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Using the Zorn palette for the first time
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Message
Posted
I've just come across Carlo Dolci and have been looking at his work and reading about him. I came across one of his portraits that I just loved, I might have a crack at it for my next practice. If it turns out and I don't know if it will, you will see it on the gallery at some point.
Edited
by Denise Cat
Posted
I know you all must be fed up of me putting these on but I'm always so unsure of what I'm doing. I started this today, I know it's all flat, I've only sketched it in, I thought, get the paste on and then spend the time on the wall paper. The face is much larger than any I've ever done before and I know I've got loads of work to do on it, I just wanted to get the sketch in today. I know everything looks hard and flat at the moment but does it look ok to begin with as far as a sketch to go forward with do you think. I won't post it again until I finish, promise.
Edited
by Denise Cat
Posted
I'm not getting fed up with your sketches and experiments at all!
This doesn't look hard and flat, it looks like a developing sketch, from an interesting angle, and the basis for a very strong painting. Take your time with it, don't neglect the red and yellow elements of this palette too much in favour of the black and white, and remember that features are usually rather rounder than we're inclined to think - especially noses: some people have beaks, others stubs - plenty of variation; and if it's a likeness you're looking for, I think the most telling part of a portrait tends to be the mouth - stuff about eyes being 'the window of the soul' are largely romanticized bunkum - the important thing with eyes is to get their shape right and ensure they're in alignment, but they're only a part, and not necessarily the biggest one, of capturing an expression.
These are generalizations, but perhaps useful to bear in mind because they should remind you of the importance of capturing shape.
Posted
I've been looking at this idea of the Zorn Palette and thought I'd give it a go. Never tried a portrait of any real size before and wasn't sure how it would work out. Well I'm quite pleased with this first attempt which is part of a larger WIP. Think I may give portrait painting a try! Thank you all contributors for pointing me in this direction.
Posted
That's a fantastic first attempt Steve, well done. I've used the Zorn palette on all the portraits on this post. The one I'm doing now, I've just added ultramarine to the palette. I think it is really an excellent basis that stands alone or a palette you can build upon. You really have done a great job.
Posted
Racing driver, yes. Unfortunately it's meant to be Derek Bell with his Porsche 924GTS when he was at Ragley Hall but I do now see the likeness to Jackie Stewart. Perhaps I should change the background to one of Jackie's cars ho ho. I should have kept quiet.. And Majorie that's an earlobe 🙂
So I do have some way to go getting a likeness. Here's the original pic I copied, I can see now that it ain't really right. Back to the drawing board, or perhaps I should do Jackie Stewart next.
