In all, life size 8 warriors and 2 horses are displayed. The videos show the huge tomb and the excavation process. The first sketch, a charioteer caught my heart. He looks very nice and handsome. Many soldiers are quite Dundees. Their "fashionable" hair styles in variation and mustaches tickle girls in 2011.
Wow..., each one has a different personality and a face expression. Look taller than me(=170cm) and slender. Most original colors painted on them were gone. They, tens of thousands of terracotta have silently served the emperor for more than 2,000 years.
The work above was very hard to paint in a so poor light, nearly darkness. (I wanted to cry out! But I did not give up painting!)
The horses are beautiful and idealized. They look neat&tidy and strong. I enjoyed putting colors in a background.
The genearl's head protection(or hair style??) is very unique.
The military officer in an armour looks so elegant from a side. Obviously, he was holding a weapon in his hand.
A written language changes much more slowly than an oral language. An interesting finding, "Chinese characters are still the same." = They were systematically established and already used at the First Emperor's era. Amazing! Japanese borrowed Chinese characters long time ago before original Japanese letters developed and still uses traditional Chinese characters up to now. So, I comprehend old Chinese letters aftermath two thousands years! If a solider and I should meet, certainly, we can enjoy a chat on paper. Isn't it nice that stimulates imagination ? (*I'm unable to pronounce them. Phonologically, Chinese, a tone language is totally different from Japanese, not a tone language.) What would these warriors tell me?
How many people worked for years to make those terracotta armies, elaborated crafts and the huge tomb?
Little Sadami really loved reading books on old civilizations and had a great interest in dead languages. At uni, I wondered if I could be an archaeologist at a 1st year. No, I would not. But history units revealed that most historical "left overs"-- written records, crafts etc, were made by a hegemonic group or the powerful. Always, powerless or voiceless people are invisible in history.
The First Emperor was working on another famous project, the Great Walls. Once, I read a very sad Chinese "folk tale" ; so many heart-breaking wives and women's cries actually made bricks off from walls, as their husbands, loves, sons had to leave them behind...probably, most labours, I assume, never came back.... "(Recorded) history is a winner's history," a uni history lecturer's say echos in my heart.... The soldiers remain silent. Unlike the first emperor, my life is a tiny drop in an ocean. So, I always want to look at us, the voiceless and depict our daily life in drawing and painting. The evidence of life.
Enjoy life fully!
congrats! Wonderfull sketches and watercolor
ReplyDeleteDear Franco,
ReplyDeleteThanks! Your works, too, are wonderful.
Cheers, Sadami
Wonderful post Sadami, I hope you are enjoying the light now that you've finished painting in those dark places. I always enjoy your commentary and blog stories so much. Since this is the first time I've commented on your blog in 2011 I am going to wish you a prosperous, healthy and inspirational year.
ReplyDelete"...guts/strong nerve for spot-on job, pure concentration on work despite onlookers, sharp eyes in very dim rooms, good legs for hours standing..."
ReplyDeleteYou're so funny Sadami! And wise.
"Always, powerless or voiceless people are invisible in history."
"...I always want to look at us, the voiceless and depict our daily life in drawing and painting. The evidence of life."
I enjoyed the exhibition too, would have prefered to see the warriors in their full combined glory but something is better than never... although, as I wrote here I find them so majestic... I too am affected by the fact that the artisans never got to go back to their loved ones...
Yes the soldiers are very handsome! I was puzzled by their height... I think the heights are not true representations because it went according to hierachy. The generals were 'made' taller because they ranked highest. Or maybe they truly were the tallest and that's why they were generals!
I am trying to learn Chinese (Mandarin), I am quite good with nuance and pronounciation and spoke a bit of Cantonese when I lived in HK but I do prefer Japanese. To me, it is a 'noble warrior' language!
...but then I am intrigued by all things Japanese... I play Taiko... I feel the sounds in my veins...
Thank you for this post Sadami. It is a wonderful read and as per usual your images are.. magic.
Wow, they are amazing indeed, I had the chance to see an exhibition of some of them here in Madrid and left quite impressed, you were lucky to be able to get to paint them there on spot!
