Mark Rylance and Wolf Hall
I have recently read “The Mirror and the Light”, the third book in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilology, which is as enthralling as the first two. I was reminded of Mark Rylance’s wonderful performances in the TV productions, and decided to attempt a portrait of him in character.
I didn’t do a preliminary drawing for this, as I felt with the complications of the costume I would get discouraged and give up. I tried instead to draw him from a photo on the internet which shows him in much happier mood to give me a better idea of his features.
Not much of a likeness, but just concerned to get some idea. The mouth a little too long and the noise a bit too straight.
I can almost name drop here. I was a volunteer steward at the Globe Theatre for several years. Sadly Mark was no longer Director, but postcards would arrive for the volunteers when he was in some new place, or starting a new production, which I thought was rather nice. So, although I never met him, I did read his postcards.
I am a great admirer of Holbein, and have seen his portraits of Cromwell in the National Portrait Gallery. Click on the link https://www.npg.org.uk/
Of course, we have no way of knowing how accurate his portraits were, but the most important and wealthy people paid him to paint them so he must have been pretty much on the nail. You wouldn’t want to upset the Tudors would you? I did not not warm to the Cromwell in his pictures, as I do to Hilary’s and Mark’s portrayal.
Enough gossip – on with the picture – oh, but I must add, Rylance fan that I am, if you haven’t seen Ben Miller’s wonderful take off in “Upstart Crow” do watch it – still available on iplayer. Series 3, episode 3 Click on the link https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b0959g26/upstart-crow?seriesId=b0bhr4cs
Not too bad a result, though I chickened out on the fur collar. Holbein did wonderful fur – I need more practice!
I use movie stills a lot for practice portraits. Why look at yourself in a mirror when you could be looking at Brad Pitt, or Tom Hanks? I use this site http://moviestillssdb.com For a small annual subscription you can download up to 100 pictures. The only condition is that you don’t use them to advertise or promote anything other than the film.