This character portrait from my Byzantine tale depicts Charis, a noblewoman who collaborates on intrigue with Heliodorus the eunuch. I did a lot of research to design and draw the garb of my illustrated characters. The Later Roman era is hard to depict as most illustrators and recreators don't do their research and dress their people in generic robes or even worse, fashions that had not been worn for hundreds of years. But if you look enough, you'll find jewelry and garments like these on a lot of ancient sculptures or book illuminations, including hair styles as well. That's why I studied so much art history at Brandeis. I really enjoyed doing research on this era. Lady Charis was lightly based on a friend of mine at Brandeis, whose name was Karen, as close to the Greek name Charis as I could get.
Ink and watercolor on sketchbook page, 5 1/2" x 6", 1974. Click for larger view.
1 comment:
I like this very much especially the details of embroidery and jewelry. You're right, people get antique clothing all mixed up. I wonder what they'll think we wear in a couple of thousand years from now. You and I in long dresses with corsets.
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