Friday 17 September 2010

The faces We Don't See

coloured pencil
A couple more sketches from my 'face in a crowd' sketchbook for the Arthouse Sketchbook Project 2011.   The last few pages were about not wanting to be seen and hiding your face,  these pages are about the faces we often don't see.   

I did both of these drawings on very rough, lightweight paper.  It was difficult to get a lot of detail but my coloured pencils felt almost like pastels, very smudgy as they skipped over the ridges and valleys!  It was difficult to keep a point too as the paper eats the pencil.
p.s The vertical lines through the first drawing were made by my scanner not me!



17 comments:

Shirley said...

These are very powerful images Cathy. Your sketchbook is really going to be amazing!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful images! I am amazed at what you can convey in a drawing. I once remarked to a friend that beggars here always seem to have a dog - she said that they get extra benefits if they have a dog (I somehow don't think that's true!!!) It also seems obligatory here for beggars to have a candlewick bedspread. I have to admit that having seen the dire poverty in Indonesia, I don't have a lot of sympathy for fit young people who harass me for 'spare change'!!

Cathy Holtom said...

Anne - I sketched a dog in the first one at the bottom then rubbed it out!
I think dogs are company and they don't judge, but thay also help gain sympathy if you are begging!

Lucia B. said...

Your works not only are wonderful examples of your skill in using pencils and matching colours, but they also reveal your sensitivity, a rare quality that I always admire. These drawings are so slight and at the same time so profound.

Alex said...

These will touch a lot of hearts Cathy. That's really terrific job as an artist. I love how you rendered them. Shirley's right, the sketchbook will be priceless!

Sarika Alvekar said...

These are awesome sketches, wonderful job. :)

seesue said...

Lovely I'll be stopping in again.

Sandra said...

Excellent. So sensitive.

nanke's stuff said...

Not only stunning, but very moving. They made my heart ache. nancy

Ann said...

Beautifully drawn and very moving images.

Unknown said...

There is such a strong statement evolving in this sketchbook! Excellent drawings!

debra morris said...

Great pages Cathy....as said before, very powerful and moving.

donna said...

What moving sketches. Your sketchbook project if very well done!

Unknown said...

I love the way you are developing your theme. The whole set so far is fantastic.

Sara Light-Waller said...

Oh Cathy, these are wonderful!

Gillian Mowbray said...

Your sketchbook is going to be one powerful collection of art by the time it's finished. You set yourself quite a challenge and I'm in awe of your talent. Keep 'em coming!

Lesley Purcell said...

These pictures are wonderful sketches - really moving imagery. Your choice of subject matter for your sketchbook is great.