Jacob - Bertil Nilsson

A while ago I came across an incredible photographer called Bertil Nilsson. (website)

His works take inspiration from the human form as well as movement, and focus on dancers and circus artists. The photographs are absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.

Below I have done a study of his photograph to the left. I'm not sure why I found this one particularly inspiring - perhaps it was the delicacy of the figure's pose, or the harmony between the man and nature's surroundings.

I was feeling a lot of mixed emotions at the time, hence the use of almost 'random' materials - there's use of watercolour, colour pencil and ink - and this was the result. I was also feeling a little on edge, and this shows a little in the rushed rough lines of the ink.

At first I was worried that I had 'ruined' this picture - I wasn't sure of the best way to work on it since I couldn't make my mind up, and my irritation kept on bubbling to the surface. But then I realised that this wasn't a bad thing - instead of the drawing being a strictly perfect piece, it became an expression of who I was at the time and conveys my feelings. I guess I quite like that about it.