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"Great Grandfather" oils.

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PogArt Ti

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Hi I'm new in here. I've just finished first portraiture of a soldier... Actually it's second 😉, "Jack the Border Collie" is FIRST. I'm just starting with oils for first time since 2019 - so it's been few years of a breake unfortunately, and recently I'm making my first shy steps... I started practicing graphite drawing in 2015, and had been experimenting with random mediums since. I found oils most challenging and impressive. I'm self-taught hobbyist, based in UK. Please provide constructive criticism if you can, I'll be very appreciated for! Thank you. "Great Grandfather" •W&N Griffin Alkyd oils •Pastelmat paper (acrylic gesso primed) •size 4"x6" 

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by PogArt AsS'er

With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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This could have been my grandfather - Colour Sergeant Wallace George Crooks, 1895 to 1978.  They were all SO young, and sent over the top to die in filth and barbed wire - obviously, my grandad survived, but like so many of them, would never talk about it; at least two of his brothers did not survive - so far as we know: we'd never have learned that from him.  

PogArt Ti

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Thank you for sharing your story Robert, and keen words. My workmate is collecting items for his Family Tree. This soldier was his ancestor, and the only reference left is faded cardboard drawing. I wanted to please my friend by making this painting. I did confess, that I'm just practicing, and this portrait is not looking too good - hopefully my friend don't mind me... Thank you Robert again.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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You've caught the spirit, Arthur - that's really all we can hope to do, when the accuracy is denied us - we can still summon their souls, for want of a better word.  My father was a very difficult man to understand: I never knew why, until others told me he'd been through the loathesomness of Bergen-Belsen, and Neuengamme - I could not have known that; he never spoke of it; it was a permanent barrier between us.  My grandfather never spoke of the Somme: my father very rarely spoke of his career in the 8th army - and certainly not of this part of it.  Our and subsequent generations have been spared so much - so much more than we can ever really comprehend.  

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by Robert Jones, NAPA

PogArt Ti

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You've caught the spirit, Arthur - that's really all we can hope to do
Robert Jones, NAPA on 23/10/2022 19:10:12
I thought I did reply, but it seems my age starts showing through 😅 I'm appreciate your keen words, and wonderful story tale! Thank you Robert!