The Photo of the Month posts stopped in February this year after 10 photographs, one painting and a clever mock-up of a famous beer label. With fewer photos and more artistic creations, the series title made less sense, but I’ve received so many excellent examples of work inspired by David and his music, as you can see by today’s chosen piece, I’ve had to bring it back.
I’ll let Lance explain his work-in-progress:
I wanted to sculpt David as he is pretty much the guitar Messiah as far as I’m concerned – ‘and I should know I’ve followed a few’!
Not just for the countless brilliant solos and vocals, but for being the George Bailey of rock’s Building and Loan. Without him the world would be a far less enjoyable place – it is nearly Christmas after all!
From an aesthetic point of view the individual facial features are quite unusual, but together they obviously make a pretty good looking bloke (even bald), the aim of this early portrait is to capture as much of that sparkle as possible. It should be close to life-sized, given that the distance between David’s pupils are roughly equal to the distance between fret 1 and fret 3 on a Stratocaster? I know – sad on so many levels!
Please note that, remarkably, Lance is not a professional sculptor. He welcomes any feedback and promises to keep us updated as to how the piece develops.
You can see his finished sculptures here.
My continued apologies to anyone who has sent me their very own work of art and is still waiting to see it featured here. There’ll be more this week and next.
If you haven’t seen what’s in the gallery… You really are a talented bunch.
Thanks again, Lance.
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Very, very good indeed!
How did you do this?
Would love to see some more pictures of the process…!
This is a great piece of work, Lance, in my opinion, though, the chin is a bit too big, but I might be wrong.
Thanks for sharing.
Unmistakably David! I want one!
Those gorgeous lips are captured perfectly.
Well, it’s prettier than one of Roger would be.
I know good art when I see it, well done Lance. Work of sublime art, my friend.
Happy Days,
Simon J
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by David Gilmour’s Blog, Isabella Rosa. Isabella Rosa said: RT @the_blog: Excellent work-in-progress David Gilmour sculpture: http://tinyurl.com/yznsd9x. Comments welcome. [...]
Wow, bravo, you captured the expression of David’s eyes very well (and not only his eyes), but, sorry, David is not bald.
You must be a football fan, too. I liked your sculpture of George Best… and appreciated the videos of Zinedine Zidane on your site…
that is stunning!
you should make it into a latex mask and sell copies, i’d buy one.
very nice… well done!
Sometimes… and you all know it’s true… you look at a piece of art and have that “what’s it supposed to be?” moment like when you’re looking at your small child’s drawing.
Not with this… wham, that’s David Gilmour. Even without any coloring or hair. How in the heck he managed that perfect, slightly amused look is beyond me.
Brilliant.
Wow, very good! I could almost hear him speaking.
Wow, what a gifted artist Lance is!
And how nice to see all the fans and their artwork on the gallery! Bringing back some great memories of the Odeon premiere too! Thanx Fed.
This is a great likeness of David, instantly recognizable right down to that smirk/smile that is David.
I admire art precisely because I cannot create it. If I draw, it looks like ink smeared across paper. Let’s not even consider what would happen were I to try to carve/sculpt/model. I admire music made with an instrument for the same reasons, though it’s a little different because I do sing.
Anyway, Lance is a gifted artist and I join the rest of the irregulars in thanking him for sharing his talent with us.
Very well done, Lance. You have a great talent.
That is excellent, good work…
wow , i am so impressed . it looks just like david gilmour .
i went to lance’s web site and saw his brilliant sculpture of george best .
he is an amazing artist .
speech. less.
Very nicely done, Lance. You’ve captured the twinkle in his eyes, which is amazing! And that mouth …
I happened to be listening to Poles Apart when I came upon David’s bust (that just sounds wrong) and it made perfect sense somehow!!!
Peace ‘n’ love,
Gabrielle
anniversaire heureux…
I send the same.
Blimey! Compliment over load! Not that I’m complaining, it’s very kind of you all to take the time – what a great incentive to finish. I tend to get a bit of tunnel vision after a while so it certainly helps to have second opinion or two, especially from those who are probably more qualified than most – fantastic!
