Bruce was a reluctant model, as you can see. I like this study because of its energy and the quickly chiselled marks made with a soft pencil. My work ranges between the energised, raw things like this and the more ‘apollonian’, refined images which have been worked less frantically. NFS
Portrait of Bruce by Alan Dedman
This is another work of mine which was shown last year at Clifton Arts Club’s 101st Annual exhibition. Titled ‘the General’ it is taken from a photo published in the Daily Telegraph, 1984. The man in the image was a retired colonel, nicked for speeding. I liked the pose and his look of complicity and guilt fitted the content of a Wilfred Owen poem titled ‘the General’. So I painted it, using gouache paint. I added all the colour and gave him an Eton tie? Telegraph photo’s of the day were still in black and white. The painting is for Natalia to look at, she being a student of mine. It demonstrates my imaginative treatment of the ‘nuclear’ exterior, beyond the window. All made up, by means of artistic licence. 550 gbp
The general by Alan Dedman
This is a fine sketch I did of an old woman whilst she was sleeping. Corpse like, she lies there, eyes closed and mouth open. Unaware of the world and me. I like the thorough way I’ve looked at and recorded the form by use of line. Her face looks like a mask. Her glasses help define the shape of her head. This is the only sketch I made of this person.
Old woman sleeping sketched by Alan Dedman
My portrait painting (shown here) wasn’t selected for the National Portrait Award 2010 as sponsored by British Petroleum. However, the effort I made in my third ever art competition wasn’t all wasted. My model came forward six weeks before the hand in date so I had to work, under pressure, and from photo’s more than I wanted, I like to work directly from observation. The Victorian Gothic window in my studio and January sunlight helped to give an air of ‘golden optimism’ to the picture. I will be doing a number of portraits this year and will re-try for selection next year, 2011.
See: www.alan-dedman-artist.co.uk
Portrait of Anna by Alan Dedman