Kasey in pastel

Molly Sherrick Phifer · 07-31-2005, 08:05 PM

This is a pastel on Wallis, about 12 x 18 inches. Kasey is my stepdaughter who sat reading a book while I did the portrait in about 2.5 hours today.

After trying a portrait from life in my oil painting class, I was anxious to see how I would do with the pastels (my usual medium). I feel o.k. about this as a first attempt (lots of oopses), but would love some suggestions for improvement.

Here is the process I used: For the first 20-30 minutes all I did was measure. I used my see thru ruler to get relative measurements of the height and width of the face, neck, torso, shoulders. Then I measured the relative placements of the eyes, nose tip, mouth, chin and hairline. Next I rough sketched the portrait in charcoal and made refinements. I did not put in any shading, I just drew outlines of the shaded areas so that I would have the shapes of the light, middle and dark tones down accurately. That sounds a lot easier than it was, and I had to correct a lot of errors as I went. Finally, nearly an hour into the process, I started applying color. Darks first, then middle tones then lights. I moved around the portrait and worked on all parts.

This would have been a real mess if I hadn't been using a sanded support with a really good tooth. I found I was not very good at figuring the right colors straight away.

Alexandra Tyng · 08-01-2005, 09:15 AM

I really like this, Molly. I think all the measuring and preparation paid off because she looks well-proportioned. I also like your color choices. Pretty good for 2 1/2 hours!

Alex

Molly Sherrick Phifer · 08-01-2005, 05:32 PM

I really value your input! I have been thinking for a year that I should paint from life but have just been too chicken to do it. There's so much of a feeling of safety in working from a photo. That really is a false sense, however, and I wish that I had started this sooner. I am just SO grateful to have discovered this "new" learning tool.

The more I learn about the art of portraiture, the more I realize I have to learn!

Cheers

Chris Saper · 08-02-2005, 12:45 AM

There is , in MHO, no time better spent that the upfront energy of thinking, measuring, considering, measuring, etc. It all results in a better, more predictable, and more easily realized end.

Great job.

Molly Sherrick Phifer · 08-03-2005, 10:08 PM

Chris, I have to tell you that so much of my progress this past year has been due to the invaluable instruction I've had from your book. I just love it! My sister, who doesn't draw or paint, stole it from me when she visited and couldn't put it down. She was just fascinated by way you are able to break down and expain color theory and then show practical ways to apply it to working with a varitey of media. Just super.

Lon Haverly · 08-09-2005, 11:10 PM

This is nice, Molly! Colors, shapes, and all.

If I were you, I would have shown a bit of the book to help the viewer understand what is going on and tell the whole story in the drawing, even if it were just an impression.