Three in charcoal

Andrea Cranmer · 03-12-2004, 01:48 AM

This portrait is approximately 10" x 12", charcoal. I am posting it as finished since it has already been sprayed with a fixative - although I do appreciate any advice I can use in the future. (plus, I might still be able to tweak this one a bit) I have so much to learn...

As for a self-critique, the older boy seems a bit pasty looking, maybe due to over-modeling? There is a line in his shirt I would like to remove. Also, I should have enlarged my daughter's eyes a bit. The picture was taken outside, and I couldn't believe how the kids cooperated! They are, of course, my inspiration.

Thanks for looking.
Andrea

Jeff Fuchs · 03-12-2004, 09:20 AM

Beautiful work. Very painterly.

<< that's a thumb's up...

<< and this is a pat on the back.

Mike McCarty · 03-12-2004, 10:05 AM

Andrea,

An artful execution, all three very believable.

Patricia Joyce · 03-12-2004, 10:35 AM

Andrea,
This is a beautiful portrait. All three look great which is a feat in itself, I'm sure. What paper did you use? Did you use charcoal pencils? I usually work in graphite but am tempted to do my next portrait in charcoal pencils. You seem to have good control over the medium, which I find is very difficult to do.

Adorable children, by the way!!!

Linda Brandon · 03-12-2004, 10:39 AM

Andrea, they will be fighting over this in thirty years or so. Beautiful job!

Mary Sparrow · 03-12-2004, 12:01 PM

Love it! Great job.

Jeff Fuchs · 03-12-2004, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda Brandon

Andrea, they will be fighting over this in thirty years or so. Beautiful job!

That's a good point. Better draw two more

Andrea Cranmer · 03-12-2004, 02:59 PM

Jeff, Mike, Patricia, Linda, and Mary,

Wow! Thank you all so much for your kind remarks. My heart did cartwheels when I read such nice words from such talented artists. I'm just coming off a complete failure and was wondering how on earth I thought I could do this. Maybe there is still a glimmer of hope... The photo I used as a reference was intended for our Christmas card this year, but I ended up drawing a portrait for the card instead. The feedback was very positive.

Again, thank you so much.

Andrea Cranmer · 03-12-2004, 03:20 PM

Patricia,

I just went to the art store today to figure out what paper I had used for this. It was Canson Colorline - and I did use charcoal pencils. I hesitate to recommend anything since I am so inexperienced and haven't tried many different papers yet. This was only my second portrait since I put my pencils down over ten years ago. I will say, however, that this portrait seemed more effortless then my more recent attempts which could be due to the paper. I feel much more comfortable with graphite as well, but became so frustrated with the inability to do dark enough that I decided to give charcoal a try. I actually cheated and started with graphite on the lighter areas, then used charcoal for the darker areas and somehow merged the two.

Your latest portrait of your son's friend, along with Jimmie Arroyo's work has inspired me to try using toned paper with white pastel highlights. I can't wait!

David Draime · 03-12-2004, 03:50 PM

Two Thumbs WAY UP!!