More than cubism and rondism
This graphite pencil drawing 'Cleopatra - 23-02-24' refers to a work under the same name I made in 2018. That year, I started my series 'Out of Egypt' and in retrospect, I can see that this was not without a reason. Art Deco has been on my mind for a while under which banner I can show more. Cubism is very beautiful and I have even forged my own style 'Roundism' from it, but I want more. Egyptian art I consider a great and heavy precursor to Art Deco. Of course, the latter was immediately influenced after the discovery of pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb. Certainly, those Egyptians had style and swag. I intend this drawing to serve as a bridge between great artistic eras, separated by oceans of time.
Hollywood
I believe the reference photo is from the 1920s and shows hefty amounts of light and dark. This phenomenon, also known as 'chiaroscuro', can be characterised by abrupt shifts in tonal values. This creates a certain dramatic effect; meat for the beast I would say! Why Cleopatra next? Something struck me: Lawrence Alma Tadema's paintings from the ancient world served as an inspiration for Hollywood. Without his artworks, films like Ben Hur, Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments and Gladiator would not have been made.
Young as I was when I started drawing and painting I started my professional art career at age 35 after ending a succesful carreer as a business lawyer. I kept on handling my brushes and pencils after childhood but never dreamed I could make a living out of art.
The..
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