In Reference To Mary Cassatt

[╬ProperArtist╬]

Rough Draft of my final piece for Modern Art History.
Lillie asked us to do a piece in the style/reference of an artist we touched on during the course of the semester.
I chose Mary Cassatt's Reading Le Figaro. (Portrait of the Artist's Mother). 1878. Oil on canvas. Private collection.
http://www.abcgallery.com/C/cassatt/cassatt14.JPG
(there's a link in case you don't know of the portrait)

I figured since she painted picture of women in a higher standard of the time I figured I'd do the same (ironically I've never drawn my own mother). She's really all I got left and she's been through a hell of a lot in her life time so consider this a tribute if you will while a mandatory project.
You can't see it in this picture (yet), but she's reading the paper at her work desk.
The idea being that she's in her own world not acknowledging the camera so there is little to no connection with the model being used and the viewer (as there would be with eye contact). The similarities also being that I modeled her reading the paper and there's a mirror in the background (well going to be). The manner in which they're dressed for the time is an allusion to the class of both women.
On a side note, this has only taken me a little more than an hour to draw so far.

 

[Ophan]

good so far, your value is superb, but i always found that to be your greatest strength in your work. good work ol' chap

 

[╬ProperArtist╬]

An updated version of the inspiration piece on Mary Cassatt.
Got this back today and even though it was unfinished I got an A- on it. I'm guessing the minus was because it's not done, but it's an A so I'm happy.
I got the arms, hands and the majority of the lower parts finished, now I've just gotta finish up her scarf, hair, the background and any other small details I want to touch up.
I'm starting to notice that my portraits are beginning to take on a painters quality to them but in pencil (maybe I should start experimenting with PrismaColors...).

 

[Ophan]

i think you'd do good in anatomy/ portrait art, like those people who use charcoal pencils, and pastels. But Prisma Colors are a good start. There damn expensive but i did some work on here with prisma colors. I bet you'd do much better than me

 

[Vayne Mechanics]

i adore your ability to use values so well uguu

 

[╬ProperArtist╬]

Daw thanks you 2, I really appreciate it.