ReplyDeleteI love what you've done with the horses and that last one warrior, adding those intense colors to contrast with the terracota sculptures light painted over the graphite really give them that aura of eternity they have in real life, love this batch of sketches to bits! (plus... BACKGROUNDS! YAY!!!!)
You set yourself a real challenge and you did a great job on them - I like the way you handled the terre cotta and then put in some background to place them and that last painting is wonderful :) Thanks for the art and a bit of history, too.
ReplyDeletedear Sadame ! this post is wonderful and so
ReplyDeleteinteressant ! your paintings are really amazing !
I have enjoyed all this very much !
thank you !
bisous
felicidades querida Sadami. son realmente impresionantes tus acuarelas. ademas del tema que me interesa sobremanera. saludos, jose
ReplyDeleteQué maravilla Sadami!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCómo has sido capaz de dibujar estos guerreros con las dificultades de luz y delante de tantos visitadores? Eres genial!
La historia es fantástica. En su origen y como tú lo cuentas. Es muy interesante!
Un gran trabajo. Hecho con el corazón. Te felicito!
Un abrazo.
Simply beautiful paintings Sadami. Congratulations capturing life! And I love your tiny watercolor palette. Sometimes the most minimal selection of colors work wonders!
ReplyDeleteSadami, you are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteHer stories excite as much as their works.
Amazing
ReplyDeletework
thank you for sharing
Dear Carol,
ReplyDeleteThank you for encouragement! Yes, I'm enjoying light and enlightment. I wish you, too, all what you have wished for me.
Kind regards, Sadami
"Elegant". The warriors would like this description). Few years ago they visited Moscow too. Can you imagine, they found more then 8000 figures. Army!
ReplyDeleteI love to examine your sketches. And I like the backgrounds, so dramatic.
Dear Dusk,
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Your blog post, too, is interesting. I hope you will enjoy learning Chinese and Japanese. Taiko, a Japanese drum is good fun to play. Keep up!
Kind regards, Sadami
Dear Teresa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing joy with me! Yes, backgronds!! Anyway, the two paintings you mentioned are my favorite. The last one I felt eternity, too...
Well, it was very the hard job in nearly darkness. Sounds the terracotta guys travel around the world at a first class treat...more than me!
Cheers, Sadami
I love the sketches! My heart lept when I saw them! How hard that must have been to capture their essence.
ReplyDeleteAnd an interesting post also!
Take care
Vicki
さだみさん
ReplyDeleteげんきですか。
わたしは NSW Art Gallery でいってけどこのてんらんかいにいきませんでした。たいへんですね！おもしろいといっています。あなたのえをとてもきれいです。すきです。
”guts/strong nerve for spot-on job, pure concentration on work despite onlookers, sharp eyes in very dim rooms, good legs for hours standing”－むずかしいです！
ありがとうございます。すばらしい。つぎのblogpostをたのしみにしています。
エベリン
Dear Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteYour blog post's uploaded info on Mary White gave me the idea how to handle a background. I JUST did it and it worked out for me, even though I have not got her video yet. So, this is my tips for you; find an artist similar to you, because easy to pick up techniques;).
Cheers, Sadami
Dear Marty,
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm very happy to know you've shared the joy with me. That's the point ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ!!
Cheers, Sadami
Dear Jose,
ReplyDeleteThanks millions! I hope I will upload interesting posts(ahaha, not easy. Please turn a blind eye to a dull topic!)
Cheers, Sadami
Estimado José,
Gracias millones! Espero subir posts interesantes (ahaha, no es fácil. Por favor, hacer la vista gorda ante un tema aburrido!)
Saludos, Sadami
>>>>>>>>Jose said...
congratulations dear Sadami. your watercolors are really impressive. besides the issue that interests me. regards, jose
Dear Dora,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Basically, I've always used a limited pallette that surprised my picture book illustration teacher at the course. And if primary colours are mixed, most colours come up(so I do not need a rest of them). Each artist has tendency and habit for color use. Find your OWN colorsʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ.
