Portrait Modelling

Last day today, so much needs doing, not enough time. I tried not to think about this when modelling so as not to rush and ruin previous work.

We continued to work round the whole head, marking a strip from the bottom of the nose up this time. Again, not much to say on the modelling front as we were working generally this time, focusing on small areas and moving on every ten minutes.

Kim spoke a lot about studying portraits, look at classical and contemporary works. Ask questions about the decisions you see, be critical and apply this criticism to your own work. Find artist that inspire you, and do this with their work, then work on your own practice and see how you can ‘be yourself’ (the hardest thing to be).

While unhappy with my work, I think it’s good enough to work from. The only thing I can do is practice, so give me a few years and hopefully I’ll be happy with my modelling. I need to be steady with my process, arriving at the surface slowly and being careful not to make the modelling too heavy, forcing myself to carve back.

Kim also gave me some sound advice on my maquette for the Rising one. I will do a series of drapery studies in different styles and try my best to understand these. Only then will I think about how I will do my own drapery. Kim is consistently the most helpful, engaging and encouraging teacher, which makes this third year project so exciting. Being the first time I’ve had freedom and been encouraged to pursue a more ‘fine art’ practice.