There are many ways to be brave. It’s not just about sorting out a bully, or giving a kick-ass corporate presentation when you’re terrified and your insides are all a-jiggle.
Sometimes, it’s about taking on something you didn’t know you could do – taking up the challenge. Such a challenge was presented to me recently when I received a call from a local gallery asking me to paint a man with a young kudu. The client wanted something with “flair” and I was unsure if I was the right person for the job.
The reference photo provided was taken in the early 1960’s, and proved to be of one Arthur Atherstone. After a little bit of Internet research, I discovered that Arthur must have been about 90 years old at the time of the photograph, and was descended from the 1820 settlers (South Africa). It is a real character photograph that tells a wonderful story of the bond between man and animal which even reflects in their matching moustaches!
Although not my usual subject matter, I was drawn to the image, so I thought I would give it a shot.
I began with a detailed sketch, and then did a wash of the background sky and bushes. Next, being left-handed, I actually started painting Arthur’s sun-faded hat.
Arthur himself was quite a challenge as the photo didn’t show his eyes (they were just blacked out in the shadow created by the hat and the bright sunlight.) I knew that the painting wouldn’t look right with no eyes, and I definitely didn’t want Arthur to look like a zombie, so I added my own.
I used Payne’s Gray and purple to add the shadows in his white shirt. I also added a little white gel pen to his magnificent whiskers once the watercolour painting was complete.
The kudu itself was more my usual subject matter, but who knew kudus’ ear were quite THAT big!
In the end, I was quite pleased with the finished painting. I feel I have grown from the experience by saying “Yes” to something that I would normally have walked away from. It was also extremely rewarding to hear that the client loved the end result and to see the framed painting.
Man and Kudu
