Saturday 7 July 2012

Unknown Knight

Well, I'm sure someone knows who he is, but I don't.

When my wife and I stayed at Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales some weeks ago, I spent many hours wandering around the castle grounds and formal gardens taking hundreds of photo's as reference material for future drawings and paintings. One of the features I discovered was this statue of a Knight set into an alcove in the East wall of the castle. Despite asking a few people at the time, and checking online since, I've failed to learn the identity of this guy.

I run various painting and drawing projects in my art forum, the primary aim of which is to encourage, help and challenge beginners. I chose this chappy for the most recent drawing project as I thought it might be a good way to tempt people who don't normally draw people, to draw a person without really drawing a person, if you know what I mean. LOL. Anyway, this was my effort and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

33 comments:

  1. I thought it was a black and white photo! Wow, John, what a great drawing!

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    1. Thank you very much Judy, you are kind. ;-)

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  2. That's what I thought, Judy! Brilliant drawing to go along with the lake district one. Totally professional and masterful.

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    1. Coming from a drawist of your skill John, that is indeed a compliment. Thank you.

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  3. Like the others I had to zoom in to see that it was a drawing. Amazing work.

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  4. I thought exactly the same as Judy and John - a black and white photo, lol! So obviously brilliant!! :0)

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  5. This is an amazing drawing John...I thought it was a photograph in the thumbnail!

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  6. Incredibly well done...he is made in stone and you really made him in stone, fabulous work John !

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    1. Wow, thank you Jane. It was obviously important not to make his suit of armour look like 'armour' and I'm glad I succeeded.

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  7. Superb drawing, John. Yet again I thought 'Photo ... naaah, John can draw like that!' You are a real master with the graphite :)

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  8. I like the face peering out of the armour - cute. Great texture and solidity in the building.

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  9. Brilliant - I don't live far from Bodelwyddan although I'm ashamed to say I have never visited the castle - must rectify that! Great blog - following!

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    1. Hi Sharon, thank you for the lovely comment and for following. I don't know if you're aware but Bodelwyddan houses one of the regional collections of the National Portrait Gallery and it's well worth a visit for that alone. You must get there one day. ;-)

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  10. I'm another who thought - photo!

    Outstanding drawing, John. xx

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  11. Hi John,

    I thought this was a photo also. Great work!! Love the subject, very interesting.

    Sue

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    1. Thank you very much Sue, lovely to see you here.

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  12. Hi John.
    Me at last, sorry for the delay in commenting mate. It is a cracking Drawing. I love to see other Artist`s drawings. Well done John and all the best.
    Vic.

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    1. Hi Vic,
      I don't call that a delay .... it often takes me many days to get round to some of the blogs I follow and sometimes I don't even get there at all. Such is life, eh? I'm glad you like the drawing - thank you very much.
      All the best.
      John

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  13. Hi John,

    Wow Vic and I are both late getting over to you. I am also sorry for the delay. John, this drawing is marvelous, at first I thought it was a photo. You are truly a wonderful draftsman.

    All the best to you,
    Joan

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    1. Hi Joan,
      As I just said to Vic, there's no need to apologise. Thank you so much for the lovely comment, I really appreciate it.
      All the best Joan.
      John

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  14. Another superb drawing, John! I can only echo all the super things that have been said already! :)

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    1. Thank you Ingrid. It was great fun to do and you won't be surprised to hear, I really enjoyed it. ;-)

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  15. Another one of your masterpieces! I also thought it was a photo when I saw it at first. But as I know how good your drawings use to be I was curious and had to look ones more just to get some proof that it wasn´t just a photo! Lovely work John!
    I also had a look at your "community painting" today. It sounded like som real fun!!!

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    1. Thank you for such a lovely comment Catharina, it is greatly appreciated.
      The 'community painting' is indeed great fun, and it also highlights just how recognizable our individual styles really are. If you, or any of my other followers, would like to join in, just let me know using my Contact Form.

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    2. I sure will! I will come back to you about that matter!

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