The drawings above were done in 2000. I did them simply as studies, I was curious and wanted to see if I might be able to get some sense of what Ramesses II may have appeared like in life. As I look at these images now, in 2009, there are a number of changes I would make not the least of which would be to the nose and lips. My own skills have much improved since these studies where undertaken, as well, I am much more sensitive to the gathering of scientific data that will help my intuitive explorations into studies such as these. My goal then will be to render a more refined life-like individual.  

I do not consider myself an expert in the ways of forensic reconstructions. However,  what I have seen done by the experts using computer models, has been (for the most part) unconvincing. I  would really like to see better results coming from that discipline.  By better I mean more believable and less cyber like. As a traditional portrait artist and an enthusiast in the reconstruction of past animals, humans and architecture, I am often left unmoved by many of these scientifically crafted computer models. In my opinion there needs to be another step taken along the path of envisioning the scientific data. That step would lift the computer reconstructions to the next level, the level of believability. This requires an eye towards “reanimating” the data so that the results appear as we see things in real time. The results do not need to be hyper photo realism, however, “life like” would be nice. Such a thing requires more than a technician’s touch, no disrespect intended but these reconstructions while perhaps true to the measurements and anatomical complexities of the actual remains are seriously lacking in one fundamental feature, they don’t look real!

To illustrate my point, take a look at this computer reconstruction of Arsinoe  (Cleopatra's sister). Nicely rendered to be sure, unfortunately it only has a hint of those life like qualities I was talking about. Don’t get me wrong, I find those hints very interesting; however, they do not go far enough. There needs to be another kind of artistic talent brought to bear here.  Such a talent needs to master not only the tools of the trade but it must be capable of apprehending qualities unique to but typical of living beings.

 I should think that when we are attempting to understand the past it would be of some help if our models contained a good measure of the “believable” in them.  It would appear that technical and scientific measurements while fundamental to that cause, are not enough.   There are other qualities that must be brought to the effort. It is not just a matter of line and form, colour and shading or even correct ligament and musculature placement. It is a matter of the artist doing what highly talented ones have been capable of doing throughout history, which is to ascertain and render convincingly the subtle yet dynamic presence of a personality. How this is done can not be explained in a paragraph or two, nor can it be fully grasped by intellectual means alone. However, I will leave you with this hint, it requires a kind of organic intuitive introspection. This may sound like mumbo jumbo to the layman but I assure you it involves a high degree of observational and cognitive talents without which we will continue to see mannequin-like rather than life-like reconstructions of the past.