14.3.10

Hail Mary, Full of Grace

I have wanted to try and do an illustration of Mary for quite awhile, so finally got down to it tonight!

6 comments:

anthony said...

No offence meant, but there's something not quite right about the eyes. They seem rather tired, even vacant.

PaperSmyth said...

And I was just going to say the eyes looked soft and unassuming. (Guess there's no accounting for tastes.)

Paul Nichols said...

Love it love it love it. Great job!

c.lewis said...

Thanks Anthony, I understand, and I questioned this myself, but I have always preferred the more solemn looking Mary, many of the statues of Our Lady of Guadeloupe for example have sort of distant or heavy eyes, to me it represented her humility, like when she says 'who am I that the Lord should come to me?'.... but I know art is so subjective, so I know not everyone will like this sort of representation. :)

Thanks all for the kind words!!

anthony said...

Ok, I understand what you are trying to achieve. I agree that it wouldn't befit Our Lady to have an extra-alert-looking stare. To portray her gentleness, humility and modesty, the eyes would be at least a little heavy and downcast.

I still stand by my original comment, though I'm not sure what to suggest. (Is it the irises?...) I know from my own experience that drawing eyes are tough and often define a portrait! May I commend your efforts and encourage you to keep at it.

May I ask what medium did you use to make this artwork?

c.lewis said...

This is completely done in Illustrator... I used to be more of a pencil + pen artist, but since I bought a pen tablet, I have really been drawn to the possibilities in Illustrator... all of my recent work is Illustrator-based - thanks again for your feedback my friend!