Waiting in the Little Black Dress

[Mischa Milosevic]

Jean, the point is not to start over rather to work with what you have. Please do not be discouraged for you have a excellent drawing to work on. Sure this is paper and working with charcoal rather than oily charcoal pencils is a good thing.

It is not simple to give a detailed critique from a distance. So, we do the best we can always keeping in mind that the artist must learn to see. Think of it this way. when a critique is available it is the duty of the artist to see other areas where the same instruction can be applied. This helps to develop ones powers of observation.

Many artists think that by throwing paint around or charcoal around a master peace will evolve somehow. Trashcans are full of such ideas. On the other hand if one wishes success, with a drawing or painting, planing and patience must be exercised.

When working with charcoal one must be patient and pick out the dots that do not fit or add dots that need to be there. Don't rush it and you will reach your goal.

All the best to you.

[Jean Kelly]

Oh Mischa, the drawing is not in the trashcan yet. I was planning on starting over, but maybe I will continue with this one after reading your comments.

If I had done this from life, I would have seen that those highlights were much softer. This has always been my weak point, working only from photos (unless I'm outside working on a landscape). I do have a new lead on a model though, and am looking forward to working with her. In the meantime I may try drawing my feet , I can easily see them and they are always with me. Good practice in foreshortening also!

My goal is not to make a masterpiece each time I do something, but to learn and develop new skills within my limitations. I see no reason that I can't accomplish this, and find satisfaction and peace along the way. Impatience is a problem though. I do want (deep down inside), to create beauty, I want to have my work stop the viewer and take their breath away. I want, I want, I want--------------oops, time to take a deep breath and put my priorities back into place.

Thank you for your insightful comments!

Jean

[Jean Kelly]

I've knocked the light areas way back, and made her dress more "black". Actually I've done much more that that. I believe that the biggest problem here is my choice of medium. Mischa, you mentioned something about "oily charcoal pencils", and I think this as caused some of my problems in lifting off the charcoal. I used a mix of vine charcoal, General charcoal pencils, and black conte. Some areas simply refused to "lift" and may be due to the oil you speak of. I also use my fingers extensively, and I would imagine that any oil would also be deposited on the drawing. There are dark round spots that refuse to be erased! Next time I will limit my choices to vine charcoal only, and blend with the appropriate tools. I am also going to choose a simpler subject to start with and learn the medium before I tackle a complex subject like this. When I mix my types of charcoal, I will do it with knowledge, not just because it is there.

Thank you, this has been a tremendous learning experience!

Jean

Also, I stopped at her hands-----just didn't want to work on this any more. My photography skills are less than to be desired. Somehow the light areas are too light, her dress is actually quite black, and softened much more than the photo shows.

[Mischa Milosevic]

I find that the pink pearl pencil eraser 400-A series work the best on those difficult to erase jobs.

I mentioned the difficulty in distance critique so in order to give you an idea what you can do I have made some tonal adjustments. Again when erasing one must have patience. There are times when in the paper I get a dark, black dot, and it is right in the lights of the face. I have used a sharp object to slowly pick out just that dark spot and have not damaged the paper.

So, please have a look here and see what you can do. You should not stop yet.

[Mischa Milosevic]

Please notice that I have just made some not so perfect adjustments. This is just to give you an idea that you still have options to work with.

All the best to you

[Jean Kelly]

I guess if I was actually in an atelier, I would have my hands swatted with a mahl stick.

I had already started adding color when you replied, Mischa. I thought it might be interesting to add conte, like the old colorists of the 50's and 60's photography world. I have an old senior high school photo with the most outrageous color of pink on my lips using this technique. This drawing was a perfect candidate.

I did incorporate some of the suggestions in your image, Mischa. Her arms are much lighter and her face will be lighter also. I haven't finished yet........ and have not given up on charcoal. I'll get the eraser and at this point need all new kneaded erasers and more vine charcoal. I also would never have thought of scraping as a method to remove those dark spots.

All the best to you too! You are a great long distance teacher.

Jean

[Patricia Joyce]

Hi Jean,
I love that you have introduced color. And just enough. I really like the look. I also wanted to add that I so admire your working as consistently and as hard as you do considering your health issues. You are my hero, I so admire your tenacity. and all your work is amazing.
Keep it up, but call this one done (my humble opinion)