Greta’s Rival

This graphite pencil drawing ‘Sans Titre – 02-10-24’ depicts Ukrainian moviestar and celebrity Anna Sten. She is sometimes compared to Greta Garbo. Allegedly Goldwyn sought for a foreign actress who could rival Greta. What do you know? Only after the completion of this drawing I took another look at the picture and even googled it. Then I saw she actually was Anna Sten. Even though they don’t really look alike in this picture Anna looks a bit like Greta. It must have been the bulby eyelids the latter surely prominently is bestowed upon. Don’t mind which of the two persons she is. Primarily I was attracted to the excellent dark and light division. A tonal play that is a feast to the eye. Besides that, the hairdo simply is a outstanding challenge for an artist like me.

Hairy Structures

Last drawing of Marlene Dietrich (Sans Titre – 29-09-24) got me all fired up to do another portrait. Or should I say draw hairy structures? Personally I found Marlene’s drawing turned out rather well. The abstraction was perfect. However, this time the hair was a tall order because there was more of it. Surely I didn’t want to repeat myself by executing hairs in the same way the second time around. Luckily the complexity of the hair-do gave me more freedom to experiment. Although I kept the overall concept of horizontally and vertically placed blocks I also drew a lot of swirls. More than last drawing I’d say.

Focus

Facial features I only abstracted a bit such as the triangular structure in the cheekbone. Even the shirt I didn’t work out too much. Is it from the Ukraine? There is something traditional or European to it. Ms Garbo could have wore it and first I thought it must be something Swedish. It doesn’t matter really. Both shirt and face haven’t been added much value to from my part. Instead I glorified all things hairy!

Graphite pencil (Faber Castell Pitt Graphite Matt pencil 14B) drawing on Fabriano Ingres paper (21 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm)

Artist: Corné Akkers

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