Nicolae Grigorescue

This was the week two focus for Sharon Tomlinson's lessons. Initially I wasn't especially inspired by the choice of portrait. It is extremely dark and difficult to work out the placement of the headscarf etc.I'm not keen on how the right eye is obscured and it is too impressionistic for my tastes.

Grigorescu Girl in Scarf

But I had a go....... I sketched it first and actually learnt alot from the process. The nose is relatively short , the face and lips full, giving it a youthful feel.
I used artistic licence with the headscarf and the eye! I drew a type of hajib I've seen some of my younger pupils wearing that is easy for them to put on. I think this portrait has good contrasting tones and was more pleased with it than I expected to be!

Grigorescu inspired sketch

I think she appears grumpy rather than pensive.....

I tried to stay with Sharon T's Acrylic version, making myself put away my other mediums as I need to develop my ability to apply glazes and work this way. I produced a
painting of which I was really proud, trying to make more of a scarf but failing miserably with cloth folds!
I liked the head tilt and the features and was pleased with the muted tones chosen, although not as dark and abstract as the original.

My girl in a headscarf