Monarch - Original

The creation of "Monarch" was inspired by both the butterfly and the regal court paintings of European monarchies during the Baroque era. 
 
First inspired by the beautiful butterfly, I knew that the bright yellows, oranges, and reds would stand out in high contrast against the dark purple paper, so the material choices were decided first. Next, to choose the monarch’s pose. 
 
Most monarchs can be seen standing tall, looking directly at their subjects viewing them. For this drawing, I wanted to alter what that confidence would look like. Thus, I tilted her chin back, let her hair down long and loose, and added her hand, which delicately points the viewer right up to her face (where the most amount of contrast lies). High cheekbones, voluptuous lips, vibrant eyes and eyeshadow all work together to draw the viewer closer to the monarch. She rules the paper, and wins your admirable view.
 
"Monarch" was drawn with wax-based Prismacolor colored pencils and Black acrylic ink on 187 lb. Canson Violet Colorline paper.