WIP Final

I wish I had the opportunity to find out more about this man but unfortunately, I don’t even know his name.  He has such a compelling face, a story to tell and I wonder what he was thinking when his picture was taken.  I hope I have done a good job capturing him emotion and portraying his humanity.

I added more value in his face and coat before using workable fixative. Graphite dust was used on the background to create more depth.  At some point I might go back to this drawing to add more detail.

Photo reference: Robert Dziewulski

WIP Update

I’m sorry, I should have posted an update earlier in the week, but I have been a little busy this week and although I have completed this drawing I’ll still show my progress and hopefully a final post tomorrow.

At this stage his shirt and all of the elements of the drawing are completed.  The biggest problem I had with his shirt and coat was trying to get an overall shape (value & form) and a transition from his shirt into his coat.  The texture in his coat was extremely inviting but I opted to skimp and use general texture.  I know I will look at this and regret taking a short cut and should have put in the time to do a better job.

Up to this point, I’ve never used an HB pencil in my drawings and have only used 2H & 2B pencils thinking I could get as good of a value range without it.  I guess hind sight is 20/20.  I’m growing as an artist and coming to accept I should use more tools and techniques.

Rookie Painter



8”x 11”. Watercolor on Arches CP.



I’m glad I took a little break from drawing and painted "Rookie Painter" December challenge.   Rookie Painter is an online art challenge for all to participate and take whatever interpretation of the photo challenge. 

It’s been about three months since I’ve worked with watercolor and although that isn’t really a long time, I do feel a little rusty.   I still had fun and am fairly happy with the result.  My only struggle was with the color mixing but I guess it’s not that bad for not working in watercolor since last fall. 

Now it’s time for black & white again!  Just kidding, I’m not done with color but I still have to learn the basics so I’ll dabble a little.  I do have some deadlines coming up so I might have to make a b-line back into color and put drawing on the back burner at least for the summer.   Umm summer, so much color, warmth and the great outdoors!

WIP 2

I initially thought his face would have been slightly easier to capture but there is a slight angle in his face.  I hope I captured his emotions in this phase.  Now it’s time to move into his shoulders.  Can I say he’s done at this stage (no neck and shoulders, just a head)?  Just kidding onward I go.

Commission

I’m so happy I was commissioned to capture a new stage of life for this family.  Her grandfather wanted to capture his daughter and son-in-law as a couple getting ready to enter their new stage in life.

 

‘New stage of life’

 18”x 24”. Graphite on Arches CP.

 

These portraits are meant to be a set.  The photos were taken of the mother and daughter when they were around the same age.  

‘Mother’ and ‘daughter’

9.5”x12” Graphite on Arches CP.

WIP

I’m finally at a point in my work I can take a break and get back to a few pieces I have been waiting to start.  The reference photo is very detailed and has a lot of textures. 

I was initially drawn to the photo for the opportunity to capture a good likeness of this man, but it was his face and emotions that really tells a story.  If I can capture his likeness and emotions then it was well worth it.