In answer to some of the questions, it’s made of normal stoneware clay which is kept damp and therefore workable. Once I’m happy with the general features, and that chin, I’ll add more detail to the face and then finish with hair.
I believe everyone can sculpt, I often get caught in the detail and admire anyone who can capture an image with a few strokes. I’ve also made some real howlers in the past.
It really is a case of ‘the longer you look, the more you see’ – which can also be a curse of course!
I hope to send an update in a week or so, many thanks to all and of course to FEd.
My pleasure, Lance. Looking forward to your updates.
Wondering if his hair will be Pompeii-era length or present day… or maybe something in between. The Gilmourettes will be happy either way, I believe!
Looking forward to your updates, Lance.
Think I will have to disagree with you on this. You have a real talent in those hands. Seriously beautiful work.
I am wondering at which age you are trying to capture. We all know that David has been exceptionally good looking all his life, but I happen to personally prefer his present face.
By way of a critique only and not a criticism, you have captured the face well, except I always felt David had very high cheekbones without a lot of flesh underneath and the same with the cheeks and chin. Of course, today, his lips are still beautifully formed but not as full. Hope you don’t mind these comments from someone who can really appreciate your work but has NO talent in that area at all. I do know, however, how hard it can be to get the proportions right. I feel the eyes are most difficult and yours are splendid (also, as with the cheeks, ears should be more delicate as well. Although I can not tell if you have finished them.)
Your talent is wonderful.
Jan
That’s brilliant, especially the lips.
If Santa is reading this I’d like one of those (made of chocolate) for Christmas, please.
Amazing likeness, really.
I’ve always found fascinating how sculptors can shape materials to recreate something and, particularly, human faces, with all their quickly moving expressions.
The abilities of talented artists like you, Lance, will always remain a mystery to me.
Looking good.
Me too.
Not really, but then again, maybe. I’ll have a closer look at my Strat next time it’s out of its case.
Cheers.
Amazing sculpture.
You really captured David’s features. You can tell that it’s David straight away.
Nice segue from yesterday’s heavy topic Fed!!
Cheers, Howard
P.S. Very nice sculpture indeed.
Wow! Excellent artwork Lance, thanks very much for sharing. I look forward to seeing your progress and the finished piece.
Take Care. CT
Way to go Lance!
If you want an earlier version of David, find a long wig to emphasize his younger days.
Incredible!! What an amazing resemblance to David! It will be absolutely priceless in the future.
Lance, you’ve really made an indelible mark in the music and art world (are they separate?) and I wish you all the luck in the future.
very nice work, the resemblance is striking.
Uauuuu…LINDO!
Lance:
Beautiful work of a beautiful face. You have really captured Davids’ face and expression. Depending on what age you are going for. I hope you post a side view as well. The eyes and nose are especially spot on.
Jan
Thanks again for all the encouragement.
Jan:
Thank you for you kind comments and very astute observations, you must have some creative talents with that sort of eye for detail!
Age is a very good point. I started this with an early portrait in mind but as it takes form, it appears to me that the face staring back is probably older than I first imagined and I’m not sure if I want to change it. This is probably due to using more references for that era than any other.
While I hope it’s going to be pretty close as a retrospective study, I don’t feel that scale or detail are as much of an issue, where as contemporary portrait (I’m available at short notice!) would require more detailed photographs and measurements simply because they exist, if that makes sense.
I’ll be putting a load more images of work in progress (not all forward steps) on my site and send Fed an update before Christmas.
Thanks again – all critiques welcome.
Lance
Lance:
Art was a favorite subject and easy for me. However, my mom and my sister really had all the talent. I can execute, but you need more than that. Much is in the eye and creative brain, at least that is how I feel. Just like Julie’s oils. I find her work very refreshing to look at. Very clean. Some artists really pour on the oils and I always wonder what they have covered up underneath the layers. You can’t put a price on creative originality. It can’t be taught.
I am looking forward to seeing the completion of Davids’ face and I am certain it will be wonderful. As I mentioned before, I find as the eyes are the souls windows, they are difficult to do and yours have captured his expression well.
Jan
FE’d: thank for letting the bloggers post their art work. What a talented bunch. Starting with Ian’s glassman from ages ago.