Portrait of a little girl
Just thought I’d break from the 1950’s and post something different. I used to do a lot of drawing and loved working in pencil. Not colour pencils, but plain black pencil. I just loved working with the varying softness of the lead.
Portraits were my thing. I started by copying faces from album covers. I was always careful to enlarge them, slightly larger than lifesize, so nobody could mistakenly think I had traced the outlines.
I actually got a commission to draw a well known, London hairdresser’s little girl. I accepted, and when I received the photograph I was thrilled. It was a real challenge. Such a beautiful little girl and such hair! This one I did much larger than life, so It could be framed and hang on a wall without getting lost.
I worked for many, many hours on this – for a pittance I might add. I was always so lacking in confidence that I never sold my work for it’s real worth. Even so, I was thrilled with the end result, and really enjoyed the challenge.
I just came across a photograph of the portrait, while looking through some old photograph albums, and thought I would post it.
Click on the photos to see in more detail.
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Sicarii | 27 April 2008 at 2:46
Wow, Babs, that’s quite a gift you have! I can’t draw anything decently to save my life.
Lori | 27 April 2008 at 20:13
I came from Kathy’s. LMAO!!!!!
Hey, my gawd you are an awesome drawer! That is GORGEOUS!!
weechuff | 27 April 2008 at 21:18
This had the same effect on me tonight as when you first did it.
It is absolutely stunning! What a talent. Do you think you could still do this sort of thing all these years later? I would think a talent like that stays with you forever:0)
Sindie | 27 April 2008 at 21:31
I actually remember watching you do this Babs. To compare it to the actual photograph was amazing. I also remember the pittance you charged was totally unrealistic when you figured out the hours you worked on it! But as you say,you loved doing it. :0)
granny grimble | 27 April 2008 at 22:16
I remember this so well Babs. I was astounded by it then, and still am. How could you have such a talent and not keep it up? I wonder what she looks like now? I’d love to know. You should have this framed and on your wall, for all to see and admire.
XXX
Spider | 27 April 2008 at 22:23
Wow Babs, I have no recollection of this (as usual) Maybe I was not around.
It is fantastic, I cannot believe it is a drawing and not a photo.
I wonder if the mother (or daughter) has still got it.
Have another go, sketch your Sukie. Tinaxx
nanjodogz | 27 April 2008 at 22:30
Wow, just amazing — I think it’s definitely something you should take up again — you have quite a talent! Absolutely beautiful!
Babs (Beetle) | 27 April 2008 at 23:33
sicari: I’m not too good at general drawing either.
lori: Kathy’s blog is brilliant. I love it.
weechuff, sindiegranny grimble, spider: Technically I expect I could still do it but my ‘zimmer frame’ eyes wouldn’t allow it now.
nanjodogz: Sadly my eyes probably wouldn’t see the detail now.
MamaFlo | 27 April 2008 at 23:34
OMG!! Babs, I honest to goodness thought it was a photograph. There are no words enough to express the talent that this drawing PROVES you have. This is incredible, Wow!!!!
Babs (Beetle) | 27 April 2008 at 23:45
mamaflo: Well thank you very muchly ;O)
GoldAnne | 28 April 2008 at 8:43
WOW!!!!!1
I cant believe you did that you should have made a fortune with that talent its incredible!!!!
gosh anything I manage to do I show off,which is total ++++.
Babs you are truly amazing!!!!!
love anne xxx
Babs (Beetle) | 28 April 2008 at 14:04
Goldanne: Thank you. I find it easier to show my work on blogs ;O)
Liudmila | 28 April 2008 at 19:40
I like simple black pencils too. Different softness. I think it’s more expressive in many cases as colours. Unfortunatelly I touch them rarely in thelast period. Only internet exists.
))
Your girl is really inspirating. And just for black pencil.
Drowsey Monkey | 29 April 2008 at 0:34
Wowser! You’re amazing! It looks like a photo!!!!
Babs (Beetle) | 29 April 2008 at 0:55
Liudmila: I also don’t draw now days. Not sure I’d have the patience now.
Drowsey Monkey: Thank you. More of yours now please.
Sarah | 29 April 2008 at 12:23
I’m speechless! I, like others thought it was a photo! I thought, where’s the drawing? You’ve got to have a go at some more drawing. Pretty please! How about your lovely cats?
Hugs, Sarah x
Babs (Beetle) | 29 April 2008 at 12:53
Sarah: Now you just gave me an idea ;O)
Daisy | 29 April 2008 at 22:34
Whoa! Until I enlarged it, I couldn’t even tell it was a drawing and not a B&W photo. You are so talented!
Babs (Beetle) | 29 April 2008 at 23:06
Daisy: Well thank you Daisy – almost as talented as you :O)
JD at I Do Things | 30 April 2008 at 2:11
WOW! I second all the other comments here. You’re incredibly talented. I also thought that was a photo. Very nice!
JD at I Do Things
LizzyT | 30 April 2008 at 16:27
That is an amazing picture, you have got a fabulous talent
ettarose | 1 May 2008 at 2:55
I swear I have a problem believing that is a portrait. That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. What talent!
Babs (Beetle) | 1 May 2008 at 3:10
jd, lizzyt & ettarose: Thank you for your great comments.
Swubird | 1 May 2008 at 16:52
Beetle:
What a fabulous looking little girl, and you really did a great job of drawing her. What talent. I really admire and envy people who have such talent.
When I was about 14 years old I got a hold of a photo of Elvis Presley. I drew a lined grid on it, and then I drew a grid on a huge piece of white butcher paper. With a #2 pencil I carefully recreated Elvis’ image onto the butcher paper, and hung it on my bedroom wall. I thought it turned out great, but I wonder what I would think if I could see it now. Yikes!
Great post, and have a nice day.
Babs (Beetle) | 1 May 2008 at 22:25
Swubird: Sounds like your Elvis picture would have been very good! The grid is just how to go about it in the first instance.
JB's Big World | 2 May 2008 at 16:12
Wow! You are super talented! First time to this blog….wonderful.
–JB
LadyBanana | 2 May 2008 at 18:21
Wow, that’s amazingly fantastic – thanks for the comment on my blog, we may have some things in common but drawing isn’t one of them – I’m hopeless…
Christine and FAZ | 3 May 2008 at 23:19
Lovely work, I thought it was a photograph it is so life like. FAZ
Ella | 4 May 2008 at 15:51
Wow totally amazing, who ever you did this artwork for is very lucky indeed, the detail is quite something ,and again like the others I thought it was a photo.when I was younger i also liked to sketch portraits in pencil but unfortunately i never kept any of them and they were nowhere near as good as you.
Shengyael | 7 May 2008 at 19:51
Lovliest portrait ive ever seen. she’s so cute!
Cindy | 10 May 2008 at 17:11
That is amazing. You have incredible talent!
Lydia | 8 July 2008 at 4:35
That’s brilliant! Even after finding out that it was not a photographic portrait, I find it hard to believe..!