Cheers, Sadami
Dear Vincente,
ReplyDeleteThank you for encouragement. I admire your wonderful works! Keep up.
Cheers, Sadami
Dear Skizo,
ReplyDeleteThank you for alaways nice comment that cheer me up!
Kind regards, Sadami
Dear Irina,
ReplyDeleteThank you! Indeed, they are elagant and idealized.
Hey, the terracotta army already visit Moscow. I assume they might have done around the world already.
Cheers, Sadami
Dear Joshemari,
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you!! I want to give you a very big hug!! It took nearly 4 hours or so in the darkness...and with onlookers. I was nearly down and out. But I did not want to give up. Drawing was not hard. Paradoxically, I cold see value well and quickly made drawing with strong lines. But coloring was the hard task, checking colors was nearly impossible. I relied on my "instinct." Eventually, I added more colors in background jsut out of the exhibtion room before forgetting impressions. I saw some sketchers=drawers, but only me, watercoloring.
A big hug, Sadami
Estimado Joshemari,
Oh, gracias! Quiero darte un abrazo muy grande! Le tomó cerca de 4 horas más o menos en la oscuridad ... y con los espectadores. Yo estaba casi abajo y hacia fuera. Pero yo no quería darse por vencido. El dibujo no era difícil. Paradójicamente, lo frío y ver el valor y rápidamente dibujo con líneas fuertes. Pero para colorear fue la dura tarea, comprobando los colores era casi imposible. Confié en mi instinto. "Finalmente, he añadido más colores en el fondo acaba de salir de la habitación antes de olvidar exhibtion impresiones. Vi a algunos dibujantes = cajones, pero sólo me watercoloring.
Un fuerte abrazo, Sadami
>>>>Joshemari said...
How wonderful !!!!! Sadami
How have you been able to draw these warriors with the difficulties of light and in front of so many visitors? You're great!
The story is fantastic. In its origin and how you count it. It is very interesting!
A great job. Made with the heart. Congratulations!
A hug.
Dear Vicki,
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm very happy to know my post touches your heart. Great honour. You, too, please keep up a post.
Kind regards, Sadami
What an awesome post! and I love how your background colors had an extra strength to these beautiful sculptures.
ReplyDeleteエベリン さん
ReplyDeleteげんきです。ありがとうございます.あなたの日本語, どんどん, じょうずに なりますね。すごいです。
NSW Art Gallery へいってみてください。おもしろいです。
"－むずかしいです！" But we need them for sketching at a public place.
エベリンのblogpostも, たのしみにしています!!
Cheers, Sadami
Dear Elva,
ReplyDeleteThank you soooo much! Ah, it was a great challenging, but paid off. Let us keep up together.
Cheers, Sadami
Como siempre, Sadami, tus trabajos son sublimes, un auténtico placer para la vista. Me gusta mucho cómo has dejado las figuras en negativo y los tonos rojos empleados en los fondos.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Hi, Sadami. First of all, happy new year. All your drawings of the warriors are wonderful. You are incredible, being able to paint almost in the darkness and with crowds of people hanging around. But the result was worth the effort. I had the occasion of seeing some of these warriors twice: once at the Guggenheim in Bilbao and another time here, in Barcelona in 2004, but unfortunately I couldn't paint them. You've been luckier...or braver. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteDar Kubi,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. Yes, how to make a drama for terracotta was the task. But careful observation finds different colors and values. That's it!
A big hug;) Sadami
Dar Kubi,
Muchas gracias. Sí, cómo hacer un drama de terracota fue la tarea. Pero la observación cuidadosa encuentra diferentes colores y valores. Eso es todo!
Un fuerte abrazo;) Sadami
>>>Kubi said...
As always, Sadami, your work is sublime, a real treat for the eyes. I love how you left the negative figures in red tones used in the funds.
A hug.
Dear Albert,
ReplyDeleteThank you& Happy New Year!
