Posthumous Commission

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.

Chris Saper · 04-12-2005, 07:38 PM

PS You have handled that shoulder beautifully.

I don't think that the hair needs a great deal of finish, but I do think that it would benfit from some dark values, just as long as you keep the silhouette edges of the hair soft.

Renee Ruggles · 04-12-2005, 09:45 PM

This drawing is really lovely! Have you ever tried drawing on tracing paper to lay over your good drawing? This way you can try out hair finished to a different degree, lay the tracing paper trial over the drawing you don't want to ruin, and see if you want to go in that direction.

I must admit that I rarely do this, but your drawing is finished to a point that you may want to think twice about adding more.

Patricia Joyce · 04-13-2005, 10:56 AM

Thanks for the input Jean, Chris and Renee. I worked on her last night and I am almost finished. Some finishing touches on the hair and then it's done. I realized yesterday the upon looking at the photo with a magnifier, I do believe she is wearing a wig!! That, or this woman had a real HEAD of BLACK shiny hair! I will post the finished drawing tomorrow. I came up with a idea that I think enhances the drawing, as far as matting.

Renee, when I read your suggestion this morning to use tracing paper I laughed. I couldn't decide where to put my signature when I finished last night so I wrote it on tracing paper and moved it all around the portrait!!! Next time I will do this with a more important element, LIKE the HAIR

As always, appreciate the comments and support!!

Patricia Joyce · 04-15-2005, 09:50 AM

I still have tomorrow morning if this needs "tweaked" in any way. The cropping you see looks crooked, but it is generally how I think I want to matt it. I think showing the shape of the back of her hair makes it look VERY dated. I would rather the portrait look more timeless. The way this is reading on my monitor I think there is glare on her hair just to the (our) right of her ear. That section is actually very dark. But you know how graphite gets a bit shiny when darkly applied. is there a fixative that can take care of that???

If anything jumps out at you, feel free offer your opinions or suggestions. I am still open to making this better.

Thank you for your support and additional critical eye!!

Jimmie Arroyo · 04-15-2005, 10:44 AM

Fantastic Pat. And this is the little girl having issues with her drawing just couple of years back. I'm so proud of all the progress you've made.

The ear looks great, you've forced the highlights in the hair (make sure they're not too light) and downplayed the ear, so it's not just sticking out. Just check the balance, it's hard to read from the monitor.

You never mentioned size or paper, if you can please share. Once again,

Patricia Joyce · 04-15-2005, 11:16 AM

Thanks, Jimmie! I am grinning from ear to ear like a proud student!! I do think I need to go in and work on the hair some more. Especially the highlighted section on the back portion on our right and the very top of her head. And perhaps darken the highlights just a bit. It needs to be more polished which I can do with "H" and "HB".

This is on Canson Mi-Tientes about 10 x 14. The head is under life size about 3/4. It does read better in person and I think it is my lack of photo skills UGH. Another thing I have to really work on - taking GOOD reference shots! Although I did use a tripod, I still can't get a real clear pic???

Chris Saper · 04-15-2005, 12:37 PM

Pat,

You have really done a top-rate job here!

But you can't crop over your signature! Eveything you place on the surface becomes a compositional element, including the signature. Can you remove it, and resign it over on the empty space on the lower left?

I think it's a good idea to wait until after matting/ framing to place your signature

Allan Rahbek · 05-04-2005, 02:05 PM

I also missed this, sorry.

Very fine drawing, especially the features of the head, that are more painted than drawn. You should work on the hair in the same manner.

I also like the pose and the way that you drew the neck, collar and shoulder................ elegant.!!!

Allan

Patricia Joyce · 05-04-2005, 02:52 PM

Thank you Allan!
I can't take credit for the pose, however, I did feel I had to minimize the clothing as it is a very dated photo from the seventies. I had a problem with the hair, as I always do. but each time it gets a little easier! When I draw in graphite I imagine that it would be easier with a brush. But when I paint I get so confused still with color. . . In time it will come together, no doubt!!! I am always conflicted with the time I have in my studio, "should I paint or draw" Seems right now my inclination is to keep drawing as I have so much more to learn.