Glamorous, Yet Gloomy

This colored pencil drawing ‘Sans Titre – 17-10-16’ shows a glamorous yet rather gloomy portrait. It’s Mary Nolan’s, American actress and celebrity. Looking for a new addition for my ever growing Sans Titre series I found this particular photo. First and foremost, it was the light or rather the gloom than the glam, that attracted me. Curiously intrigued by her I was scrolling through her Wikipedia page. I didn’t know her and there’s good reason for that. More a ‘minor celebrity’ whose life was typed by struggles and strides. Coming from a broken family, picked up by abusive men, then a Ziegfeld girl, she eventually starred in some movies. She was kicked out of some due to her troubled actions and turned to drug abuse. A true rock ‘n roll life and therefor abrupted by an overdose at age 45.

Essential Blocks of Light and Dark

Starting these portraits obviously I picked the ones I knew best. Only to realize there are so many worthwhile too. Somehow I came to realize the glam of it all is not the only thing Hollywood represents, also the misfits. Perhaps most didn’t make it to the top but I can do my best to give them a second chance. At least, on paper that is. Back to the gloom and glamour of the portrait. Following up my portrait of Natalie Wood in roundish strokes I decided to execute this one in straight lines only. Focusing on the light I tried to capture it in essential blocks of light and dark. The first time I used Derwent Coloursoft pencils and I decided to use the color purple only. It serves as a symbol of the dark side of those who have briefly tasted fame.

Pencil drawing (Derwent Coloursoft pencils on Canson Bristol paper (21 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm) – A4 format)

Artist: Corné Akkers

Sales info: info@corneakkers.com

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