This graphite pencil drawing ‘Sans Titre – 21-08-15’ depicts Anne Baxter, American actress and celebrity. Her greatest role might me in the 1950 movie ‘All About Eve’. Since my Sans Titre series is ever growing I found it nothing more that suitable to include her. Especially after discovering the referential picture for this one. Not a mere portrait but a full upper body. The fact she looks great and very attractive in the low cut dress only makes it better. Therefor I decided to do draw the full posture as shown in the picture. After all, the posture next to only facial features can convey a lot with regard to a clear resemblance.
Initially I focused on the head and the lower part of the drawing, being the legs. The torso I actually left quite blank from a tonal point of view. This way I could have it interact with and almost breathe into the negative space around it. The focus on the head, breast and legs / hand divides the attention throughout the whole page mirror. Somehow it reminded me to Rembrandt’s ‘Portrait of an Old Jew’. However, the difference there is also some tonal hefty bandwidth in the bust. Other parts in the midsection are kept rather basic, except fort he robust foreshortened underarm.
Sans Titre – 06-08-15 (Audrey Tautou) I drew in quite edgy planes, only some roundness in her lips. This time I had it in me to incorporate straightness only. A challenge really to cast her gorgeous roundness into a tight straight mould. Still suggesting all things round. That was my very aim.
Graphite pencil drawing (Pentel 0.5 mm, 3B) on Canson Bristol paper (21 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm) – A4 format)
Artist: Corné Akkers