Charcoal Portrait

[Paul Foxton]

Thanks Mischa.

It's true what you say about the Bargue book. It has great coverage of the sight size technique but very little on how to apply the charcoal. Now that I'm getting onto the tonal plates I have many questions on that.

Just a thought, but since you have such excellent control over the medium, perhaps you could post something, maybe a demonstration of the techniques you use? I'm sure that I and many others here would find it instructive, if you could spare the time of course.

[Mischa Milosevic]

Paul, if you and others wish, I could take the time and walk you through the steps but you must be ready to do the work. To take photos as I work would be to complicated for me and it would take to much time, the time I just do not have at this time. A photo would not give you what one needs to understand.

So, if you really wish? This will not be easy and be ready to do what I ask.

Pick a plate from 1,5-1,10, out of the Bargue book, and set it up. I have described the set up process in a thread i think it was to Ilaria when she was headed for Italy. When you have the setup done take a photo and post it as a new thread. Anyone else wish to join please do the same. If one does not go through the procedure it will be difficult to understand, even if I explain. Even if one sees it being done, it will not be easy to understand and learn as the one doing it.

All the work on the Bargue plates is first to be done in 2B pencil. If you wish to go straight to the charcoal than I cannot help. I say this because it is difficult enough to learn the process and if you add the managing of the charcoal with it it will be to much to explain.

I hope this makes sense.

[Simon Bland]

Mischa,

It's difficult to believe that in years to come you'll look at this portrait again and say "I wish I had done better".

That's a drawing that you can be proud of for the rest of your life.

Simon

[Paul Foxton]

Mischa, that's very generous of you, I hadn't envisioned anything quite as involved as this, I was thinking more of some pointers on charcoal technique. But I'm game if you are. I don't want to cut into your time, but if you can do this I think it will be useful to lots of other people, not just me. Certainly I'm willing to do the work. If we start this, and at any point it becomes too time consuming for you, please feel free to call a halt. We can always pick it up later.

As it happens, I'm just about to start plate 5 having just finished plate 4. I've done all the plates in charcoal do far, you can see them here:
Bargue plates 1 - 4
That might help to give you some idea of where I'm at currently (I haven't posted the 6 small ears from plate 4 yet, they should be going up on the site tomorrow).

Whilst I'd rather continue with charcoal, I'll be happy to work in a 2B pencil if that's what you recommend. I should be picking up my full size blow up of plate 5 from the printers tomorrow, I'll start the thread once it's set up.

[Mischa Milosevic]

Simon, that is a weary nice thing to say thank you. I get quite attached to all my work and hate to part with any. Each time a commissioned peace leaves my home a part of me goes with it. I have visited your page and believe you know what I'm saying. Excellent work Simon!

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Mischa, this is beautiful and velvety, and absolutely not kitsch despite the sentimental subject. For me the latter is the most difficult accomplishment, which I think is due to the perfect handling of the charcoal.
Just great work
Ilaria

PS; Micha,despite all my good intentions I only worked on one Bargue plate this summer, and must confess I did not enjoy it at all. I think I'll pick it up again. How do you reproduce the plates ?
I had photocopies not up to standard. Also what I found long and pointless was to claculate the placement of different drawings on the same plate, for example that one of the eyes.

[Tom Edgerton]

The tonal sensitivity in this drawing is amazing.

Well done!

[Mischa Milosevic]

Ilaria, thank you for the nice compliments. I will do my best to stay humble.

In answer to your Q: It is not easy to get a good reproduction from the book. I think the best way to do a good reproduction is to go to a print shop that has a professional quality scanner. The size if the reproduction should not be to big A4 size paper is fine. The fut, that is on my web page, is only 19cm tall. So, the reproduction should be the best that you can get in order to see the tonal values, half-tons, reflected lights and details.

If you care to join Paul's thread, or start one your self, I would be happy to walk you through the process.


Tom, I appreciate you taking the time and for sharing your observations with me. A sincere Thank You.

[Marina Dieul]

Mischa,
beautiful and sensible !

[Allan Rahbek]

Originally Posted by Tom Edgerton

The tonal sensitivity in this drawing is amazing.

Well done!

Mischa,
I am in total awe when seeing those values, it has tooth as opposite to being woolly.
The situation is so typical for the age, being present and experiencing the wonders of nature. Dandelion seeds blowing in the wind.