Simple Charcoal

[Christy Talbott]

Hi Marina,

Your work is such an inspiration to me! I actually love the girl's haircut and the way you've drawn it! i love her eyes and the calm expression in them as well.

It seems as though her nose may be jutting a bit too far forward... usually the crease where the nose meets the cheek is more in line with the inside corner of the eye. However her face may be just like that. Another thought I have is that I might like to see that far edge on the bottom of her nose receding a bit more into the shadows, essentially just softening the detail in that area. That might help to bring the focus more on those mysterious eyes!

Christy

[Marina Dieul]

Thanks Christy,
I also liked very much those eyes.
One of the problems I had, is my reference was on a black background, and the hair were integating the background, making difficult to see where the head stops at some places.
I decided to put her on a white background because I wanted things to be very simple, but I decided to change that to integrate more the figure. (maybe I will finish with a black background as often...)
I reworked lots of details you pointed all, and many others too

So today it looks like this, and I don't know yet what to think about it, I just need to stop watching it.

[Christy Talbott]

Taking a step back and looking at it with fresh eyes a day or two later is always helpful.

Anyway, I think in adding this darker background you've made a vast improvement on it. To my eyes it's lovely!

[Mischa Milosevic]

Marina, I like the change with the background. Would you consider gradually lightening the shadow side, darkest being on the light side above the head? I like the way you have adjusted the bangs. I do find the straight white line above the bangs unnatural. The eyes look lovely and moody. Maybe a hint of light on the light side, just a thought.

You have shaped the hair, the eyes, the nose the mouth beautifully but the planes of the face do not seem to be there. The shadows on the shadow side are there but the reflected light the Rembrandt light for some reason do not seem to work. Sure it looks nice, cute, well done but I think you could do more to make her look real.

On the neck, should there be some reflected light on the far shadow side? Should there be some light trickling down her shoulder and to the front?
I know, I know, I'm pushy.

I wish you nothing less but the best.

[Chris Saper]

Dear Marina,

Stop, it is fini. Lovely piece. (And there is nothing simple about charcoal.)

[Patricia Joyce]

Marina,
What a difference the background made and the few minor adjustments you did to the hair/skull. It's done. Don't touch it!!!
It's a lovely piece for you to show potential clients.

Patty

[Dan Landrie]

I can see a few small changes that I would make but I won't mention what they are because I also think you should stop here, I can only say that I,ve had so many drawings end up in the trash because I've over worked them.
This is a stunning drawing your edges are amazing and the toned background and adjustments to the top of the head I think have brought it to completion.

[Lon Haverly]

What is there to critique about this? It is lovely.

[Marina Dieul]

Thank you all!
I adjusted again few things like toning down high lights in the hair ( it's always a temptation to make them lighter than they should be)

But this time, I consider it's finished !

[Alexandra Tyng]

Marina,

Sorry I didn't see this lovely drawing! Simplicity is refreshing for an artist. Her face and hair are so sensitively drawn. Something i've alway liked and admired about your work, aside from your approach to allegory and meaning, is the way you balance the impression of meticulous attention to detail with a very visible mark, or stroke, that reveals the way your painting or drawing was made. In other words, it feels finished without being too polished.

I like the changes and the darker background which gives the drawing depth and atmosphere.