Charcoal Portrait
 

Dear friends, I think I will call this portrait finished. 30cm x 40cm charcoal on Roma, Fabriano paper.

This portrait is of a friends daughter (we go to the same church) but the family does not know that I am doing it. I started it for personal reasons, in preparation for my next exhibition. I'm not sure what I will say if they ask to buy it?

Sorry, I did not keep track of time I spent on this. It did take quite a few hours.
As for the process I use the Bargue method, draw it out with soft sharp charcoal, using comparative measurements, always striving for 100% accuracy.

Mischa,

This is breathtaking! She lifts off the paper in the most amazing way, starting with the lower part of the paper, you've gradually increased the three-dimensional illusion until the head seems convincingly real and rounded. That, along with your mastery of texture and value, is what I call total control. Yet you avoid the sterile effect of pure rendering and add that "something more" to make her come alive.

Thank you so much Alex! I derived so much from this portrait in many respects. One way to describe my feeling while in process, is the feeling of piking up a book, a 1000 page book, and not being able to put it down. When ever sleep would get the better of me, I would leave my work area with the feeling of anticipation, that I will come back with a fresh eye. I'm sure many of you have had these bursts of artistic bliss.

Thank you again.

Great job over again!

Spectacular! -- John C.

A wonderfully masterful drawing. It definitely has that something more!

Mischa,

It

Thank you Claudemir. The more I work the more I learn.

John, after each completed project, I've come to realize that there is more to learn. That thought, in it self, is like you say "spectacular" in my minds eye.
Thank you for the compliment.

Julie, I thought I saw something before I started and thought to strive for it. Thank you for noticing that something and letting me know that I'm there.

Olena, thank you and keep up the good work. I visited your web page and I can honestly say that art is what you should strive for.

We, as artists, are a strange bunch but its fun when you know you are not alone.

Mischa, that's an inspiring piece of work, and a very touching subject. I have a funny feeling the parents are going to want that drawing VERY badly!

I have to say, the control you have with charcoal just amazes me. Now where's my Bargue book...

Paul, I debated weather to post this or not but remembering the interest of some in regard to the Bargue method led me to post. Even though the Bargue book seems self explanatory it is not. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a excellent book but there is so much that is missing, like Bargue and the little hints how to.

I'm glad that I was able to given you something.

Wish you the best and keep up the good work. By the way I like your self portrait.

Thanks Mischa.

It's true what you say about the Bargue book. It has great coverage of the sight size technique but very little on how to apply the charcoal. Now that I'm getting onto the tonal plates I have many questions on that.

Just a thought, but since you have such excellent control over the medium, perhaps you could post something, maybe a demonstration of the techniques you use? I'm sure that I and many others here would find it instructive, if you could spare the time of course.

Paul, if you and others wish, I could take the time and walk you through the steps but you must be ready to do the work. To take photos as I work would be to complicated for me and it would take to much time, the time I just do not have at this time. A photo would not give you what one needs to understand.

So, if you really wish? This will not be easy and be ready to do what I ask.

Pick a plate from 1,5-1,10, out of the Bargue book, and set it up. I have described the set up process in a thread i think it was to Ilaria when she was headed for Italy. When you have the setup done take a photo and post it as a new thread. Anyone else wish to join please do the same. If one does not go through the procedure it will be difficult to understand, even if I explain. Even if one sees it being done, it will not be easy to understand and learn as the one doing it.

All the work on the Bargue plates is first to be done in 2B pencil. If you wish to go straight to the charcoal than I cannot help. I say this because it is difficult enough to learn the process and if you add the managing of the charcoal with it it will be to much to explain.

I hope this makes sense.

Mischa,

It's difficult to believe that in years to come you'll look at this portrait again and say "I wish I had done better".

That's a drawing that you can be proud of for the rest of your life.

Simon

Mischa, that's very generous of you, I hadn't envisioned anything quite as involved as this, I was thinking more of some pointers on charcoal technique. But I'm game if you are. I don't want to cut into your time, but if you can do this I think it will be useful to lots of other people, not just me. Certainly I'm willing to do the work. If we start this, and at any point it becomes too time consuming for you, please feel free to call a halt. We can always pick it up later.