I was surely brave enough to paint them all. (I thought if I missed this, when I would see them again in Sydney?) As the sensitive terracotta, I was gently warned not to split water or not to work near to the warriors=had to stay nearly in the darkness. So, you get my recommendations for "Essential Materials." Well, but fun. Albert, try it next time! ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ
Cheers, Sadami
Strong drawings Sadami. I would love to see the exhibit. You must have needed a third hand drawing on the spot. With pad in one, brush in the other, how did you manage the tiny paint kit--the water? How did you do it under those conditions--lots of viewer traffic, dark lighting? You're amazing as are the drawings.Lovely.
ReplyDeleteFabulous!
ReplyDeleteMade more so by the conditions you produced them under.
You have really made the exhibits feel as if they want to come alive and tell you their story! Bravo!
I like all of your drawings, and my favorites are the horses and the military officer. I've seen a documentary about the terracotta army, and you've caught the spirit of it in a wonderful way!
ReplyDeleteDear Linda,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!! "Where there's a will, there's a way"(even though, yes, I really wanted to get a tiny stool or a desk!) Standing Sadami put the paint kit on the A4 pads held by a left hand with toilet paper(*I always use it to absorb unnecessary paint) and the other hand holding a brush. A water cup(400mml or so) was on a floor. What a busy girl?!
The second sketch was made in nearly complete darkness(My guts surprised visitors). When eyes got used to the darkness, you can see around your hand anyhow. A rest of them were somewhat under a poor light. I assume they keep light very soft not to damage the terracotta. Next time, try it. You'll get what I said there.
Cheers, Sadami
Dear Pat,
ReplyDeleteThank you! But next time, I want to copy work under "bright light" ;).
Cheers, Sadami
Dear Ulla,
ReplyDeleteThank you for encouragement and a kind visit. If you have a chance, please vist it and sketch them.
Kind regards,
Sadami
A wonderful gallery of paintings, Sadami!
ReplyDeleteDear Cristina,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!!
Cheers, Sadami
Hola Sadami, este es un post muy interesante, estas estatuas siempre me han fascinado, parece como un ejercito petrificado por arte de magia, que suerte poder verlos( es una exposición itinerante en Australia o fuiste a verlos a China?), los bocetos son extraordinario pese a las condiciones que comentas, se ve que te inspiró el tema, me encantó, muchas gracias.
ReplyDeleteSaludos.
Dear Francis,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! Really the interesting exhibition is. Not sure it's touring around a world. But if it comes to Spain, have a look of it:).
Cheers, Sadami
Estimado Francisco,
Muchas gracias! Realmente interesante es la exposición. No está seguro de que está de gira en torno a un mundo. Pero si se trata de España, tiene una mirada de ella:).
Saludos, Sadami
>>>>Francis said...
Sadami Hi, this is a very interesting post, these statues have always fascinated me, seems like an army petrified by magic, lucky to see them (it is a touring exhibition in Australia and China went to see them?), sketches are despite the extraordinary conditions you mention, is the subject inspired you, I loved it, thank you very much.
Greetings.
Hi Sadami
ReplyDeleteYour terracotta soldiers and horses are fabulous. Do you use watercolour when you are in the gallery? If you do, I take my hat off to you. How do you do it? I'm thinking of going to see the Turner exhibition tomorrow (after the dentist - ouch) I will take my painting/drawing gear with me and see how I get on.
Thanks for a great post.
Dear Ray,
ReplyDeleteYes, I use watercolor in the gallery. So, one staff came and warned me NEVER spilt water in nearly drakness! I saw three other people drawing, but only me "watercolor painting" on spot.
"Turner"!!! Oh, Ray, go for it and sketch them:).
Cheers, Sadami
Sadami! un honor que hayas pasado por mi blog, tu trabajo es exquisito y maravilloso muchisimas felicitaciones, es alucinante... un abrazo desde Buenos Aires.!!!
ReplyDeleteNo hace mucho, durante un viaje a Chile, vi una muestra de estos guerreros en una exposición sobre los mismos en el Palacio de la Moneda de la capital, Santiago. Me impresionó la muestra, el reflejo de esa potente cultura milenaria...
