The Portrait of Dorianne Gray
2012
Description
Watercolor on paper, A3
Fields
Painting, Illustration
  • The Portrait of Dorianne Gray
    Inspired by the Oscar Wilde novel
  • I recently finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, a novel by Oscar Wilde published back in 1890 and it tells the story of Dorian, a good-natured young man until he discovers the power of his own exceptional beauty. As he gradually sinks deep into a frivolous, glamorous world of selfish luxury, he apparently remains physically unchanged by the stresses of his corrupt lifestyle and untouched by age. But up in his attic, hidden behind a curtain, his portrait tells a different story.
    I was inspired enough by the book to re-imagine it in a painting, but instead of a male protagonist, I used a young lady instead. I used Prang watercolors, my favorite medium as of late, on Arches 140lb watercolor paper.
  • The (very rough) draft for the composition. As you can see, I hurriedly sketched it in a moment of inspiration on a piece of scratch paper. Where is my moleskine when I need it?
  • The book and the inspiration. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
  • detail
  • Print is available on Society6. http://www.society6.com/prettymonkey26