Greetings, Oh how I find it difficult to talk about my work! Let me see…
I usually work in ink and pastel; this allows me to compose my pictures very quickly. Indeed, I seldom spend more than an evening on a particular drawing. (I do enjoy painting – but it is an expensive enterprise!) My drawings are large; the photograph at the very end of my film gives you an idea of size.
The process of creation is simple. I often spread out my paper on the floor – and just sit and sketch away. A few weeks ago I constructed a drawing board (proving to be far better for my back). I work in my small (extremely crowded) bedroom, as I don’t have a studio (but I love this environment).
I think of my portraits as illustrations. I’ll work at a face until it looks ‘real’. Sometimes a draft is more favourable than the ‘final’ copy.
I like to listen to recordings of Bible passages when I work. Scripture speaks to my soul.
Eyes. I like eyes. Emotional eyes. And the chaos that surrounds them – well, I see it as chaos.
I convey emotion through line(s). I don’t really shade my works. I criss-cross. I weave. I guess that’s the best way to describe what I do.
mroa2638 – Michael.
