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Thursday, April 1, 2010

My New Class With Suzi & I'm In Her Book!!!

I've started Suzi's new class, and she's teaching us the 3/4 view and also the side view.  She's only put the first lesson up, and it's teaching us the 3/4 view--a bit tricky to say the least.  I must say that her videos are very detailed--there's 4 of them, and they're each about 30 min.--give or take.  She's fashioning these faces after the Tudor era.  Now, I have no idea what this era was like, and she recommends in her class for us to watch the Showtime series The Tudors to get the feel of the era.

And if you have Netflix, the first 2 seasons are down-loadable on your computer.  So I started watching the first season.  The Tudors is basically about the reign of King Henry VIII, and let me tell you--I'm hooked!  From what I've watched so far, I've learned that the role of women back then  was to serve the man in every way, and your only asset was your beauty.  Forget about your intelligence--women never even received an education.  This is the way it was, and this is the way women accepted it.  Now mind you, this show is the only information that  I'm relying on for this time in  history, but I have a feeling it was pretty true--remember this was the  1500's.

And King Henry, ah yes, King Henry--from what I read , he became king when he was 18--he went on to have 6 wives, but wives or not, he  was  quite  the  lady's man---And I'll just leave it at that ; )

So for our first drawing, Suzi wants us to sketch a younger version of Queen Elizabeth--

I'm going to say that this is a portrait of her before she retired for the night, because she doesn't look much like royalty.  And my Elizabeth  will proceed to have many daughters and grandaughters also named Elizabeth, because, I can assure you  she is the first of many of my 3/4 views practice.  And did you know that Elizabeth had a sister--she was the ugly one--I drew her too, but remember if you didn't have beauty back then , you had nothing--so she was always  pushed in the background.  Her name was Mabel. (poor Mabel--she never had a chance--she's in my sketch pad, and that's where she's staying for no one else to see)


So I didn't want to say anything until I had it my hands so I could believe it for myself--yes I'm in Suzi's book.  This came in the mail today!



I'm on page 2, and it's not a full-page spread, but I don't care.  I've been published--this is a first for me, and what a thrill to be in Suzi's first publication.  This journal girl is one of the first faces that I made, and I remember just a year ago watching her videos and just loving her funky art.  I've always  been afraid of faces, but I've always wanted to try them, and with Suzi's help--I'm learning.  Thank you Suzi Blu so much  for encouraging me like this!

44 comments:

  1. First of all, you make me feel all sad because of Mabel :-( Now you're hiding her as well ! You should be ashamed of yourself LOL You know what Suzi says : You're an artist !! Show your work ! Just kidding, I can totally understand you. And your Elizabeth getting ready for the night looks gorgeous, I wish I could draw a face like that ;-) This 3/4 view looks very difficult. Sorry to be rambling .....
    Anyway, congrats on the publication too, that's so super great !

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  2. First, let me say congratulations. You truly deserve the honor of being in Suzi's book. Your faces are fantastic and now everyone who sees this book will know what I've known since the first face I saw on your blog.

    Now, as for Elizabeth, HMMM. Glad to hear she's not the Queen. Queen Elizabeth I wasn't the most beautiful, at least based on any portrait I've ever seen of her. Maybe that's why she was known as the "Virgin Queen." You sure make this Elizabeth beautiful, though.

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  3. You are awesome. This is terrific news. You are so talented and now it's printed for the world to see. Rock on! You are now Princess of Creative Britches! (We used to call my sister, Crabby Britches.) LOL Now you are all famous and stuff, remember your bloggy friends. Giggle!

