Christine's coming along
 

Well, I think my awful dry spell is over. I am happy with the progress so far. This is graphite and white pastel on Stonehenge toned paper. I think I am discovering this is the best paper for me to work on. I like being able to use the toned paper as the neutral, and especially like using the white pastel for highlights.

I'm concerned about the rest of the hair, and we'll see how far I take the satin fabric.

Any critiques would be helpful. Chris and Kris (my son) saw it last night and they are real pleased with it, so I am happy that her likeness is good. Just as long as I don't ruin what I have done so far, I have been doing this a lot lately (very disheartening to say the least).

The "line" down her cheek on our right will be the shadow of a strand of hair. And I stopped just as I was beginning to form the neck, so the shadow under her jaw is not where I want it to be.

Not sure what it is but something about this (the pose, the expression?) said "Tony Ryder" to me. Very nice start!

You are absolutely right Michelle! I tried to remember everything I learned in his workshop and I had his book out, as I had just finished rereading it. So I tried to think about creating the skin and thinking about how nothing is straight or flat, everything on the body is round. It really made me get back into that zone, that had eluded me since before my surgery two months ago.

I did not work on it yesterday. Maybe you, or someone else could shed some light. For some reason my drawing looks like her head is tilting more than the reference. I don't think I mind it, but I can't figure out what is creating the look. Could it just be that I have not "put in" the hair. The lines I have for the back of her head/hair are fuller than the reference, I will make that adjustment.

Thank you for the compliment, Michelle! Wish me luck on the rest of the piece. . .

Great start Patricia! I really like how you rotated / change the pose from the reference picture. It really makes a difference. Good job.

I prefer your drawing to the reference photo, and it looks very much like her. So far, it's lovely Patricia. I wouldn't take the fabric very far with this one, it will detract from the softness of her face. I would say that you are over your block and have come back with flying colors.

Jean

Thank you Josef and Jean,

I am really glad you like the tilt of her head in the drawing. It was not intentional, except that as I was concentrating on the drawing I kept thinking about Chris' sweetness and the way she tilts her head and has a quiet smile. Intuitive? Wouldn't that be cool!

I agree that the fabric should remain unfinished. I like that look anyways. But I do want to finish her hand and may have to do some indication of more drapery so that it doesn't look to be floating?

Pat-
This is just beautiful, she has a madonna-like quality to her, sweet and serene.

Pat,
I also like the tilt of her head in the drawing better than the reference; with her expression, it clearly communicates a bright and appealing personality. You have definitely come back from your artist block.

Hi Pat,

Since you know the routine, I

Thank you Terri, Chuck ad Steven,

Thank you Terri and Chuck for the compliments!! My full intention was to draw out her sweetness, which I failed to do in the previous SIX drawings I've attempted - this one seems to be working!! It is a great boost to my confidence to read these remarks . . .

Steven, your observations are acute and keen as always, and greatly appreciated. Some of the issues I was aware of, others I would not have seen without a second pair of critical eyes (the forward edge of neck, shoulder anatomy, catch light in eyes) I have much to study before getting back to her, which will not be until the weekend. So she is on my easel in my living room, where I can study and think about my approach reference your notes.

A couple of things I did purposefully. I elongated the neck because the photo did not do her decoulatage justice and I wanted it to appear as graceful as she appears in life. But I did not consider enough the angle of the shadow and it's affect. This will take much more consideration.

Yes there is a funny bulge on the tip of her nose! There is a line I took out last night and instantly it read much better. I did have a hard time with the shadow under our left eye and I will follow your advice and not be as "true" to the photo contrast - I like that shadow and wanted it rendered well, but have been frustrated by it I guess cuz I was putting too much emphasis on the "crescent of light"?

Ok, you caught me, forgetting that the eyeballs are round!! So MANY things to always be thinking about in a portrait drawing!!

More later . . .