Wednesday 25 February 2009

Mbari Portrait

The subject of the portraiture class is Mbari. Mbari is Kenyan with amazing dread locked hair swept forward into a couple of horn shapes. These pictures are around A2 in size. I began with a charcoal drawing which was then fixed and a burnt sienna wash applied. From this point on all the painting is done in acrylics and water colours. In the second Mbari I then went over the painting with charcoal lines for more definition. In the third picture I ran out of time, so didn't manage to tone down the hot colours. Giving the impression of a sun burnt Mbari peeling.

Mbari (above) looking like he has something to say

Soulful Mbari

The last picture. A bored, tired, unfinished Mbari.

The studio with a sitting Mbari

9 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

These are really fabulous, Luke! I love your style.

Denise said...

Love your use of color and I agree with Willow, I absolutely love your style! Wonderful work. I'll be back to check out new postings!

TheClayMuse said...

Agree! Wonderful use of colors.. so bright and exciting! Love your work..
And thanks for the follow!

Jenny Carter said...

Are you in school? Gosh, how I would love to go back to school and take fine art.

Animated Magic said...

Thanks for all your comments. Actually did this work as part of a 11 week portraiture course that I'm taking, about half way through at the moment.

A Cuban In London said...

I love the way you describe the process of painting. really what art should be about, the journey, not just the destination.

Greetings from London.

Every Photo Tells A Story said...

Fabulous portraits, Luke! Everything about them. The bright, vivid colors and the sharp quality. Great job, and great style!

Anonymous said...

Love these portraits Luke, the colours are amazing :)

Lifer said...

i really like these portraits. nice