This photo gives some idea of the old-fashioned nature of the display; it's from the museum's "behind the scenes" section, showing some of the objects in close-up, wonderful details. (More about photographing arms and armour, from the European collection this time, is here.) -
Drawing in that room requires close looking, and closing your eyes to other objects in the case.
Another approach is to go looking for details. I made a grid on a page and set to work, limbering up as I went along -
The item numbers are "just in case" there was time to look them up and take a few notes. There wasn't. Here are close-ups of some of the items -
Difficult conditions for photos - reflections, glare, lighting.... but what wonderful craftsmanship, what attention to detail.
For the rest of the morning I focused on this case -
First several views of the powder horn on the right, trying to capture the shape and shadow -
The velvet was decorated with sequins and metallic threads -
After that, a grapple with a sword hilt -
Not wide enough! |
The real thing (except it's really 3D, not 2D) |
Such detailed decoration, how do they do it? |
Then the best bit of the day - coffee/lunch and the revelation of sketchbooks.
Janet's horseman, from the rear. She used a "blunt HB pencil" - and no eraser |
Michelle's quick continuous-line sketch and tonal drawing of a crumpled gold head |
Caryl caught the metallic qualities of the helmet |
Sue used graphite and a little added colour |
1 comment:
I must really go see the Wallace collection some time. A lot of my historical inspiration books have references to it.
Great idea for the grid and trying to focus on detail.
A recent Antiques Roadshow described how they did the patterning and 'engraving' on swords and the like, but at present I can't recall the technique exactly.
Sandy
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