As a boy I had some very nice and interesting uncles. One of them was Uncle Des, my mother's only sibling. He was a 'dabbler'. Des did sign writing, managed art galleries and was a photographer. He also did abstract paintings I call 'splatter paintings' and pictures that combined his painting and photography. I decided to redo his portrait with one of his paintings in the background.
Ned Kelly is a hero to many and a villain to others. He was a bushranger akin to America's outlaws, Jesse and Frank James. In both cases large elements of their communities helped them because of perceived injustices from the authorities.
Sadly, it has been revealed that he probably never, on his pending hanging, remarked 'Such is life'. But it is the kind of thing that he would say.
Below are three versions of my portrait of Ned.
Oh dear, I've gone all dark and stuff! When the French knights, mired in mud, were fallen from their horses the English bowmen rushed forwards with daggers and mallets to find weak spots in their armour. The battle's aftermath would have provided a feast for ravens and other scavengers. There will be at least one more related picture.
Materials: gel and marker pens, coloured pencils, water colours and Games Workshop acrylic paints.
For those interested in this 15th century battle:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Agincourt
