Man in a kilt
A couple of years ago, a young friend asked me to draw this picture of him. At the time, I just wasn’t up to it. Now — just ever-so-slightly belatedly — I’m making a start.
I like it so far. But since I’m now reaching the point where my next step is inevitably to ruin it, I thought I’d post the in-progress version for posterity. :-)
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February 23rd, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Hmm. I think I recognize him. Haven’t seen him lately but isn’t his hair a little longer?
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Hm. Who do I know, that:
*Carries a rifle
*Wears a kilt
*Knows Claire
You may need to change the hair, Claire. Or my guess could be all wet.
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:49 pm
LOL, and I was thinking I disguised him SO well! I left his face ’til last so I wouldn’t be posting a picture of a specific person without his okay. Oh well.
And yes. The hair. This photo was taken several years ago when the hair was shorter.
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:58 pm
“But since I’m now reaching the point where my next step is inevitably to ruin it…..”
I think it’s wonderful so far and can’t imagine that you could possibly “ruin” it. You’ve posted things you were a bit disappointed with, but nothing that wasn’t actually wonderful. Just the 2 cents of one of those who can’t even draw stick figures. I can’t wait to see how it grows!
February 23rd, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Just put a “V” mask sticker over his face to protect his identity and to prevent you from messing up that area. (Human faces are the hardest thing for me to draw, so I’m probably just stating what I should do if I were at that stage.) But, it looks very good.
February 23rd, 2012 at 5:38 pm
“But since I’m now reaching the point where my next step is inevitably to ruin it”
Don’t jinx yourself with all that confidence…..no, seriously, you’ll do a great job – think positively……
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Karen — Awww. Believe me, I frequently do much less than wonderful, but I appreciate your vote of confidence.
Kent — Yeah, a V mask would really complete the picture, wouldn’t it?
naturegirl — Just once in my life, I’d actually love to be overly confident …
February 24th, 2012 at 5:43 am
Is that a shooting umbrella ???? Scan it and print some copies that you can mess up repeatedly…… trying and sort of failing is the way to develop a style.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:54 am
Kent says human faces are the hardest. But Claire has the gift of capturing the eyes, and that’s really the core of what the face is. If the eyes are right, the face just works pretty much however it turns out. IMO as an observer – not a doer.
February 24th, 2012 at 7:06 am
Looks great and I’m sure it will be even better completed :)
February 24th, 2012 at 7:17 am
I like it Claire. I wish I could do something like that. I think it’s kinda cool just like it is, it could me any man.
February 24th, 2012 at 7:18 am
Make that, it could be any man.
February 24th, 2012 at 7:43 am
As a portrait artist, I have to get the face first, specifically the eyes, or I simply will not be able to draw the person at all. I have trouble drawing clothing and inanimate objects, so I am very impressed with this drawing. You’re very talented!
February 24th, 2012 at 8:25 am
I saw this on the Facebook feed, and knew it was a utilikilt he’s wearing. I clicked on the photo to get a good gander. Good job Claire! Your shading is beautiful!
February 24th, 2012 at 8:36 am
Somehow, I don’t see you ruining it, Claire. You’ve already done the hardest part…hands. By the Gods, hands are the toughest damn body part to draw, and not make look like claws or twisted stubs of goo…you’ve already got realistic looking hands, so the next steps will be easy peasy.
Trust me…I’m *not* from the government, and I’m here to help you. LOL!
February 24th, 2012 at 9:20 am
A shooting umbrella …? The mind boggles. :-)
Hello, FarmMama — Yes, that’s a Utilikilt, though not exactly. The young man’s mother is a theatrical costumer, and that’s her homemade adaptation. Thank you for your kindness; I’m still working on getting the shadows right, but it’s fascinating drawing a subject with strong light coming from behind him.
Yeah … hands — difficult. I always fear the “bunch of bananas” effect. Now I’ll have to switch to fearing “twisted stubs of goo.”
Amber — interesting observation from an artist. I think you’re right about portraits. The eyes are everything.
February 24th, 2012 at 9:24 am
I’ve always been a total sucker for a man in a kilt… and it’s been many a long year since I saw one. Need to go to the Highland games this summer. :) Takes me weeks to get over the impact of seeing hundreds of them!! LOL
The young man in your picture is lovely, Claire. But he does need a wee bit more of a face. :)
February 24th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
LOL-ing at “twisted stubs of goo”
February 24th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Guys in kilts, guys with long hair….. that picture could get dangerous for me!
Nicely drawn!
February 25th, 2012 at 11:25 am
From the look of it so far, it’ going to be a wonderful piece. Sadly, for me, artistic ability sometimes skips a generation. At least I can appreciate good art like this. :)
February 26th, 2012 at 11:51 am
Make “Him” a “Her” and that would be a Smok’n Hot Prepper Chick portrait.
Boot’s and All.
Just Say’n,
Hutch
February 26th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Heh. Hutch, maybe I’ll do something just like that in another portrait. Yeah, I expect that would be popular around here. :-)
February 26th, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Lady you got Skillz…How about a Prepper/Thrivalist family portrait.
I think you would capture the spirit and mindset.
Sell them in wall poster form.
Hutch