I get a lot of questions about my last name and whether or not I am related to the “Chicago Pappases” or some random Dr. Pappas. (If you are ever tempted to ask me that, the answer is always “no relation.”) However, I do tend to pay attention when I come across someone else with my same last name, as is the case with artist Billy Pappas.
He creates extremely detailed graphite drawings. His method includes drawing at a ninety degree angle, using magnification glasses (loupes) and an additional handheld magnifier. He stands in a “body lock” position where he even controls his breathing to avoid unnecessary movement. His most notable drawing is a portrait of Marilyn Monroe that took him nine years to complete. Although it was based on photos, he didn’t copy directly. Instead, he used live models and even applied eye makeup and lipstick to himself to use as a reference. The drawing was the subject of the film Waiting for Hockney, which is about how he tries to get David Hockney to come see his drawing. You can see a clip about the movie here. A thought provoking, though negative, review can be read here.
You have to admire this guy’s dedication and technique even if his style is not your own. Personally, creating something so detailed and painstaking would feel like an exercise in futility. I would get bored spending so long working on a single piece and would want to see a finished product sooner. I also want to eventually have a large body of work which means I wouldn’t be able to spend thousands of hours working on only one 14 x 17 inch drawing.
My own work can be very detailed at times, and I used to do pointillist pen and ink drawings using a magnifying glass. However, I have come to find that too much detail can be a negative thing. Recently I have become more drawn to representational artwork that is not photorealistic, but where the artist portrays the subject in a slightly abstracted manner.
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