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  4. Oh wow - huge congratulations!!! I have watched many dramas and films about Henry and his many wives and children over the years - the most ridiculous was probably the film.. Was it called Elizabeth with Cate Blanchet was it? Anyway it ends with her in full armour on horseback on the white cliffs of Dover seeing off the Spanish - quite hilarious! I'm sure your Elizabeth is much prettier than the original. If anyone wants a real taste of Elizabethan England, I suggest they watch BlackAdder II. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z73qdgOn96s

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  5. I'm doing the "happy dance" for you, Diane! Congratulations on being published! Good for you! Watching the "Tudors" is absolutely addictive. That series was done soooo well. Loved every episode! Your Elizabeth is lovely! Hugs, Terri xoxo

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  6. Well YEA for you being published!! That's so exciting! Lile your Elizabeth and blog story, too.

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  7. OH, Diane - this is wonderful news on your first publication. You will always remember the thrill of it and will still get goosepimples when you think of the first time you saw yourself in print. I love your Elizabeth but at some point, I wanna see the ugly one...... Love your work so far! A +++ (this is cool - word verification is "dogaste" - wonder what Bob and Oliver would think!) hugs,

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  8. Hooray!!!!! Congrats on being published! How exciting!And I love your Elizabeth,she's beautiful! I never watched that show but I can already tell that I won't like the king,(having 6 wives,who's kidding me and being a lady's man)

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  9. Hi Diane!!! what a wonderful post!!! I love it...and your new sketch is beautiful!!! Gorgeous !!!

    Hugs
    Diana

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  10. Hey chica,
    Now thats a beautiful Queen Elizabeth!!! I am going to have to figure out a way to stylize my Elizabeth to make her more purty;)
    Congrats on being published. I agree your faces are Fab!!
    Hugs to you

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  11. Congrat's on this wonderful news Diane!! You so deserve to be in this publication and I am sooo happy for you! Your faces are truly wonderful!! Bravo!!

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  12. Congrats on being published that would really make me excited,and your picture looks fantastic in the book. All the colors you use make your faces pop. I love the new sketch and all the shading in her face- those classes sound like a lot of fun. Have a Happy Easter.Sincerely, Jonny

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  13. Love the portrait and congrats on being published.
    Debby

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  14. Congratulations on getting published! That's great news. :-) I've been thinking about signing up for Suzi's 2nd portrait class too and after seeing your drawing, I know it's on the top of my to do list! Great job!

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  15. Congratulations on the book!!! and I love your new 3/4 girl!! Hope to take that class one of these days!! Did you see Survivor tonight?

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  16. I've heard that The Tudors is a very good show. We just signed up for Netflix, again, so I'll have to check it out. Thank you!

    Congratulations on being published! How fun!!! Your faces are wonderful and the book looks great. I'll have to check it out too!

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  17. First of all, congratulations for being published! How exciting! And how deserved. You are a wonderful, talented artist and I believe great things are in the future with your art.
    I LOVE your Elizabeth! She looks so calm and lovely. I love her hair, her features, her entire look.
    I am taking this class too, but decided I had better finish with the G&P first before moving on. I have my lesson five girl started...
    Keep up with the great work, you are SOOOOO inspiring!

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  18. Congrats on being published Diane!!

    This portrait is lovely. I know how hard the 3/4 view can be. Your story made me laugh!! :P I'll have to check out that series too..

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  19. I love Tudors!! OMG when I found out about this series I downloaded all seasons and watched it all in one weekend. :) Congrats on being in the book Diane! And you're doing awesome on 3/4 face. I might take the workshop next semester. I have too much going on right now to fit in suzi as well. :) Happy Easter Diane! :)

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  20. Congrats! that is terrific.

    I so enjoyed visiting our blog - I'll be back soon.

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  21. Congrats on being in the book, must be super exciting! Lovely work, thanks for sharing. I wish I could take Suzi's class too :) The 3/4 view is difficult indeed, but I suppose just needs some practice and instruction!

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  22. Diane, this is sooo exiting! What a great thrill to be published! you deserve this, your work is beautiful!!
    xoxoxo

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  23. Exciting things in your life, many congratulations on being published, I know it must put a smile on your face just doing everyday things. I will use a word I hardly ever do and might start "splendid" a good word for good things.

