Vaughan Williams with his cat Foxy
It was this picture that made me begin this project. The idea that seeing a person whose image you are used to seeing in a certain way with a pet, can change your view of that person, or maybe just reinforce it.
When I began this I realised that I knew very little of Vaughan Williams himself. His music yes, but otherwise just this benign image, and now, a benign image which includes a cat. I found a biography that looked promising, but sadly it concentrated entirely on his musical achievements, with precious little of his personal life, let alone of a cat. I shall try another biography to see if I can find out more.
I have done a preliminary sketch on the tablet. Once again I need to leave more room at the bottom of the picture to make sure that it is clear that he is holding a cat, and not just a severed head!
I am going to use Canson Touch sanded paper, as it gives a softer look, and there is a lot of suit to deal with..
Also in the photograph the figure emerges from deep shadow. I must decide whether to try to achieve that effect, or to ignore the photograph and just do an all over sympathetic background. I quite like the shadow idea ,as if I can find out more about him he will be emerging from the shadows.
Still only half finished. My ambition to have a new picture to post every week, was a bit ambitious I think. Perhaps every two weeks is more realistic.
I am continuing to read a biography and have found reference to the portrait photograph being taken by a local man “Mr. Vaughan Williams with his cat Foxy”. I also found this refeerence – “It was in 1899 that Ralph and Adeline moved into their first permanent home, taking a lease on 10, Barton Street, a substantial house in Westminster. Although its plumbing was rudimentary the house provided a measure of privacy: they could entertain their friends and relatives, it had a small workroom for Ralph, and he could keep a cat – the first of many of those endearing creatures with whom he felt a great affinity.
Here is the finished picture – it has photographed a little pale, and I have ended not knowing much more about the man himself, though it is clear from his correspondence and that of his wife Adeline, that there were cats all through their married life that they cared for a great deal. I shall read more and add to this.