As it happens, I'm just about to start plate 5 having just finished plate 4. I've done all the plates in charcoal do far, you can see them here:
Bargue plates 1 - 4
That might help to give you some idea of where I'm at currently (I haven't posted the 6 small ears from plate 4 yet, they should be going up on the site tomorrow).

Whilst I'd rather continue with charcoal, I'll be happy to work in a 2B pencil if that's what you recommend. I should be picking up my full size blow up of plate 5 from the printers tomorrow, I'll start the thread once it's set up.

Simon, that is a weary nice thing to say thank you. I get quite attached to all my work and hate to part with any. Each time a commissioned peace leaves my home a part of me goes with it. I have visited your page and believe you know what I'm saying. Excellent work Simon!

Mischa, this is beautiful and velvety, and absolutely not kitsch despite the sentimental subject. For me the latter is the most difficult accomplishment, which I think is due to the perfect handling of the charcoal.
Just great work
Ilaria

PS; Micha,despite all my good intentions I only worked on one Bargue plate this summer, and must confess I did not enjoy it at all. I think I'll pick it up again. How do you reproduce the plates ?
I had photocopies not up to standard. Also what I found long and pointless was to claculate the placement of different drawings on the same plate, for example that one of the eyes.

The tonal sensitivity in this drawing is amazing.

Well done!

Ilaria, thank you for the nice compliments. I will do my best to stay humble.

In answer to your Q: It is not easy to get a good reproduction from the book. I think the best way to do a good reproduction is to go to a print shop that has a professional quality scanner. The size if the reproduction should not be to big A4 size paper is fine. The fut, that is on my web page, is only 19cm tall. So, the reproduction should be the best that you can get in order to see the tonal values, half-tons, reflected lights and details.

If you care to join Paul's thread, or start one your self, I would be happy to walk you through the process.


Tom, I appreciate you taking the time and for sharing your observations with me. A sincere Thank You.

Mischa,
beautiful and sensible !

Mischa,
I am in total awe when seeing those values, it has tooth as opposite to being woolly.
The situation is so typical for the age, being present and experiencing the wonders of nature. Dandelion seeds blowing in the wind.

Marina, thank you and I know what you mean.

Allan, I would be in your area hopefully sometimes in the spring. Maybe we can share a few ideas. Thank you my friend.

Mischa,

I have to ask

Anyone that wishes may join in. I do not have the 5th plate but do have one that is in the same category that I can e-mail to anyone that wishes to join in.

All are welcome. Just to let you all know, this procedure is not just training your eye but it is the prep work for charcoal and painting.

Mischa,
I would really appreciate if you would e-mail me the plate you have. My e-mail is [email protected]
Thank you,
Olena

Olena It should be in your mailbox. It is a tif file, a large file, so you should be able to get a good copy.

Mischa,
My house is yours. We have plenty of room and look forward to meet you. I will send you my address and how to get there when I am back from France. My wife and I are going to visit some friends in the south of France, living in an old village. I have packed my gear and hope to come home with some smashing countryside paintings, he he ;)

Thank you Allan. I look forward to our getting together. I think in the spring would be best being that I will be quite busy for the next while.

I once planed to move to the southern part of France but it was not to be. I believe God knows best and directs us in the direction best for us. I wish you both a pleasant and a safe journey.

Wish you all the best

Dear Mischa, I visited your website yesterday and also saw this portrait. It is really beautiful. I like that she is not posing, but concentrated on the flower in her hands.

Wunderbar!

Misha, somehow I missed this or got side tracked and forgot to respond. Besides everything already mentioned, the rendering of her hands are just breath taking.

Binaca, Thank you for visiting my web page and for commenting on this drawing. I appreciate you sincere consideration.

Enzie, its understandable, at times we just have a few moments to glance and of we go to our busy everyday life. Still, you did take the time to write and share that you like what I did. That in it self says a lot. Thank you Enzie!

All the best to you.

Detail
 

Close up

Micha, thanks for posting the details--they show what amazing choices you made during the process.

Alex, you are welcome. Well, if what I post or say helps but one person then I am happy. I try my best to lear and think outside the box.