Portrait Art

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Borsheim Art Newsletter:

by Kelly Borsheim copyright 9 January 2009

CONTENTS:

Thank you - Menu For Hope and World Food Program
Portrait Design + Anniversary Gift
New Art
Recent Blog Topics
Subscription Info.

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"Donatello's Portrait of Niccolò da Uzzano"
('particolare'=detail)
Work-in-Progress (June 2008)

Dear Art Lover,

Happy 2009! I hope that you are truly loving your life or in the process of changing it for the better.

I would like to thank all of you who bought tickets for the Menu for Hope V raffle to raise funds for the World Food Program this holiday season. I donated six giclée images that I created of the cities of Florence and Venice, Italy, printed on watercolor paper. We raised over $60,000. However, I have not yet received notice about which bidder won the prize. Check my blog in about a week or so for the winner:
http://artbyborsheim.blogspot.com

[portrait art]

Portrait of Artist Jimmy Whistler (Menpes?)

[portrait art]

Artist: Waterhouse Portrait Drawing

[portrait art]

Artist: Mary Watts

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Portrait Design + Anniversary Gift

[portrait art]

Alma-Tadema, Self Portrait

[portrait art]

Artist: Corcos

[portrait art]

Hayez, Self Portrait

I have always had a difficult time with labels. I understand the human need for order out of chaos, but grey areas are always difficult to classify. That is one reason I do not know how to respond to the well-intended compliment, "Your drawing looks just like a photograph!"

I have been working here in Florence, Italy, for a while now and one thing that I am focusing on is design. Namely, that what appears as realistic in art is actually an organization of abstracted shapes created by the artist, but inspired by Nature. While I do consider photography to be an art form, I am now speaking of the traditional fine art media of drawing and painting - and generally how they differ from the look of photography.

To try to fully understand this concept, I have been studying portraiture. I include on this page some images I had on hand of 19th century British and Italian paintings and drawings. I think it would be safe to say that even someone unfamiliar with art and its lingo would call these works "realistic" while at the same time never confuse them with photographs. These artworks LOOK like real and believable individuals, but without the reality of standard photography. Does this help you see what I am getting at? It is a visual concept and so images are the best way to describe the process.

I am also including here some recent images of a drawing that I started on this week. While I am drawing Jessica's full body, these close-up images of the face show my process of design a little bit (and how often I change my mind about the shapes and tones). Perhaps you can see the star-shape of the shadow in the eye area? The shape of this shadow changes depending on whether the model's eyes are open or closed since the 'legs of the star' are created by her eyelashes. I get to choose the shape that pleases me. Follow my blog if you would like to watch the creation of this drawing.

[portrait art]

Artist: Leighton Burton

[portrait art]

Artist: Boldini

[portrait art]

Artist: Zandomenighi

[portrait art design of a drawing]

***

Since this January marks my eighth anniversary as a full-time artist, I wanted to do something special. I love working with the human form, but since I am talking about portraiture now, I would like to share something with you in this area.

Allora, for this month, I am offering to create a portrait for you of a loved one (alive or gone). And then I will ship it anywhere in the world from Italy for free. Portrait prices are below and based on the medium and size you desire.

And you do not even need to leave your home. I often work via e-mail correspondence -- sending images along the way for client feedback. Let me turn your photographs into a fine art drawing or painting. So if you would like to send me a photograph of the person(s) you want to have a portrait of, please contact me. My e-mail address is sculptor@borsheimarts.com or visit my Web site ( http://borsheimarts.com ) and click on the "Contact Artist" link.

When I work from photos, I prefer no flash. Directional lighting is more flattering and dimensional. More than one photo is helpful to let me see something more of the personality. I also need a signed and dated release from the photographer to allow me to use the image to create a drawing (copyright stays with the photographer, I only need a one-time release/permission to use the image). Contact the studio on this and I will send you simple instructions.

[portrait art]

Portrait of Nestor, pencil,
3x3 inches, 2008
by Kelly Borsheim

You may choose (and payment plans are accepted):

Half life-size or smaller in pencil: $300 per head/person
Life-size (approx.) in charcoal: $500 per head/person
Life-size oil painting - monochromatic (sepia): $700 per head/person
If you prefer color, a life-size pastel drawing: $600 per head/person, life-size
Plus, FREE SHIPPING from Florence, Italy.

Please let me know if this is a gift or if you are having another deadline (such as an anniversary party or wedding) so that I can make sure you receive your original art on time. And of course, if you are here in Florence, Italy, I would love to make a drawing of you from life.

Thank you for your continued interest and support.

"Donatello's Portrait of Niccolò da Uzzano"
(the banker of the famous Medici family
during Florence, Italy's Renaissance)
64 cm x 46 cm
charcoal drawing with white pastel 2008
by Kelly Borsheim
grey Roma paper
Please Inquire

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New Art

I am so thrilled to bring you this completed black and white drawing "Donatello's Portrait of Niccolò da Uzzano" finished recently.

Donatello was an Italian sculptor who influenced Michelangelo. His terra-cotta and painted bust of the banker of the Medici family (of Renaissance fame) is one of the most memorable sculptures in the Bargello Museum here in Florence. When I got the opportunity to create a drawing from a gesso (plaster) cast of the "Niccolò da Uzzano," I jumped on it.

He took me about three months to draw, using the sight-size method, but I am very pleased with this effort. I hope you love him as well. (One of my friends swears that this Nic looks like the actor Nicholas Cage. What do you think?) At this publishing date, he is available, so do not be shy about taking him home!
Niccolò da Uzzano was a businessman, after all . . .

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Recent Blog Topics:

Interested? Subscribe online at:
http://artbyborsheim.blogspot.com
(This is a different subscription list than the one for this art newsletter.)

Thank you for reading and by all means, forward this newsletter on to anyone you think would enjoy it.

Pace (peace),
Kelly Borsheim
9 January 2009

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If you enjoy Borsheim Art News, please forward it to friends and colleagues. It comes to you about 6-8 times a year from Cedar Creek, Texas-based artist Kelly Borsheim.

Borsheim Art Newsletter:

----------------------------------- Portrait Design + Anniversary Gift

----------------------------------- New Art

---------------- Recent Blog Topics:

-----------------------------------
Portrait Design + Anniversary Gift

-----------------------------------
New Art

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Recent Blog Topics: