Gabriela

James McDowell · 10-16-2005, 07:51 PM

This is the first portrait that I have posted in this section and I am not sure if it completely belongs here.
This is a portrait of my niece Gabriela. It is 14"X11" charcoal, carbon, and graphite on Saunders Waterford hot press watercolor paper.
Thank you for any comments.
-James

Henry Wienhold · 10-17-2005, 12:01 AM

Yes, I think it belongs here no problem with that. This is excellent work. Makes me want to do a finished portrait in charcoal.

James McDowell · 10-17-2005, 10:12 AM

Thank you Henry.
I have noticed that everyone post close-ups, so I thought i would do the same.

Linda Brandon · 10-17-2005, 10:45 AM

James, this is very beautifully drawn. I also like how you've vignetted this pose. Can you explain exactly how you used all these drawing media on the same paper?

James McDowell · 10-17-2005, 06:07 PM

Thank you Linda! I started this one by masking her off and using a graphite powder and a paintbrush to tone the background. Then I used carbon to draw in her hair, eyes, and nostril. I also used charcoal for the largest areas of her hair. Once all the darkest areas were in I used HB and B graphite for the skin tones building them in layers and slightly blending them. Once the skin tones were completed I did the dress in 2H, HB, and B with no blending.
Hope that makes sense.
-James

Alexandra Tyng · 10-22-2005, 10:58 PM

James,

I've looked at this several times and couldn't quite figure out what I wanted to say. First of all, her expression is fascinating for some reason, maybe because she's looking sideways and one eye is more open and direct, the other more veiled and mischevious. Also her mouth is intriguing. And it's drawn so well. A really unusual portrait.

Alex