Ok well over a week has gone by but I have been busy.  So here is another study of a Martin Schongauer piece called "A Foolish Virgin" from the late 1400's.  The original piece is only six inches tall and has an incredible amount of detail.  I was working off a murky laser print copy.  I drew a vertical and horizontal midpoint line across the copy to get my bearings and then eyeballed the rest.  My study is slightly elongated vertically.  For most of the finish work I experimented with a grease pencil and gritty ink brush (digital versions).  My favorite parts of the etching are the turban and the garment draped over her right arm.  I am also drawn to the sensuality expressed in the neck and breasts.  The loose hair tied in a loop over her left shoulder is a nice touch.  She is supposed to be holding an inverted lamp - like in the new testament parable.  Another artist Urs Graf, made a study of this piece a few years later, and kind of botched the face.

 

I am not very satisfied with my study.  But the purpose was to practice using Manga Studio for the second time.  I definitely like being able to turn the image 90 degrees, or upside down to get a fresh look at proportions.  I think I learned quite a bit because my next study turned out better.

 

 

View the original engraving at  http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/art-object-page.45803.html