Looking back through miniatures I have made over the years, I was surprised to find that a lot were portraits. Some of real people, others imaginary. For an upcoming miniatures exhibition I decided to submit two hand made books which I made previously, plus three new drawings. Both the books featured faces, all men. One book, called Rogues Gallery is a gallery of mug shots based on the faces of Sydney criminals from the early 1920s. The other, the Beard Album, was made like a Victorian photo album, showing bearded men, maybe from a previous era, maybe from today.
The new drawings were inspired by images found randomly, then drawn, redrawn and altered and adapted for my purposes – they are meant to look like real people, but not be real people. For these I wanted older men, who had the marks of life on their faces, for whom I could invent a back story. I have given each a name which seemed to suit the kind of person he is. I don’t intend to share the stories I have for each of them – I want the viewer to create their own.
Below are some more miniature portraits from the past, done using different media, ranging from graphite to brush pen, scratchbord and coloured pencil. They are all roughly 7 x 6 cm in size.
anna warren portfolio 
These are such treasures, individually, and collectively in the books. I’m blown away by your drawing skills (as always) and at the different approaches and media in the pieces. I am reminded of one of my favourite ever artists, Georges Seurat, and his conté drawings. Your tonal contrasts are so dreamy! It is fun to scrutinize the various personalities of your men.
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I just googled Seurat’s drawings, I know his paintings well, but not the drawings. Aren’t they wonderful!! You have given me a huge compliment, and it does inspire me to try more of his approach, there is such a wonderful understated sense of mystery in his work. I even think I might do a bit more on the three new ones now … thanks Julie, your insight is invaluable!
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Anna, I’m so thrilled that my words have had this impact. Georges Seurat is best known for his pointillism but I love his drawings far more than his paintings…and have loved them for my whole lifetime. No wonder you related so much to the drawings when you looked yesterday because you already are “on the same page” so to speak as him. Oh – and Merry Christmas!!!
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They were such a revelation – although some were very familiar, I have never known his drawings as a body of work. Definitely an area for me to explore further. And a very happy Christmas to you too!
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These portraits are so beautiful; i could look at them forever.These men are so expressive. They are from another time but yet I know them. I love the books.I with you the best for 2020!
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Saying that you know these men is such a wonderful comment Nancy. It makes them real. I enjoyed drawing them, and felt their personalities gradually emerged with the drawing. Thank you so much! All good wishes to you for a happy, creative 2020, looking forward to seeing what you do this year!
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Happy new year Anna !
Aah I’ve enjoyed making up my own interpretation on the lives of these men . Each really does appear from your representation in the mediums you’ve used a personality that bears wondering and thinking about .
Fabulous art work as always.
Wishing you the very bestest of 2020 and the new decade that awaits .
Love Poppy x
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Happy New year to you too Poppy! I’m delighted you are finding your own stories for these men. (I’ve just realised, there is one solitary woman, the Aboriginal woman towards the bottom – wonder why I mostly do men?) Its lovely to hear from you, and I’m looking forward to seeing all sorts of good stuff from you in 2020! xx
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Those are fantastic! I love anything miniature.
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Thank you – there is something very precious about miniatures isn’t there?
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I can’t even explain it to people who don’t enjoy miniatures. I always have love miniature stuff. After seeing the documentary about Mr. Rogers, I realized maybe it started with his mini city that is on his show at the beginning of the show.
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I think it is something to do with having to really look inside that is the pleasure of miniatures. I haven’t seen the movie about Mr Rogers, I do intend to when I can.
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It is really good. Did you watch the series as a child? It helps to know what the real shows were like.
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I grew up in the UK, so I had never heard of the show till the film came out – it certainly sounds as though it was an important part of American children’s lives!
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It seems sort of corny now, because of animation and all that, but the heart behind it is amazing.
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