Third time's a charm
 

This was a real challenge for several reasons, first it is a double portrait (first go round I finished one girl well and the other not so well, second go round the reverse happened - Aarg!) Second, how to handle the negative space between their heads. Third, the angle of the girl on your left was very hard to draw for me. Lastly, the girl on your left had a collar which covered her chin and neck completely. Used a stand in, thank you for the suggestion, Julie, I think. But I am pretty happy with the results and it will be on it's way to Ct this week.

Thank you for your help in critiques!

ps sorry it is a bit blurry. I see that the eye furthest to your left looks less "crisp", it is result the reflection of light - darn graphite.

Pat,

Grate balance between lost and found, detail and distance, shadow and light. Awesome!

Thank you, Mischa. This is a high complement! I still see edges that need to recede a bit and will probably fiddle a little more tonight.

Patricia,
This is a really beautiful drawing. I agree with what Mischa has said. It is such a delicate drawing, yet done with such confidence and mastery. Beautiful expressions on the girls. Whoever is getting this work of art will be blown away.

David

Thank you, David. I don't know about confidence and mastery because I really struggled with this. But I'm happy it gives off that impression. The woman who has commissioned this piece is also representing my work in her small gallery in Ct. So, of course, I wanted a strong piece for her to show clients. She is having a show in May and this and two other drawings of mine will be exhibited.

Pat, I look forward to seeing your drawings every time I notice you have a new post. There is such delicacy in the way you handle graphite, and you capture the expressions so well. Congratulations on the connection to the gallery in CT. I hope she gets some commissions for you. (Can't imagine why she wouldn't.)

Beautiful Pat! but this is a tease -- I'd love to see some bigger images of it! ;)

You really captured a beautiful expression. I liked the teeth very much.

Ps.
 

What sort of pencil and paper did you use?

I just returned from the post office. Does anyone else get the feeling of lettin go of a "child" when they send their work out to the client? I have a sort of ritual before sending, saying a little prayer as it goes on it way! My family accuses me of being too emotional but for portraiture I think it has great value...

Thank you for your great compliments Alexandra and Terri, they mean allot to me. I haven't figured out how to post a small pic here where you can click to a larger view.

To answer your questions, Claudemir, my favorite graphite pencils are Staedler Mars which I have to order from Dick Blick because can't get them in Cleveland. The paper is a light gray Mi-Teintes, on the smooth side. My approach is a snails pace but I put in very light washes of graphite, slowly building with softer pencils, going no softer than a 6B (advice from Juan Martinez). And I learned from Jimmie Arroya that is softens and make a portrait more cohesive to do another light wash with the harder lead at the end. Currently it takes me over 30 hours to complete a drawing.

Hi Pat,

I just saw this and wanted to chime in as well. Very nice! I like the soft feel and their expressions as well. The client is very lucky!

Thank you, Enzie. I tweaked it a bit this morning and took a better ref photo, attached. Now it is on it's way!

VERY nice Pat!
Funny, they look like they could be your own kids (sort of resemble your little thumbnail image). I'm sure their mother is thrilled with it! Who wouldn't be?

Stunning Patty! I can't get over how deftly you handle these challenges. I'm really envious. :thumbsup:

Thank you Heidi and Molly,
I always get so nervous when I send the commissions out to the client (this one lives in Ct). I don't know about you but by the time I am finished with a piece I question every little nuance and have no clue what response I will be getting. So the encouraging remarks here in unveilings always help me worry less!!! Am I the only artist who struggles with this? Will it get better the more commissions I do?

I just received an email from my last commission and she asked if she could post the image of her daughter on a parents email list -
Y E S, O F C O U R S E ! :)

OOOOHHHH Pat! I think this is one of my favorites - I love that people still draw!

Have you tried using a silver-point yet? You have such a graceful stroke you would do wonderfully, plus they are worth more too (meaning in cost hierarchy)! ;)


It really is beautiful, three times aye? Well it was certainly worth it!

Thank you Elizabeth!
I have not considered silverpoint, but I always love looking at drawing done in silverpoint in museums. Maybe I will give it a whirl. You have to be really confident in each stroke, don't you? No erasing?? I might not be quite there yet, but would be fun to practice.

Try practicing with some pen and ink first, I bet you would be great at it. I haven't mustered the courage to use my silverpoint yet either.