I’ve been looking at the work of Marlene Dumas. Her paintings have a dark, uneasy feel about them. She captures the fragility of the person she is painting but also reveals a disturbing and unnerving aspect to their personality. For me, her work strips away the layers of deception we all hide under and exposes the true personality.
Marlene Dumas. (1994) Models [ink and chalk on paper] 62 x 50 cm each
Marlene Dumas. (1994) Models detail [ink and chalk on paper] 62 x 50 cm
Marlene Dumas. (1994 – ongoing) Rejects [ink, acrylic paint and chalk on paper] 60 x 50 cm each
Normally I spend hours drawing an image but I wanted to create something fluid and inky. This drawing was completed within 40 minutes. I think it’s been good for me to work at speed as often my work becomes too tight. I’m pleased with the result even though the ink dripped on her forehead. I’m going to make more portraits like this using the mugshots.
Mugshot drawing in ink and chalk