    Maybe the women were valued for having sons. I always think if some of this information was brought into our history classes we would have had a great deal more interest.

    And you have an award that I didn't yet say spendid about. So "Splendid"

    Enjoy my visits to your blog.

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  24. Congrats to you Diane and how exciting for you!!! Love your faces and well deserved!
    I think you are becoming addicted to drawing now. Not sure i ever will but so happy for you! xoxo

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  25. diane dear, congratulations! that is so fantastic. that is one of my favorite portraits you have done.

    and i have to say your sketch is just darling also. i can't wait to take that class. i will sign up when i get back from vacation. photography is almost done for me and i'm excited to move on to something else. life just seems to get in the way. i took the angels class too and haven't done anything yet!

    you are such an inspiration to me and i'm so glad i found a bit of time to visit you!!
    hugs and happy easter!
    kelly

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  26. congratulations!! that is so cool to be published, and you deserve it; your work is gorgeous. you crack me up with your history of the queen's sister Mabel:)

    we're hooked on Tudors too. from what I've read it's fairly accurate from an historical perspective. they got a little creative with time and ages of some characters I've read. I can't wait for the next season to start!

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  27. Your drawings are so wonderful! How exciting to be pulished in a book! Good for you, you are so very talanted. I try & try to draw, but it looks like my 4 year old did it. Have a wonderful Easter. Lisa

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  28. Thank you Diane for stopping by and your lovely comment...so encouraging. I think your doing a fab job on the 3/4 faces for the class...I've yet to even attempt one yet. I love the Tudors as well....and congrats on getting in the book as well. I'm hoping mine arrives today!!!

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  29. Congratulations! What a thrill to be in a book!! You have such a pretty blog with lots of things to read and see! I'm making a madonna face and she's turning out like Cher and that wouldn't do at all! :^(

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  30. so inspiring! congratulations on being including in suzi's book! your artwork IS AMAZING! it is so fun to hear about her class and i have always wanted to check out the tudors. thanks for all of the inspiration! xoxo, juliette

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  31. Congrats on being published. I'm so happy for you. You deserve the honor!
    I wish you a Happy Easter!
    Gaby xo

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  32. Congratulations on being published! You must have been so excited! I loved the sketch of Elizabeth. You are so very talented. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog & if you are ever gonna be in my neck of the woods again, let me know!

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  33. Congrats!!!!! That is so awesome and you deserve it so very much. I love your art... HAPPY EASTER

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  34. Congrats! I am a member of Suzi's petite, just love her stuff.
    Your drawings are amazing, just love, love , love them:)

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  35. Your Elizabeth is beautiful! i wish i could learn to draw faces, the faces I drw all look the same: cartoon-ish and unreal!
    Congratulations on being published! :) such a great acomplishment

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  36. Congrats! What a thrill it must be.

    Your faces are all lovely. I've always been afraid of faces and have been making my way back to them as well. I hope that they can turn out as good as yours do.

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  37. First....Congradulations on being published in Suzi's book..What a thrill that must be....I think I would faint if I got published....Of course, I suppose I would have to submit to get the chance...lol

    Thank you for commenting on my Elizabeth...I love yours.....

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  38. Beatiful faces..your drawings are lovely Diane!
    Congratulations on being published!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog too!

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  39. Beatiful faces..your drawings are lovely Diane!
    Congratulations on being published!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog too!

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  40. Congratulations dear Diane, I'm joining Terri in the happy dance for you :)) You sooo totally deserve it!! You are such a talented artist and I'm sure this is just a start of many publications to come :) It always makes me happy to see my favourite artists beeing published. Standing ovations and bravos for you!! Keep up the good work, you're an inspiration to us all :D

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  41. ooo congratulations!!! how exciting!

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  42. YOu have a wonderful talent diane and your girls are so pretty! Congrats on getting in Suzi's book! You deserve it :)

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  43. This is incredible Diane!! I have always loved faces and this face of yours is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations(O: I'm so proud of my blog friend!!!!

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