Memories of a mother

Excellent work Libby! Really captures a bygone era.

A challenge from which many of us might have shrunk... It's so hard to work from old monochrome (or come to that colour) photographs .... I've been trying to draw my grandfather for years now, but there's always something missing; what I remember conflicts with what I can see in photographs; and of course people change over the years. Maybe drawing a complete stranger would be, um, "easier"; but I know really that none of it's easy - a flick of the chalk out of place, and the likeness has gone. Brilliant work in both portraits. I hope you were well-paid for such efforts.

Lovely portrait Libby. I recently did one of my grandmother which I posted. It is a good likeness, I didn't know my grandmother, she died before I was born, but there is still something that tells me I am missing something. We can but try. Excellent work

Stunning work, Libby. Portraits are so difficult to draw or paint, but you made a success of those. Lucky friend you have there!

Two beautiful portraits, Libby. I love the monochrome and these must be valued now by your friend - drawings are so more personal somehow than a photograph.

I am stunned by all your comments - thank you so much all of you - am so glad that I found this outlet as it is of vital importance to all of us to get constructive feed back. I do not charge a lot for my portraits - try to keep it affordable to all - need to get known first!

Yes, I think perhaps Libby doesn't know how good she is. They are both done with a lovely softness that seems to capture a bygone age. Hope you are asked to do far more.

A pair of beautiful portraits Libby, I love the colour you have chosen really gives the feeling of a bygone age.

I agree - stunning pair of portraits. The colour chosen is beautiful. You should be extremely pleased with them