Sketching at Göbeklitepe this year was not as easy as last year, as the site is now under a temporary wooden shelter, but it's still such a marvellous place to get out a pencil and sketchbook. Last year, I regretted that I hadn't asked Mahmut bey if I could sketch him— it was a mix of shyness and a little bit of the pressure of being in a group that was on the move that held me back, so I was determined to get a portrait of him in my book this time around. I was pleased that he remembered me, and even more so that he agreed to patiently pose for a sketch under an unforgiving sun. I have no idea how much time passed, but after a while, he started to get fidgety.
A group of important-looking people had arrived with a police escort to inspect the site, and he broke his stoic pose to keep an eye on their whereabouts. Eventually, he glanced up at the sky with his squinty eyes, and politely asked if I could just take a photograph of him instead. Grateful for any time with him, I thanked him with a handshake and watched him disappear under the wooden structure. I was left with a decent pencil sketch of him and a photograph, which I used for colouring, while in my hotel room later that night. I'm pretty happy with the result, and glad that I overcame my shyness— after all, if portraits are my favourite subjects for sketching, I have to get comfortable talking to people!
Click here to see two sketches from last year's visit to Göbeklitepe.
2 comments:
Dear Szaza,
i really enjoy your decent and faithful sketches. Though they aren´t mere sketches, more outstanding artworks, i think. But as you described the sketching of Mahmut Bey i wondered whether you´d like to post the rough pencil sketch before colouring one of the next times. I am just interested how far you prepare for the colours and - yes - i am just interested in the way you work.
Admiring,
Maike
Thank you so much, Maike! I will consider doing that next time— for Mahmut bey's portrait in particular, I left a lot of the pencil work light and simple. Sometimes I go heavy on the pencil, but he was in a hurry to get away so I moved quickly. Thanks again.
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