środa, 11 stycznia 2017

Pride and Prejudice silk scarf

The Pride and Prejudice silk scarf is ready!

 Pride and Prejudice silk scarf on ETSY
Yay, I have painted both Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy! I am pleased with the end result so I hope you will like it too.

The idea

I decided to paint Lizzy and Darcy on both ends of the scarf, so when you put the scarves around you, they meet!
Pride and Prejudice scarves on ETSY

I was trying to get a watercolor style and feel to the painting, as watercolors was the medium of choice of the era. Still, I know none of the Bennet sister painted :P

The design

I have painted them in cameo style, profiles decorated with flowers (Lizzy) and leafs (Darcy).
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy on a scarf - find it on ETSY

She is bright and lively, hence greens and colors of spring.
He is calm and quiet, therefore blues and dark greens.
In the middle of the scarf there is a title 'Pride and Prejudice' painted with fancy letters and multi-colored background.

Painting

I must say it took some time! I really enjoyed this work, but I have stayed up too late and I was to tired the next day... still, it was worth it! Thankfully, we have coffee.
It was a two day process, but on the second day I only did the 'outlines' - contours to the characters. If you like to see my process, check out this entry on painting the Peacock scarf.

niedziela, 1 stycznia 2017

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - book, movie and the BBC

“A girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then. It is something to think of”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice - the amazing story

I have fallen in love (like so many before me) with the gorgeous characters and dialogues in this amazing book of Jane Austen. This is - for me - one of the best titles I have even read and... watched. 

First - the book

I read it in Polish several times, before I was ready to try the original version. The language is quite difficult for a foreigner, but it is sooo worthwhile, just to sit with the google translator on your phone and go thru the book in English!
And the story... oh this is obvious, isn't it? Great love, fantastic female characters!
I think I am much like Charlotte Lucas, but fortunately, I've found mysefl a great hubby, :D 

 Next - the BBC miniseries

I did not start with the book, to tell you the truth. I started with the BBC series with Collin Firth starring as Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth. It is very close to the original (with all the dialogues) and it is simply a great piece of TV drama.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy from BBC Pride and Prejudice miniseries
Hey, I think you can easily find it on Youtube! :)

Then - the movie

Nooo... I mean, it's not to bad... but compared to the BBC production... I mean, just nooo...
Ok, to tell you the truth, the 2005 movie with Keira Knightley is much more dynamic and dramatic than the BBC series, and in this sense it is more modern... but it lacks of a certain calmness, patience and brightness of the BBC series and the book. For me, it is to much changed, maybe not the story, but the general feel to it.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy (nooo!) in 2005 Pride and Prejudice the movie

Next - fun mentions

In the pop-culture there are so many! My favorite is from the Big Bang Theory season 7 episode 4
The Raiders Minimalization, when Sheldon tries to destroy Pride and Prejudice for Amy. Short but sweet :)
Recently, I have heard almost a quote from the Pride and Prejudice in the second series of the Poldark history romance drama (the one "He is a gentleman and I am a gentleman's daughter).
Highly recommended, too!

Finally - Pride and Prejudice... and Zombies

Yes, it did happen.
First as a book - wouldn't recommend it. Then - as a PRETTY GOOD movie! Wow, I mean, wow! You might think this will be a total BS but it really works! Thanks to great acting, the Darcy's first proposal scene is just a masterpiece.
But you have to be OK with zombies, because there will be a lot!
Here's the trailer for you. Gross but in the end very satisfying movie! :D


Ok, and why I am writing about Pride and Prejudice?
Just to give you the taste of inspirations for my new scarf. It is half done, with gutta outline ready... and hopefully I will paint it in a few days.
So, yay for the Pride and Prejudice ... and silk scarfs ;)