful.
ReplyDeleteI checked out the site, and didn't find the print and furniture show up on their exhibitions page. Will they wait until tomorrow to post the new show? I hope it goes well, and you both have a great time! Your work is awesome!
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