Waiting in the Little Black Dress

Jean Kelly · 12-03-2007, 02:55 PM

Hi all,

This is 15"x26", charcoal and conte on paper. After much trial and tribulation, I am finally ready to call this done. I thank every one who encouraged me to keep going with this drawing, I am blessed to have such "angels" on my shoulders.

Jean

Marina Dieul · 12-03-2007, 08:58 PM

Great work, Jean !
I followed your WIP when I could find some time and what a surprise and improvement when you came with color ! It really pays to take some risks : you've created a nice athmosphere!

Jean Kelly · 12-04-2007, 12:25 AM

Thank you very much, Marina. I consider this an honor, as I find your conte and charcoal drawings exquisite. As you know I had trouble with the types of charcoal and oil spots on my original drawing. I also used all my charcoal up and don't want to order supplies right now, so I have a question for you. i found a plentiful source of charcoal in my fireplace! It seems to handle beautifully on some Somerset Velvet paper that I have. It is quite soft and very dark until I start to manipulate it. Have you or anyone else tried this? All I have to do is clean off the ash and I have a deep velvety black hunk.

When I first applied the color, I was terrified. Then I figured, why not? As far as I was concerned the drawing was ruined anyway (I didn't know about scraping as an alternative to erasing). But I have to admit that I was scared, but also excited at the same time. I like how it turned out.

Jean

Marina Dieul · 12-04-2007, 09:46 AM

I know people who tried succesfully this kind of charcoal, but not on somerset velvet paper though !
Their sanguine was some kind of red stones, hematite.

The best way to find some technique you will like is to discover them yourself, you can then really appropriate it ( even if some people also discovered them 30 000 years ago !)

At least, you don't have to worry about the longevity of such technique !

Jean Kelly · 12-06-2007, 02:13 PM

Marina, I didn't realize that you have been around long enough to have "known" these people! You look so young for your age.

I live in an area of hills and valleys that were carved out by glaciers all those years ago. There is an incredibly colored rock, very soft, and a rose colored brownish red, that is plentiful here. When the sun hits it, it is almost a neon color. It often makes me stop and catch my breath for the sheer beauty of it. When spring comes around again, (we are already frozen here with ice and snow), I will try drawing with it. I'll have to do a search now and try to identify it--------my geology is a little rusty!

I guess you could call this "getting back to nature".

Jean