...The Late Queen Elizabth II, a Tribute to a Fine Monarch.
16 January, 2023
Well, this is one of those pictures that has been so long coming to fruition. I have never even attempted to draw a human portrait before this, as I couldn't quite pluck the courage up to have a go. I decided last year that I'd have a good go at drawing someone & had considered our late Queen Elizabeth II before she passed away. Having been a Grenadier Guardsman many years ago, her Majesty was a figure very well respected and admired by me. Not for just who she was but what she stood for as a person. She was the even keel, a picture of stability. I was, like many, quite upset when she passed away so the decision to draw her was decided and it was to be my own tribute to this amazing woman.
The drawing itself was drawn over many hours in pastel, on white Clairefontaine Pastelmat. It wasn't a drawing I flew through with ease, but was a considered attempt where I took my time, constantly tweaking and adding to elements. It was never intended to be an exact facsimile, but an accurate representation. The hair was a fair challenge as, unlike most animal hair, her Majesties hair had a very distictive and well recognised style! The process itself was relatively straightforward, building up from the darker values before adding the actual hair and adjusting the style until I was happy.
The skin was an area completely new to me and I quickly became aware of the tiniest naunces, that if not accurate, would throw the whole picture out. Even subtle shadows on the skin needed to be correct as without these it completely altered to shape of the face.
The dress and jewelery initially filled me with dread and the level of detail and complexity, but when all the other elements were considered it was actually the simplest to do. I know the diamond earrings and necklace are well recognised, but once the shape had taken form, the rest fell into place. The dress was a pleasant change as I don't think i've ever used those shades before this piece.
Finally, the background was a nod to my Army days, Blue Red Blue are the colours of The Household Division, of which The Grenadier Guards belongs, as well as: The Houshold Cavalry, The Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards, and Welsh Guards
The drawing itself was drawn over many hours in pastel, on white Clairefontaine Pastelmat. It wasn't a drawing I flew through with ease, but was a considered attempt where I took my time, constantly tweaking and adding to elements. It was never intended to be an exact facsimile, but an accurate representation. The hair was a fair challenge as, unlike most animal hair, her Majesties hair had a very distictive and well recognised style! The process itself was relatively straightforward, building up from the darker values before adding the actual hair and adjusting the style until I was happy.
The skin was an area completely new to me and I quickly became aware of the tiniest naunces, that if not accurate, would throw the whole picture out. Even subtle shadows on the skin needed to be correct as without these it completely altered to shape of the face.
The dress and jewelery initially filled me with dread and the level of detail and complexity, but when all the other elements were considered it was actually the simplest to do. I know the diamond earrings and necklace are well recognised, but once the shape had taken form, the rest fell into place. The dress was a pleasant change as I don't think i've ever used those shades before this piece.
Finally, the background was a nod to my Army days, Blue Red Blue are the colours of The Household Division, of which The Grenadier Guards belongs, as well as: The Houshold Cavalry, The Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards, and Welsh Guards
