Miguel

Nitram Charcoal - 3 hour pose

Some commented that it looked "classic" or a bit "Sargent" meaning it looked as though it was created in a different time. On one hand, it's a big complement; on the other hand, I would like to avoid being dated and anachronistic in style. Overall, I enjoyed drawing Miguel; he did a great job posing.

Command Z please!

Working on the mac for my design job has the benefit undoing mistakes by going back into history and starting over from that point. Hand crafted art doesn't have this advantage, but there is Photoshop. On the left is the final art. On the right I've corrected for my drawing flaws. You can see that Ina has a beautiful Eastern European, moon-shaped face and very narrow nose. Nailing the structure early on is crucial. An easy fix for distortion, moving forward, is to work with an easel instead of a drawing board on my lap or make certain the paper is parallel to my face. Working on an angle runs the risk of distorting the drawing - usually making it too long if gone unchecked. I may have seen a circle but was really working with an oval.

Considering the bar's tight space, an easel will not fit, so I will need to hold up my drawing more frequently to check for accuracy.

Ina at the Cafe

charcoal and conte

Another Friday night at the Literary Cafe. The first of four sessions ended and I had to start over - it just wasn't right. Time was tight having only three hours total.  I enjoyed drawing her blonde hair. It was the perfect opportunity to create a balance of linear areas.

New tools

Nitram Charcoal

I finally got my package from Dick Blick - I felt as if I was opening a gift. The charcoals are beautiful! I even purchased the large blocks; I'm a bit intimidated at the thought of using them - they seem so precious in their new state.  I noticed that the charcoal did not make crumbs like other brands. Also, my fingers were relatively clean compared to using compressed charcoal. As I worked on the drawing as a whole, I found that several areas were accidentally lifted off and needed to be reapplied. There is definitely a learning curve in using charcoal that moves like paint and can be erased. Fixative is a must. This product is a definite keeper!

Every bit does count

Charcoal

I enjoyed doing the hair on this portrait. Unfortunately, I think I aged her ... perhaps the mouth and chin area make her look older. I must have been off slightly; it could be only a few millimeters, but a subtle difference on a portrait can be all the difference between one person and the next or looking older...Finding a balance between accuracy and expression is quite a challenge.

Every little bit counts or does it?

This tiny little 4" x 6" pencil drawing was completed during breaks for a long pose. I hate to say it, but it came out better than the larger drawing of her husband which took hours longer. I'm trying to get more expressive and leave out parts of the drawing making each mark or stroke count. simplify - say more with less - make each mark meaningful and beautiful on it's own - allow the eye to fill in what is seemingly undone. Sargent mastered this well. I think this one achieved my goal much more so than the larger drawing. I experimented with charcoal for her husband's pose and unfortunately the results were overworked and lacking in spontaneity.  I debated posting it, but... well...here it is.

Charcoal

Thankfully, I'm always good at getting an accurate likeness. If you ever see these people on the streets of LA, it will likely be them. Technique and style is lacking though... I heard about Nitram charcoals and I'm planning on getting a set. More to come.