This week has seen the unfolding of the Wagatha Christie trial between Coleen and Rebekah Rooney.
There have been shocking revelations, sexy exchanges and torrents of tears. The fight between the women has taken control of social media and dominated headlines.
One of the most talked about points in the trial is not what the women said, but how the court sketch artists depicted them.
Comparisons with potatoes, boxing stars, and art from 1400s. There has been an abundance of hilarious comments on social media about the sketches.
The three ladies have now revealed how hard it can be to work as a court sketcher.
PRISCILLA COLEMAN: ‘Wayne’s got really pretty eyes and eyelashes… he’s a very unique looking man’
MailOnline spoke to Priscilla Coleman, who said it was a ‘weird’ thing she did and that it keeps getting weirder by the day.
The artist said that it was illegal for her to create sketches in court. She must pick the most suitable moment and leave when she can draw.
Rose West and Fred West were covered by her, as well as cases that involved Amy Winehouse and Jeffrey Archer. She also reported on the James Bulger Murder case.
She stated, “I’m like an imperfect human camera. This is evident in the material I use. Although I don’t have a snapper, I do take notes. But if you try to make a drawing in court, you’ll be taken into custody and fined.
“I wait sometimes for the paper to be handed around. It’s an excellent time to get out. It’s important to follow the flow.
Priscilla Colman is one of several court sketch artists for the Wagatha-Christie libel trial
Court artist sketch of Coleen Rooney by Priscilla Coleen Coleman. This is the High Court witness stand.
Court sketch by Priscilla Coleen Rooney, Rebekah Vardy and Jamie Vardy.
Coleen Rooney sat next to Wayne Rooney, May 12, in this court drawing by Priscilla Cole
Sketch by Elizabeth Cook, Coleen and Wayne Rooney (left), and Rebekah Varidy (right), May 10.
A deadline doesn’t have to be fast. Sometimes it can be difficult to simply accept that the deadline is so fast.
Also, she wrote that “Sometimes I will leave the court during a major moment to draw an image while it is fresh in my brain.” For example, Rebekah Vardy got very emotional on Wednesday – she had her head down in the dock crying so I left immediately to sketch.’
Priscilla shared how celebrities can appear very different from each other and discussed the problems of drawing the Wagatha Christie trial.
She stated that people in court are often very emotional. Vardy’s best photos are taken when she is happy and confident. However, Vardy in court Wednesday was more like a young child who gets in trouble with his teacher.
She added: ‘It’s really popular so at the start it was pretty tough to get a seat in the court. It’s a fantastic position, and I feel very close to it. If I reach out, I could touch Wayne Rooney.
“My drawings get better each day as I learn more about them.
It’s almost like taking a test. They look great! What is their style? Is there any great jewelry? Which expressions are they using? Are there any expressions that will be required for this story?
Priscilla claimed she was aware that some criticisms of sketch artists were made during the trial.
While she admitted that court artists may’massacre facial features’, she said that they are not the only ones who can do so. However, she stated that trolls simply want attention and could be “picked on” to any drawing.
Priscilla stated that she had a troll from up North and her face is beautiful. She also works for the NHS. Many people have praised her on Twitter for being so kind and sweet. Then she starts trolling sketch artists. Trolls love attention. They crave attention.
After taking the stand, Rebekah Vardy sketched a picture of court artist Priscilla Colman.
Rebekah Varidy’s crying face at London’s court, May 11, 2011. Artist’s impression taken by Priscilla Cole
Rebekah Varidy gives evidence in this sketch drawn by Priscilla Colman on May 10, 2009.
Rebekah Varidy’s crying face at London’s court, May 11, 2011. Artist’s impression taken by Priscilla Cole
“You could probably pick any drawing.” When I saw a Rembrandt painting, my friend kept picking at Rembrandt.
She admitted that it can be hard to handle some criticisms.
It really hurts, she explained. It truly crushes your heart. It’s almost like your mind is being assaulted.
It makes it difficult to work effectively because you are afraid that your work might be compromised. You are unable to work properly because it slows down your workflow. It can make it more difficult.
It’s not difficult to get rid of it. Although you can have conversations with others about the subject, there are people who won’t discuss it.
