Friday, May 16, 2008

Invoking Elsa Lanchester


I am not-so-secretly obsessed with Elsa Lanchester. Best known for her portrayal of the bride of Dr. Frankenstein's monster, hers is one of the few faces I could just sit and stare at all day. Her beauty is hypnotic: those massive, soulful eyes and her full, heart-shaped lips are more than enough to render me completely awestruck.

A couple of years ago, I determined that the one thing I enjoyed more than looking at Elsa Lanchester was painting her portrait. I find that it is very easy to lose myself in the contours of her face, and in her melancholy expressions. The exaggerated arch of her eyebrows serves as the climax of the piece for me, as the angle seems so severe as I am painting it, yet always looks beautiful, and delicate somehow upon completion.

The Bride
Acrylic on particle board


The Bride: Profile
Acrylic on canvas

2 comments:

Tenebrous Kate said...

I love these! The first painting is so Pop--very fabulous. A fitting and lovely tribute to Ms. Lanchester.

Kitty LeClaw said...

Thanks, Kate :o) I find myself most often doing tonal stuff because, in my books, there is no such thing as too much contrast! My television picture setting horrifies most people.