Finished Work

Here's the finished commission I was working on.  Very pleased with the outcome! I've added the original photo I was working from for comparison.  I really enjoyed working on this piece.  I hope it's just the start of many more!

Sneak Peak!

I apologize in the lateness of this weeks post. I am working on a commissioned piece, and should have a final image to post soon. In the mean time, here's a teaser....

This is just a scan of the rough sketch on the canvas. The final is acrylic on a 11 x 14 canvas.  As I was prepping the canvas, I was brought back to my days in college, spending late nights stretching canvas and painting on many layers of gesso. I had forgotten how relaxing I found the methodolical task of stretching a cavas! It's a good way to start off the relationship with the painting, one staple at a time. And the sound of the thump the taught cavas makes when it's done is so satisfing, just like a drum!

Besides using this piece for my portfolio, I am also using it as a test to get an approximate time on how long a portrait takes me.  I am building my portfolio so that I can someday put it up on Etsy and commission portraits that way, and by have a good idea of what I can do in what length of time I will have a good grasp on a pricing scale. Where the painting stands now, including the work that went into what is pictured above, I am roughly about 3.5 hours in, and doing well. Should have it completed this evening or tomorrow.  At this point, I am very excited about it and can't wait to finish up to share with my customer and all of you! 

Check back in a few days for the final image!

Drawing Poe



                             Poe                       2012

When brainstorming for who to draw a portrait of for this week, I thought back on stories I have recently read.  Not so long ago, I read The Murders in the Rue Morgue , by Edgar Allen Poe, which is the first contemporary detective story to be put onto paper.  This story went onto inspire Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write the Sherlock Holmes series of short stories, which I have also read quite a few of.  I figured since Poe inspired me to spend endless nights reading these stories, the least I could do is draw a picture of him.   

Since Poe has some dark and slightly exaggerated features I decided to work in charcoal for his portrait.  This lead to both good and bad elements to the finished piece.   The charcoal worked well in the eye area because there was more drama and contrast.  I was able to achieve the dark shadows I wanted using the charcoal, therefore ending up with more detail and realism in the eyes.

Close up of eyes

However, when I moved to the chin area, I encountered an issue.  I was not able to blend the charcoal as smoothly in the mid-tone grey.  It left some harsher looking lines within the shaded area.  It is a minor issue, but a pet peeve of mine.  I think with a little more practice, I will be able to avoid this issue in the future.

Close up of chin

Next week I'm going to change it up a bit from my recent work.  I have a fun drawing of a gargoyle that I am going to be adding some fun colors to with watercolor or gouache.  Also, my portrait of the week will be a pet portrait in acrylic paint.   Please tune in and see how it's going!

As far as this week goes, I would love to hear what your favorite art medium is and if you have any pet peeves with it.  



Portrait A Week

Ok, so I've decided to do a portrait a week in addition to anything else I might come up with.  I want to really practice drawing the face until it becomes second nature to me.  I would eventually like to have enough of a portfolio to put it up online and do commissioned portraits for a living-ish.  This is something I've always been encouraged to do, and have thought of over and over myself, but have always been hesitant to do.  Well, not anymore. I'm finally going for it .  I always say I want a job I enjoy doing, and this is definately it.  It's always been my go-to gift for friends and family for special occasions, so now I'm going to encourage other people to do the same by commissioning me!

This weeks portrait subject is Howard Hughes. A couple of weeks ago I was doing so research on aviation for ideas for drawings and came across him.  For anyone unfamilar with him (like I was) I'll give a little history, a la wikipedia. Hughes (1905-1976)  was once one of the wealthiest people in the world.  In the 1920's he became a film producer, often making controversial and big budget movies.  What brought my attention to him was the fact that he played a very influential role in aviation history.  He set mutliple air speed records, built mulitple planes, and owned Trans World Airlines, which later merged with American Airlines.  Hughes also suffered from obsessive-complusive disorder that drove him to live an eccentric and hermit like life. Obviously, there is much more to the story, but I'll let you do that research yourselves. 

Not every portrait will have as much of a back story as this one, but I hope that they will each bring enjoyment to you, the viewer.  I would like to get a wide range of faces into my portfolio, so if anyone has any sugestions as to what/who they would like to see me draw, let me know! Animals too!