PROFESSIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL ILLUSTRATION
Valerie Woelfel – St. Paul, MN USA – 651 955-7198 – [email protected]
Some of my favorite tasks are those from the field of art history. I have had the opportunity to work on material ranging from North American folk art to the sculptures of the Hellenistic and Roman world. These jobs feed the artist in me and give me the opportunity to closely study and observe these amazing pieces. This drawing is the Pergamon Altar. While it was done for a client, I had the good fortune of having detailed photographs that I had previously taken in Berlin.
I know that my clients are putting their reputation on the line when they share their research and publications. You can rely on me to take your work seriously and create drawings that support your efforts and hard work. This example is from an Attic red figure vase of Penelope at her loom. The details on the original vessel are wonderful and I was able to provide my client with a clear, accurate image for both print and digital publication.
Many of my assignments require research to guarantee accuracy. This image is from A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Holy Sepulcher and Golgotha in Jerusalem by Emily Cavins and depicts the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher during the Crusader period. Background research on this project was much more extensive than I expected. In order to draw in the building I had to understand when additions were added, changes were made, and what the architectural details were during the time of the crusaders.
Images are an important part of presenting the past to the public and building enthusiasm and support for archaeology and history. This drawing is from a children’s book Daily Life in Bible Times and was created by scanning in an ink drawing and adding color in Photoshop. Working with authors on popular publications often gives me a chance to be more creative and explore different media and techniques.
I work with clients to create reconstructions of archaeological sites. This is a valuable part of the analysis process because the archaeologist has to think through every detail in order for me to draw it. For example, if I am reconstructing a wall based on foundations uncovered on site, I need to know the details of its construction. How high is it, are there windows, was it covered with plaster and was that plaster painted? The example image is an Israelite house from Daily Life in Bible Times by Dr. Pamela Gaber