A sad look

[Grethe Angen]

Hello everyone,
here is a drawing I just finished, (I think), I plan to do an oil painting with this as a refrence.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Grethe,

It's a beautiful drawing. You've captured the sad expression so well.

I'm wondering how you are planning to translate this into a painting. As a drawing it holds up very well as a study of a mood, a moment, and a study of a particular facial expression. As a portrait, it might not be appealing to look at if she were just shown standing alone, about to cry, without a context. However, if she were in a context, shown in a situation, so that you are telling a story with the painting, it could be very successful. Just my opinion.

[Garth Herrick]

Nice! I look forward to your painting.

[Grethe Angen]

Thank you Alex and Garth
This is drawn from part of an old b&w newspaper photo that belongs to the girl (now a woman at 50) Here is the story about the sad look: When this photo was taken she had just lost her mother and baby brother.and was brought to a child care. They had cut her hair straight off, for practical reasons, she told me she remember this very well and that she wanted her mother so badly and did`nt quite understand what happened.
This is the only photo she has from that time. She asked me if I thought I could make a painting of it, as she think this has had such a great impact on her life. I told her that I can offer to make a drawing.
I am very in doubt if it would be a good idea to make a painting of it. the good thing I haven't promised to do so.
I`d love to hear your opinions.What would you do?

[Alexandra Tyng]

Grethe, I've been feeling guilty all day about voicing my doubts. . .and now that I hear the story I feel even worse! I do not want to discurage you from making this into a painting if you want to do it. And if the woman actually wants you to do it, that is an unusual situation that could have an unusual outcome.

[Dan Landrie]

Just a small observation. It looks like the nose is in profile while the rest of the head is in three quarters. You might want to keep this in mind while painting.

[Lon Haverly]

This drawing may be hard to beat! Sometimes the drawing brings out a sponteneity that a painting does not match. Very fine drawing! An oil may not be a better piece than this!

I am a big fan of a fine drawing, as anyone may have guessed. I am sure your oil will live up to this drawing.

[Grethe Angen]

Originally Posted by Dan Landrie

Just a small observation. It looks like the nose is in profile while the rest of the head is in three quarters. You might want to keep this in mind while painting.

There willl be no painting of this. Dan, I think you might be right about the nose, though. oh well, my client was happy and has placed it on her wall.
Lon, thank you.

[Chris Saper]

Dear Grethe,

I find this drawing so sensitive and executed with great care . I think your skillful use of soft edges has contributed to the very successful dreamy mood and, having been told the story, powerful memory.

Congratulations on a beautiful job.

[Grethe Angen]

Thank you very much Chris, your nice words means a lot.