Posthumous Commission

Patricia Joyce · 04-12-2005, 10:21 AM

Hi,
This is almost done and is for a daughter, a portrait of her deceased mom. The step mom will be in from New York this weekend, so it has to be finished by then. I am posting a poor pic of the reference, but you can get an idea. I am happy with the likeness and am just wondering about how "finished" to make the hair. It just looks black and very dark and her ear is sticking out in the photo and I don't know how good it would look in the drawing. I see, looking at the image I have to tone down the corner of her mouth on our left to push it back more. Anything else glaring out at anyone??

Thanks for looking.

Patricia Joyce · 04-12-2005, 10:24 AM

A close-up

Jimmie Arroyo · 04-12-2005, 11:22 AM

Hi Pat,

This is coming out great! I don't see an issue with the ear, but you should ask before deciding to eliminate it. I would leave it in assuming it was part of the lady's character. It looks like it would have always been poking out.

I would leave a medium tone near the highlights in the hair. Have it go dark, then use your judgement with lightening it as it goes near the highlight.

If you don't mind, here are three examples from the same drawing of a girl with black hair. You can see a mid-tone before the highlights in the top of the head one. The second is mostly mid and dark, and the third shows a path of where I would put highlights if it were needed and not clear in the reference. You may already be using one, but I get the the brightest parts with a kneaded eraser that I shape so it has a edge, then lightly drag it along. Hope it helps, and I apologize if I'm telling you stuff you already know.

I'll be waiting for the finish. Good luck.

Patricia Joyce · 04-12-2005, 12:27 PM

Jimmie,
You are a godsend. Thanks for the images. I will print up and have with me in my studio while I am working on her hair. I also think the ear should show, but I will try to play it down a bit. For some reason I cannot pull out the graphite with the same success as I see you do on your drawings and I know I am using the same paper as you use. Is there a particular brand you use?

Thanks.
Pat

Jean Kelly · 04-12-2005, 01:17 PM

This is lovely, Pat. I can't wait to see it done. What a beautiful woman!

Jean

Chris Saper · 04-12-2005, 07:35 PM

Pat,

This is really beautiful!

Personally I'd lose the ear, since you as the artist need to attend to the design elements, and the ear is a little disconnected island of white, and will draw from your focal point.

But if in doubt, follow Jimmie's advice.