I will post one of Paul Calle's drawings tomorrow. But for now, here is one of today's sketches. Also, I will refer you to a prior post at the following link:
http://forum.portraitartist.com/showthread.php?t=2180
This is a six minute sketch. Not a great drawing, but a good likeness.
So what constitutes a likeness? Clearly, not only a photographic replica. I consider myself a realist. My portraits are considered good likenesses, even though they are impressionistic.
The problem comes in when beginners try to do a photographic portrait in graphite, but because they overwork it, or do not have it perfect, it falls short of perfection. Unfortunately, the viewer is going to be more critical of a photographic drawing. A simpler drawing might achieve a better likeness, not because it is so great, but because it tricks the mind into an easier mood, and it accepts the drawing because it (the mind) fills in the details which the artist intentionally left out.
In my case, I hope that the line quality will carry the drawing and make it pleasing.
This is one shot drawing. Each line is drawn once, and final. It is very systematic, and subconscious. It is the chiseled point method, which I was taught as a boy. I was told by the late Vitt Rogazki, famed Hollywood portrait artist trained in Italy, Paris and London that it is reminiscent of the method taught in the great art school of Florence.
I would like to see this method taught to beginning art students, as well as the tight style of photo realism. Much can be gained in the quick sketch.