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Hamlet, oil on canvas
Assignment presented by Jon Foster
The assignment was to draw a book character, and to convey definite thoughts and emotions by gestures and facial expression.
The man in the portrait is wearing a dark jerkin, blood-red cloak, dark beret pulled down on his eyes, mouth somehow twisted, light-haired.
The illustration depicts early morning at the upper terrace of Ellsinore.
That night, the Ghost appears to Hamlet and reveals to him that he is the spirit of his father, murdered by Claudius. Hamlet gives his promise to take revenge upon his uncle. Hamlet' emotional life, all his loves and hatreds, was reversed overnight.
Red fabric indicates the violent emotions experienced by the character, while his dark clothes are the outer sign of his inner grief and hesitation.
Soft light is shining from the upper left corner. The contours of the castle are not clear; however, there is a relative clarity of elements in the space around him with an emphasis on his figure. He is not looking at the viewer; there is no sense of interaction with the character, who appears to be consumed by his emotions. His face is painted in a warm palette, forming a contrast with gloomy, grayish and desaturated staircase.
Complex emotions of distress, isolation, anger, revenge, hate, and anxiety are reflected at his face.
Special thanks to John English who helped with rendering facial features.
