Friday 24 February 2012

Handmade Notebook


I'm so chuffed to have made this notebook, using one of my photos for the cover, that I just had to share it with you! I'm thinking of doing some to sell at my stall at a charity do in Morpeth, Northumberland on 8th March. Take a look at my facebook page for details.

Photo Friday #4

Tynemouth Pier
Tynemouth Pier
I love the sky and clouds on this shot so I made them the focus of the picture.



Thursday 23 February 2012

Mother's Day Cards

 With Mother's Day approaching, I thought I'd add a couple of cards to my collection.

Snowdrops
Snowdrops
Anemone
Anemone


Both cards are £2 each and £1.50 p+p from my fine art website
(p+p is free with orders over £10)

Friday 17 February 2012

Fine Art Photo Friday #3

Newcastle Gateshead
Newcastle-Gateshead

It's unusual that the river is so still that you get reflections on the Tyne. I love the warm colours of the buildings on an overcast day.

Thursday 16 February 2012

Inspirations ~ Richard Avedon

Back in college I did a talk to the class about Richard Avedon, one of the greatest fashion photographers of all time. Looking back on the images, I can say that I still love his photographic style.

Fashion Photography 1

Richard Avedon was born in New York in 1923 and when he was 21 he found a job as a photographer in a department store. Within 2 years he had been discovered by an art director at Harper's Bazaar and was also producing images for Vogue and a number of other fashion magazines. Not bad for a 23 year old! In these first years he made his living in advertising but his real passion was portraiture.


Fashion Photography 2His style was sophisticated and famed for it's minimalism. Well lit and in front of white backdrops it wouldn't look out of place in today's portrait studios.

In fact, while researching the photographs which I chose for this post, I didn't realise how modern the image to the right is.

Taken in about 1993 for Versace, it still has the same quality as Avedon's earlier fashion shoots. They all appear timeless.


Fashion Photography 3
This photograph of Dovima in a Dior dress, with elephants from 1955 is definitely the most famous fashion photograph of all time. Dovima was Avedon's favourite model at the time. She was truly a supermodel, being the most highly paid model of her era.

The black evening gown was the first dress designed for Dior by his new assistant Yves Saint Laurent. It makes you wonder how his career would have gone if another photographer had been commissioned?

This was one of my favourite images but after seeing the elephant image at the top, I prefer that one. I love the repitition of Dovima's arm with the shape of the trunks. So clever and elegant. It seems to give cohesion to the photograph instead of wondering why a beautifully dressed model is posing with elephants.

Fashion Photography 4



This image with the umbrella was a homage to a photographer called Martin Munkacsi.

He was a Hungarian sports photographer who went to New York to work for Harper's Bazaar. He often left the studio to shoot outdoors, perhaps an influence from the sports photography days.

Avedon said that he "Brought a taste for happiness and honesty and a love of women to what was, before him, a joyless, loveless, lying art." This is certainly reflected in this photograph.



Fashion Photography 5



This is one of my favouite Avedon photographs. Stylish and simple. I love the profile of the model with her curling eyelashes.

When I came across this image, I suddenly recognised it as being a painting which I had done to put in my room during college. I obviously loved it then and certainly love it now!

That gives me another idea...a watercolour image of this photograph. It would be fun to put colours to it although it looks stunning in black and white.

Watch this space!








If you'd like to explore more of Richard Avedon's fabulous photogaphs please visit the Richard Avedon foundation website.

Friday 10 February 2012

Fine Art Photo Friday #2

This door caught my eye because it was purple...then I noticed how many handles it had!

How Many Door Handles?
How many door handles?


Tuesday 7 February 2012

Kaleidoscope #2

This kaleidoscope was taken from a photo of a rose. I love the little drops of water in the central circle.

Kaleid Red Red Rose

Thanks for looking.

Saturday 4 February 2012

Sometimes She Wished She Could Fly Away

A couple of nights ago I went to the ballet. The Sleeping Beauty. It was so fabulous, it inspired me to try to paint a picture of a dancer. In the past years I've always stuck to landscapes as I could never draw or paint figures and faces. I thought that it was time for a challenge though.

I did a sketch from a photograph.

dancer 1

Usually I draw the outline in pencil first but I wanted to try to paint the dancer in to keep a more loose style. I was pleased with the first blocking in.

dancer 2

I started to form the features in the face. I was going to use the same paint for the flesh as the dress but then decided it might look a little more realistic if I tried to make it a little more flesh coloured. I got some tips from this video by Selina Fenech. I used slightly different colours to her though.

dancer 3

The dress was started in Alizarin Crimson (I think! To be honest, I usually use up what's left on my palette from last time.) I used Ultramarine and Burnt Umber for the flesh tones and the background.

dancer 4

I was going to keep the dress to one colour in different shades but decided to add some Ultramarine to make the purple shadows and give the skirt a little more depth.

dancer 5

The finished picture was taken on a different camera hence the slightly different quality to the colours.
Over all, I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Especially the face and hands - both bug bears of mine! I also like the way the skirts look a little a butterflies wings...which has given me an idea for a second painting!


Sometimes She Wished She Could Fly Away

I'd love to hear your thoughts on my attempt at figure painting!
Thanks for looking.







Friday 3 February 2012

Fine Art Photo Friday #1

Welcome to the first fine art photo Friday! This is something I started on my facebook wedding page and I like it so much that it's crept onto my wedding blog and now here.

Swan Song
Swan Song

This photo was taken at Bolam Lake in Northumberland. I love the texture of the water and the droplets of water on the swan's head.

This image is available to buy from my fine art website.

Thank you for looking.

Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. Why don't you leave me a message to let me know you stopped by?

If you have any questions about purchasing any of the images or prints, please email me.

gillian@gilliancrossphotography.co.uk