Drawing from Life

Nathan Cremer · 03-27-2003, 11:05 AM

I received some great advice during my last post. I was given the suggestion of working from life. Since then I've drawn stricly from life. This has been a great learning experience. I've been going to a Thursday Night Sketch Group at the Cincinnati Art Club, whenever I can make it. I've also drawn some of my family members who are willing to sit still for a half hour or so. I enjoy drawing from life so much, I can't see myself drawing from photo any more. It seems rather pointless. Why copy a photo when you can be the camera.

Anyway, I want to post some of the drawings I've done. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

This first one is of my wife. It took about an hour and a half, and is done with charcoal on paper. The size is approx. 7"x8".

Nathan Cremer · 03-27-2003, 11:09 AM

This is one of the models from the sketch group. I spent about an hour and a half on this one as well. It's done with charcoal on paper and is approx. 5"x6".

Nathan Cremer · 03-27-2003, 11:11 AM

Here is another model from the sketch group. This one is graphite and charcoal on paper. I spent 2 hours, and it is approx. 7.5"x10".

Nathan Cremer · 03-27-2003, 11:15 AM

This is my Mamaw. It took me about 35 minutes to do this one. It's charcoal on paper, and is approx. 9"x10". I'm going to do a finished color piece of her, so any input regarding that would be great.

Nathan Cremer · 03-27-2003, 11:22 AM

Somebody please tell me if I'm posting too many images. I've just been anxious to share these.

This is another model from the sketch group. I spent about an hour on her face. It's charcoal on paper and is approx. 5"x5.5".

Nathan Cremer · 03-27-2003, 11:28 AM

Here is my Grandpa. I spent about a half an hour on this one and used charcoal whith a ChinaWhite pencil. I have a concern with the pencil. It seems to blend in with the charcoal instead of laying on top, making it more of a grey than white. I want to be able to improve this technique of using a white chalk with the charcoal on a grey medium. Any advice on that would be great. This drawing is approx. 8"x11".

Mari DeRuntz · 03-27-2003, 02:12 PM

Nice work, Nathan.

I love your work; and your energy-level and commitment. In the first portrait you posted, I love how you

Mari DeRuntz · 03-27-2003, 02:14 PM

Another great lighting/structure-of-the-head lesson from Sargent:

Chris Saper · 03-27-2003, 08:28 PM

Nathan,

What a pleasure to see your enthusiasm!

Regarding the problem with the whites, try this: when the dark and midvalues are established, first lift any stray charcoal with a kneaded eraser from the areas you will declare as lights, and highlights. You can use the kneaded eraser to lift out passages in the charcoal areas, too.

Next, spray the charcoal lightly with fixative, then use white Nupastel, lightly. I have found that the whites tend to disappear when you spray, so you can go through several iterations in this fashion. When the last white strokes are placed, do not do a final spray.

Michele Rushworth · 03-27-2003, 10:42 PM

Nathan, I have some suggestions as to how to best pose and light the portrait you plan to paint of your mother. The most flattering light for a woman "past a certain age" is close to frontal. That is, almost directly behind the camera or artist, if you're working from life.

I say "almost" directly behind because you want some shadows to establish the form, unlike light from a flash which is absolutely directly frontal, and would not be recommended.

Also, the larger the light source the better (a large window, for example). That will reduce the contrast ratio and be the most flattering.

A good pose for someone with a full chin is to have them leaning forward slightly with your viewpoint slightly above them.