This drawing has been a couple of years in the making. I first encountered the photograph I used as reference during a search for reference material to draw from, although at the time I didn’t have a source for the original photographer. I desperately wanted to draw it though, as I find it an absolutely stunning masterpiece on the reality of bodies, the female form and motherhood. However, my many attempts to recreate the photograph using conventional ink and paper kept frustrating me due to the sheer size of the piece and my inability to get everything done in proportion or even fit it on paper properly.
So when I finally got my computer back and really got some practice and experience in on my Huion Kamvas 22 plus drawing tablet, I decided that the time was never better to finally get this piece off the ground. I’m very pleased with how it has turned out, and my thanks to Sarah Hester, the original photographer. You can find a few other photos from the series this photograph was taken from at Sarah Hester – Naked in the Woods – Project Naked
I shall continue to try and focus my attention to drawing bodies that defy our society’s sick infatuation with unattainable beauty standards, and my hat is off to all artists that continue to showcase regular people with regular bodies as well. May you all find success and perhaps one day… one day… we can turn the tide.