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Old 11-28-2002, 03:56 PM   #4
Jim Riley Jim Riley is offline
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FT Pro 35 yrs
 
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Joined: Jul 2001
Location: Lancaster, PA
Posts: 305
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Mike,

I'll guess 15 minutes for the drawing which is kept somewhat lose, sketchy, and sometimes playful. I have been drawing for many years and trust that I will be fairly accurate with key features and worry more so about the composition. I also know that I will be drawing with my brush as I proceed. In my first wash I try to get interesting local color in a light but not too timid color and often leaving highlights as white paper. The middle values define the forms and is the step that requires the most courage as I try to establish the major forms, keep color interesting, and soften edges without too much playing around and risking muddy water. If that second step (I'm oversimplifying) is correctly done I have confidence that I can place features accurately and often won't search for initial drawing underneath. I'll check the model and locate the iris where it should be, and not necessarily where I first drew it.

I like to save the initial drawing as it allows the viewer to share the experience and therefore I only remove lines that are somewhat distracting.
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Jim Riley
Lancaster Pa. Portrait Artist
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