Trip to London

We visited the national portrait gallery in Trafalgar square on friday to gain inspiration for our Elizabethan project. I was amazed at how many beautiful portraits were there and how big they are! Whilst there, I found an image which really represented what Elizabethan beauty is to me. I tried to take a picture but the guard kept looking at me so I researched into it.

Some sneaky pictures from the gallery (ssh)

The Coronation Portrait

"This painting is known as 'The Coronation portrait', and shows the Queen crowned, wearing the cloth of gold which she wore at her coronation on 15 January 1559, which had previously been worn by Mary I. She holds the orb and sceptre, symbols of her authority. The portrait appears to have been painted in about 1600, and is probably a copy of a lost original of c.1559."

I love the symmetry in this picture, the composition is perfect. The first thing I am drawn to is her pale complexion contrasting her hair, outfit and the background. It is almost mesmerising. To me, this defines what Elizabethan beauty is at is shows her fair hair, high forehead and arched eyebrows and her pale skin with the red cheeks and lips. I am inspired by this portrait and it is something I will always look back on in this project to ensure that I am capturing her signature look right. 

Image and information from: http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portraitLarge/mw02070/Queen-Elizabeth-I?LinkID=mp01452&search=sas&sText=queen+elizabeth&role=sit&rNo=12

http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw02070/Queen-Elizabeth-I?LinkID=mp01452&search=sas&sText=queen+elizabeth&role=sit&rNo=12#sitter

Whilst we were in London we went shopping!! We visited M.A.C, Charles Fox and Illamasqua! I spent quite a lot (especially with M.A.C kindly giving us 35% discount!!) but it was well worth it. It was very rushed in M.A.C and I felt I didn't get to ask many questions about the products as there was so many of us but I am pleased with my purchases. 

I had never been into Charles Fox before and I loved it. I could have spent a fortune in there! All of the products are amazing and I particularly love the special fx stuff! The staff were welcoming and helpful.

It was only a 10 minute walk to Illamasqua but it took us half an hour, we just couldn't find it! Again, it was amazing in there. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. 

Overall I had a really good experience in London and I'm really glad I went.