portrait-sculpture.com

Joel Levinson · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:16 am Post subject: Bernini

Hi All,
In at least one other thread we had a discussion about how a portrait sculptor has to interpret in order to compensate for the lack of colors in the piece, i.e. shallow detail for lighter eyes,deeper for dark etc.In a book I recently obtained there was an anecdote regarding Bernini.He was teaching a class and made a comment that one could not do an exact portrait in marble relative to this subject.On the sly he had an assistant that all the students knew exit left to another room and cover his hair and face in flour.When he re-entered later no one recognised him.
Joel

Stuart · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 527

Interesting anecdote there Joel. Of course the eyes would have looked weird peering out of all that floury whiteness.

Talking of pale eyes ..........I've just finished my portrait of Walt Whitman whose eyes seem to have been almost colourless and the pupils more obvious than usual.
I had to find a way of modelling them to reflect these elements.
I've never before had to sculpt so much hair and beard either.
Extraordinary individual. I read a lot of biographical information before I started and some of his poems as the job progressed.
Wonderful opportunity.
Stuart

Joel Levinson · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 9:40 am Post subject: Open Eyes

Stuart, The eyes open with monochromatic,white skin and hair ,would be strange at the very least.However,if you apply this anecdote to life casters where the eyes are always closed a point can made regarding that form.
Joel

Phil Minchinton · Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 101 Location: London, UK

A lovely characterful portrait Stuart and the eyes do have that 'tepid, watery' appearance with the irises lightly defined.

Regards

Phil

Jeanette Lewis · Joined: 13 Oct 2009 Posts: 254 Location: North West England

Lovely work Stuart,
I had wondered at what age you might depict him.
Jeanette
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Ora et Labora

Tamara · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:35 am Post subject:

Beautiful. Nice wrinkling around the eyes to show his age. His parted lips gives a relaxed look along with the watery eyes. That sure is a full beard, I bet it was fun to sculpt. Smile

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Happy Sculpting!

Stuart · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 527

Thanks so much for the kind comments....
Re: the beard.......at times I got a bit lost in there.
Fortunately there was one image of him as a young man with only a suggestion of a beard that gave me some clues as to the structure around the mouth and chin.
Amazing man
S