The Herbalist
Description
The unconventional combination of charcoal and watercolour gives the works of the “Embody” series a unique spark. The bold, opaque nature of the charcoal drawing marries with the flowing watercolour washes, allowing the two different mediums to harmonize perfectly. The earthy colors bring life to this portrait of a woman of the land. While the subject appears solid, many areas of the work are semi-transparent, allowing the warm background to glow through. Interestingly, the face is the most transparent area of the figure—a complete reversal of traditional portraiture.
Artists Reflection
The Herbalist” is the first piece in my “Embody” series—a body of work in which I select specific people to represent a particular vocation or character type. I didn’t actually set out to create a series before starting this piece; my initial intention was simply to produce a good portrait. In fact, I don’t recall if I had ever combined watercolor and charcoal before. I don’t think I had, because I remember being incredibly nervous about how the charcoal would shift when I decided to add the maroon color to her shawl. I went back and forth between the two mediums several times, gradually pulling them together until they coupled nicely.
For me, this work is also a strong example of successfully integrating an abstract background into a representational piece. Usually, I find this technique can look a bit lazy or unrefined, but in this case, I believe it truly elevates the artwork.
In 2017, I participated in a week-long building knowledge workshop where I learned about architecture, design, natural history, local history, Indigenous practices, culture, and herbalism—which is how I met Kjelti, the herbalist. Near the end of the workshop, I asked if I could take a few reference photos, which I later used to produce this portrait.
This work now resides in the private collection of a prominent local arts advocate.