ReplyDeleteY ahora tú, Sadami, nos muestras estos excelentes trabajos que denotan tu gran capacidad para el dibujo, tu buena mano con el lápiz y el pincel. Gracias por ponerlos.
Dear Bette,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Yes, I read through your blog. Oh, your work is so lovely and beautiful. Let us enjoy making lots this year:)!!
Cheers, Sadami
Estimado Bette,
¡Muchas gracias! Sí, he leído a través de su blog. Oh, tu trabajo es tan bella y hermosa. Vamos a disfrutar de hacer un montón este año:)!
Saludos, Sadami
>>>>Bette said...
Sadami! an honor that you've gone through my blog, your work is exquisite and wonderful A big congratulations is amazing ... a hug from Buenos Aires.!
Dear Juan,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! You saw them, too. Not easy to sketch them in the "drakenss." But it "enlightened" me now;).
Cheers, Sadami
Estimado Juan,
Muchas gracias! Usted los vio, también. No es fácil para dibujar en el "drakenss." Sin embargo, "iluminados" mí ahora;).
Saludos, Sadami
>>>>Juan said...
Not long ago, during a trip to Chile, I saw an example of these warriors in an exhibition on them in the Palacio de la Moneda in the capital, Santiago. I was impressed with the sample, the reflection of this powerful ancient culture ...
And now you, Sadami, show us these excellent works that show your great capacity for drawing, your good hand with the pen and brush. Thank you for them.
This is brilliant, Sadami! I always enjoy your posts, and this one is no exception :) Very interesting subject and perfect execution!
ReplyDeleteDear Maria,
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love your posts, too. So cute and pretty work!
Cheers, Sadami
dear Sadam
ReplyDeleteI do not know how to tell you how much I liked
this post ... drawings are fantastic!
you are amazing!
the way you described these works, took us there, along with you!
All these pieces were made by anonymous artisans, and they deserve our appreciation! and you recorded them brilliantly, is continuing their purpose in showing the expressions so beautifully!
thanks! your works are wonderful,
made with heart!
a big hug :))))
Dear Denise,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! Yes, their "unknown" artisans and "forgotten" labours touch my heart most. We, painters are, in my personaly view, guradians of time or an era. Your work, too, record moments of our lives! I love them all.
A big hug and smile, Sadami
samadi these are really superb .... a joy to see.
ReplyDeleteDear Jane,
ReplyDeleteThank you! Your paintings and photos are so beautiful, too.
Cheers, Sadami
Sadam, when I saw this post, I thought there was something new with backgrounds. I really like the second watercolor for this reason.
ReplyDeleteThe subject I like and also the background that adds to the statues.
You know I love the backgrounds ... You must go on, I find the result already very successful!
Hugs.
Olivia
Dear Olivia,
ReplyDeleteThanks and yes, "background." Thnat's what I'm enjoying! I'll go on this direction.
Hugs and smile, Sadami
Your stories are absolutely wonderful Sadami, as well as your sketches!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Hilda,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Your pastel work is beautiful and stories are interesting.
Cheers, Sadami
I love the texture of these funds.
ReplyDeleteDear Leovi,
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'll keep up my drawing and painting.
Cheers, Sadami
今回もすばらしいですね。
ReplyDelete背景の処理の仕方が勉強になります。
もっともっと観たいです。
Dear ヤマサキさん,
ReplyDeleteありがとう!!"背景の処理"が、私の今年の課題とゴールです。コレが初チャレンジで、おっ、悪くないと手応えを感じました。あなたの他の作品、webで見ましたが、素晴らしいですね。 なお、このスケッチはほとんど真っ暗闇の中だったので、"その場スケッチは根性とガッツが要る、" と書いたら、ウケました。あなたの他の作品も,もっともっと観たいです。おたがい頑張りましょう! Yey!!
Cheers, Sadami
Oh wonderful! Wonderful! You give lively expression and spirit to these ancient, long hidden statues. Of course my favorite is of the horses.
ReplyDeleteYours,
GG
Dear Garden Groans,
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for the big cheers. Many people love these sketches. Ahahaha, I know! Your love for hourses:).
Cheers, Sadami