The Mysterious Alice

[Isabel Chiang]

Hello everyone, here's a portrait I just completed.

The dimension is 14"x 21" approx. life size.

Graphite on Arches Hotpress watercolour paper


For a larger image, please go to: http://www.isabelchiang.com/wst_page...pg&&ID2=QEePNx

[Jimmie Arroyo]

Another impressive piece. Went immediately to your website for the larger version. Your patience and determination shows well.

[Patricia Joyce]

Isabel,
This blows me away! I don't know how you do it, this must have taken hours and hours??? Congratulations on another amazing portrait drawing.
Pat

[Lisa Ober]

I too went immediately to your site. Better hurry and reply so I can go look around more.

Do you know what struck me about this (aside from the incredible painstaking detail)? I felt like I was looking at a color piece! Is it only me? It really gave me the feeling of color-unlike any other graphite work I have seen.

Excellent work, Isabel. You must be a very patient person on top of your great skill.

[Chris Saper]

Wow.

Isabel, I love this piece. You have such a sophitication in your vision, as well as execution. Would you think about a step-by-step mini demo of your process?

[Michele Rushworth]

Wow -- such living texture, especially in the hair and sweater. I also like the mystery of the model's expression.

[John Reidy]

Hello Isabel,

I love this piece. What a display of your craftsmanship and talent, capturing the spirit and physical domain.

Beautiful.

[Carolyn Bannister]

My ultimate goal is to combine my techniques with my emotions and concepts to communicate with the viewers.

I took the quote above from Isabels website,

Isabel,

I think you have achieved your goal, soemtimes photo-realism can look very plastic, but not in your hands.

This definitely communicates with me

Carolyn

[Terri Ficenec]

Beautifully done! The expression, the hair, the detail on the sweater and the hand by her face. . . Lovely!

[Isabel Chiang]

Thank you so much Terri, Carolyn, John, Michele, Patricia, Lisa, Chris and Jimmie!!!!!

I've been a big fan of all of you! It's such an honor to receive your comments! I've learned a lot reading all the threads here. Sorry I didn't have the chance to comment much earlier . Currently, I'm a 3rd year university student, major in accounting and marketing. The workload is getting heavier now, I rarely have time to surf the internet.

Drawing is the only way to get away from the books. (God, I hate those textbooks!) I'm torn between studying and drawing. (I often can't concentrate on studying because I always think about art, but when I'm drawing, I can't help feeling guilty about not studying. After all, my parents have paid a lot of money for my education). It's very difficult to find a balance sometimes.One thing I'm certain is that I do want to become a full time professional artist someday. I know it's not easy but I'll strive for it!

Jimmie, thank you ! You're one of my favourite graphite artists!

Patricia, yes, it took me a long time. A real test for patience I must say. I almost regret drawing it as soon as I started the "knitting" part. It was quite a challenge, very intimidating at first because knitting (for real) wasn't exactly my favourite activity. Actually I think it's the most boring thing in the world. Whenever I had to knit in high school sewing class, I always made my Mum to do it I'm glad that "knitting" on paper turned out to be kinda rewarding. I almost feel proud of myself in the end


Lisa, thank you! To me, the purpose of a graphite drawing is not to eliminate colour but to Interpret colour and texture in Black and White form. Well, at least it's one of my goals.I'm glad it made you feel that.


Chris, thank you as well! In fact, I'd taken quite a lot of progress shots.I'll post them after this.

Thank you Michele, John, Carolyn and Terri!! I really appreciate your words!