Everyone has bad and good days. Sometimes luck is all that matters.
In addition to describing how celebrities appear in court, the artist shared the things she had observed while covering the trial.
She explained that Wayne is the best person to sit next to Coleen. His eyes are beautiful and his eyelashes long. He also looks at the clock occasionally.
“He is a unique-looking man. Coleen is sporty. Her face is sporty but healthy.
“Rebekah” is beautiful, almost like a 1950s movie star. Her hair is beautiful.
“Their makeup is flawless, and their hair looks amazing.” Both are beautiful, but they have very distinct personalities.
ELIZABETH COOK: ‘I rely on my memory. When I look at the face, I split it into three.
Elizabeth Cook, another sketch artist is helping to cover the Wagatha Christie trial.
Ms. Cook was not present at the Blockbuster Trial furore, but was shown drawing outside the courthouse last week.
Her previous explanations of the difficulties faced by sketch artists when covering a case were clear.
According to Ms. Cook, she’s been to hundreds of trials in her lifetime. These range from the Stephen Lawrence case to Who Wants To Be a Millionaire trial. Charles Ingram in a fraud case
She told the Guardian: ‘I don’t spend a great deal of time in court because I need to go and draw – you are not allowed to draw in court.
LAST Thursday: Court artist Elizabeth Cook draws an image outside the Royal Courts Of Justice in London. It was taken on May 12, 2012.
Court artist Elizabeth Cook sketched Coleen Rooney’s Barrister David Sherborne (centreback) interrogating Rebekah Vardy as she gave evidence. Coleen Rooney (right) and Wayne Rooney (second right), watched on May 12.
As she provides evidence, a sketch of Coleen Rooney by Elizabeth Cook, court artist. Wayne watches.
Rebekah Varidy observes Elizabeth Cook as her court artist sketch Coleen Rooney. Sherborne examines the sketch and then she takes evidence to the Royal Courts Of Justice London in the Libel Battle.
“I trust my memory. When I look at the face, I split it into three. The shape of my head and hair is the third I choose. Important is the hair. Next, I take note of the shape and depth of the eyebrows.
‘The next third is what I would call the muzzle – the tip of the nose, the mouth and the chin. This contains many of the expressions and distinguishing features.
Additionally, she stated that she takes note of what the clothes look like on people whom she draws.
Ms. Cook stated that multi-defendants can make it more difficult, so she relies more heavily on written notes.
She shared the same sentiments as Priscilla and highlighted the time pressures that they face, because it is necessary to complete everything ‘as soon as possible.
JULIAQUENZLER: It’s all from memory. Rarely do I refer to the notes.
Julia Quenzler, like Ms. Cook, has not yet commented on details of the Wagatha Christie case coverage.
Like the others, she is also an experienced artist and has worked on a number of cases that were high-profile.
Her work as a court illustrator at the BBC lasted more than twenty years.
Ms Quenzler explained how she writes notes to herself about the hair, facial features, clothing and body language of the people in the trial before picking her moment to draw them.
The BBC spoke to her: “It’s all done in memory. I seldom refer to the notes except there are many defendants on the dock. And I have to remind myself, if Number 3 had a blue or white shirt.
Ms Quenzler claimed that she is not allowed to draw jurors, but everybody else is.
Artist says she enjoys seeing a defendant’s reactions to the verdict, and captures it in her sketches.
Her demeanour, body language and posture are all very important indicators, she said.
Julia Quenzler is yet to provide details about the Wagatha Christie trial coverage.
Artist’s impression of Rebekah Vardy (left), with Wayne Rooney and Coleen Rooney (right) looking on at the Royal Courts of Justice, London, May 10.
Rebekah Vardy cries at the London Court on May 11, 2011. Artist’s impression taken by Julia Quenzler
Rebekah Vardy, Wayne and Coleen Rooney at the Royal Courts of Justice London (May 10). Artist’s impression taken by Julia Quenzler
Julia Quenzler’s artist impression of Coleen & Wayne Rooney, Royal Courts of Justice May 13, 2012.
Julia Quenzler’s artist impression of Rebekah Varidy giving evidence (right), with Wayne Rooney and Coleen looking on (center) at the Royal Courts of Justice, London, May 11.