Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC

Comments

After you have conjured up such a great portrait in watercolours, it would be a shame if a background ruined the picture. Unfortunately, it's also a bit of a luck thing whether the background succeeds wet on wet, especially at the edges of the figure. I would leave it like this Malcolm. The picture turned out great!

Posted by Detlev Bucks on Thu 01 Apr 15:00:32

Thanks for your thoughts Detlev. I have this posted on an aviation art website as well and lots of folks are saying like you, to leave it as is, so I think this is where I will leave it. Cheers Malcolm

Posted by Malcolm Davies GRA on Thu 01 Apr 15:27:39

Yes, definitely leave as is - great portrait and even better for being your first! Very hard to do in watercolour as well and his uniform is top notch.

Posted by Heather Love on Thu 01 Apr 15:30:21

I think it’s perfect without a background Malcolm - such a powerful image! I love watercolour with this level of detail.

Posted by Anthony Knight on Thu 01 Apr 15:53:38

I watched this evolving in the Forum and have to say it is an excellent portrait. His uniform is so good. I wouldn’t put a background on it as I think it would spoil such a special painting.

Posted by Christine Rogan on Thu 01 Apr 16:53:55

I've watch this on the forum, great job.

Posted by Denise Cat on Thu 01 Apr 17:17:22

Superb watercolour portrait , love the blue for the uniform. As already said, it looks great without a background, it leaves you to focus on the intended subject.

Posted by christopher lawton on Thu 01 Apr 17:25:23

So perfectly done

Posted by Romila Datta on Thu 01 Apr 17:33:56

Exceptional portrait Malcolm.

Posted by Fiona Phipps on Thu 01 Apr 18:11:34

Really good. You have captured the uniform perfectly as well as the portrait, it really looks like the proper blue fabric.

Posted by Steve Andrews on Thu 01 Apr 18:41:47

Superb work, particularly like the uniform

Posted by Russell Edwards on Thu 01 Apr 20:02:31

Definitely leave as is. Lovely job!

Posted by Linda Wilson on Thu 01 Apr 21:30:51

This is so good for a first portrait - I agree with what everyone else has said - leave the background as it is.

Posted by Hilary Pendlebury on Fri 02 Apr 15:36:39

Absolutely brilliant portrait of a great man . Best to leave him as the focus and not have a background.

Posted by Paul (Dixie) Dean on Fri 02 Apr 17:09:38

Fabulous work Malcolm!

Posted by Diane Boswell on Fri 02 Apr 19:53:48

Hang on Studio Wall

01/04/2021

2 likes

617 views

Just completed my first ever portrait, so I decided to go with someone who is a hero of mine. While I am very happy with the end result, my dilemma is whether or not to add any background or if it can stand as it is, without. If I do decide to add one in then it's got to be simple as I wouldn't want it to be distracting. Decisions, decisions. May just see what I think in a while. Watercolour on Hahnemuhle paper. Size of image is 11 x 7 inches (27 x 18 cms) approx.

About the Artist

Malcolm Davies GRA

I studied art at school in the early 1970's and my early paintings were all aircraft based. As my personal interests changed so did my artwork, and I moved into motor cycles and cars. My first car based commission in 1978 was for a Jensen CV8. In the years since then my artwork has gone…

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