Sunday 2 September 2012

If she were/was a boy...



... I would have called her Cliff!

Sorry, couldn't resist a little humour. I've never been one to take things too seriously, not even dreamy maidens hanging around dramatic seascapes. I'm just trying to lighten the sombre mood she gives off. Is she a ghost girl do you think, watching and waiting for her lover to return from his watery grave?

A little try-out sketch for a potential painting (and sharing for Sunday Sketches). I want this lady to meld into the sunset over the rocky coastline, her hair swirling with the waves as they float up to the shore. Inspired by the Pre-Raphaelites.

Speaking of Rosetti and chums, there is an upcoming exhibition of their work at Tate Britain... I am thinking a little trip to our capital city... Anyone want to join me?

Postscript
I spent much time deliberating over the correct use of was & were in the title. What a conundrum. She's ghostly, so that implies past tense (was), but she's also somewhat improbable where you might wish to to use 'were'. In the end I couldn't decide and used both. You decide! (I would hate to be picked up for being grammatically incorrect!)

28 comments:

  1. MARVELOUS. What a beautiful one and what a humour. Fantastic. Also gorgeous work, the lady and the sunset. LOVE IT.
    Lovely greet and a nice Sunday
    Marja
    (marjascreativity)

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  2. Love your sketch........but the humour ugh....its even worse then mine. x

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  3. That girl has been crying, a lot!! She is grieving a loved one and has come to cliff for comfort!!Everyone needs the ocean...she definitely had an Ocean of tears to shed!! She's still in pain!! Excellent illustration, with so much story behind her eyes!

    Hugs Giggles

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  4. Gorgeous sketch and I love how the colors overlay and the image melts into the background!

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  5. I would have a tough time choosing the title too! They both work - as does your gorgeous sketch! Wonderful as always, xoxo

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  6. Oh she looks so winsome and sad. I'm so sorry for her loss. She needs to get on line to one of those dating sites and meet a new man, preferrably NOT another sailor. They too often go down with their ships.I wish her well.

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  7. Oh she's waiting for her sailor for sure! ;) Pretty colors! She does look so wistful. I know, I'm so dead serious with my work too. hehe Happy SS!

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  8. I like her, but I want to give her a hug--her eyes look lonely and in need of a cuddle. Good job getting that expression in there.

    BTW, the correct verb is "were"--a clause that starts with "if" needs the conditional tense because you are speculating about something that does not currently exist. English doesn't have different forms for conditional like some other languages do, so it uses a form of "would" for the conditional. So now you have clarity :-).

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  9. She's very beautiful against the sunset in that ghostly way!

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  10. Pretty, I really like how she's blending with the background. Will make for a pretty painting.

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  11. If the sketch is anything to go by, the painting should be stunning :)

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  12. I think she is lovely as she is/was... I think the pencils are great and wouldn't paint it... I love it just as it is... of course you will make it into something amazing and then I will look like a goose for saying that...xx

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  13. She looks ethereal....just lovely!

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  14. Wistful and sad! Lots of emotion. Great!

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  15. I like the use of both tenses - it sort of let's you know she is neither here nor there - but somewhere :)
    Her nose is slightly red - has she been crying? Poor dear.

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  16. She is absolutely lovely. I love the beauty and emotion found in this piece. :)

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  17. I like the idea of her ghost waiting and walking among the craggly rocks in search of her long lost love....

    This would make an excellent painting :)

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  18. I like her as she is but know that I will like what you do to her - as usual.
    cheers, dana

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  19. She's quite lovely, you do such beautiful work. I would love to see that exhibition, but alas, I am so far away...

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  20. I say use both words in your title, love it the way it is. Grammar...always ruins writing. ;) Just pour the heart out on a page and the rest will flow.
    The true gift is not writing but listening, and the key to listening is removing every hindrance that begs for attention, such as perfectionism, rules, and the expectations of scrupulous readers and critics. Write for yourself. :)
    Loved browsing your page.
    Marcia

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  21. She's very mystical, and as with all your paintings she tells a story without the need for words. I like the use of white space behind the face, it really adds something.

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  22. Woah, I Love your work, it looks great.

    Awesome arts and words!

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  23. What an ethereal painting. She's ghostly,beautiful,sad and enchanting all rolled into one. I love the idea of her hair flowing into the sunset and the breaking waves on the rocks.

    Have a wonderful trip to the capital. Sounds like fun. I wish I were nearer as I'd love to accompany you.

    XO,
    Tammy

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  24. I lost my last comment half way through typing.... I love the flowing style of this! And i am right there with you on your last post... I have been painting over last years art too, thinking why did i show people that!

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Thank you for your comments - I always love to hear what you think :)

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