Posting a learning experience

[Elizabeth Schott]

This is a self-portrait done with vine charcoal on 11 x 14-sketch paper. Approximate time was two hours.

At first I did the drawing not showing my glasses and the funny thing was only my oldest daughter thought it was I. She remembers me more without glasses. When I added the actual glasses to the drawing they all thought it was me.

One thing I noticed when I did the first rendering sans glasses, my eyes looked too big. This makes me wonder if when I was drawing the lenses magnified the size of my eyes. I have to wear them to draw except for when I am looking at values.

[Mari DeRuntz]

Here's where it gets really interesting; you found a model who is always available when you are, and who almost reads your mind when it comes to getting the position correct after a break. I hope to see a lot of these.

The values are still too similar on each side of the face. The best thing about Baumgaertner's lessons is that you establish three values from the very beginning, before line, before detail. Everything else is built upon this structure. This might be challenging because of your vision issues, but it might be as simple as setting up a more obvious single source of light.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Thanks Mari!

I'll be excited about my next one, and you're right the model knows exactly what I want and the price is right!

There was a little too much light in the room where I did this, I'll try and control that better for the next.