Moving on to my next painting which I will begin painting this week. The subject is "Ophelia" from Hamlet. A troubled character from the play by Shakespeare whom many artists have attempted to capture on canvas. Probably the best known effort (and the best overall effort) is the masterpiece by Sir John Everett Millais, a member of the Brotherhood of the Pre-Raphealites. IMO, no one has surpassed his painting in beauty, pathos and technical skill. His Ophelia not only captures the character's heart, but her soul as well. So I attempt mine with reservations in knowing it won't surpass the painting by Millias, let alone match it. Still, Ophelia's story captures many of the elements that I am drawn to as an artist. After years of playing with ideas I decided on this one.
Here's the cartoon drawing I did in preparation for the painting.