Self-portrait with objects

Philippe De Smedt · 12-28-2002, 05:35 PM

This is a small sketch of myself with caran d'ache colorpencils. When I take care of my children I try to sketch whatever is in front of me. So you see, I sketch different things around me just to keep working. Practice is necessary for me.

Sharon Knettell · 12-31-2002, 09:19 AM

Philippe, you are quite a skillfull draughtsman. Your line work is energetic and varied. There are two areas that I would like to comment on.

A: The eye to the left, though expressive is too bold. The other eye needs to be stronger or the nearer eye needs to be softer. There should be a balance between the two.

B: The still life. I don't know if this is finished, but the yellow object is very distracting. After the eye, that is the first thing I noticed. These two equally strong elements war with each other, pulling the composition apart.The still life and figure need to be better integrated . One thing I like to do is to make a coherent shape of the complete still life. In other words the still life should be one shape and all of the elements darker than the figure. That would bring the focal point of the picture back to the head and make an interesting frame. The objects in the foreground should be softer than the face.

Sincerely,

Sharon Knettell · 12-31-2002, 07:48 PM

Philippe, check out Egon Schiele's drawing. Your style reminded me somewhat of his. I think he was one of the most original and gifted draughtsman of the last century. This is one site where I found some examples. http://bertc.com/subtwo/schiele14.htm

Sincerely,

Philippe De Smedt · 01-01-2003, 04:39 PM

Hi Sharon,

Thank you for taking the time to look and comment. You are absolutely right about the eye on the right, I was playing with it because the fingers are surrounding the eye cavity, but of course it is too strong.

About the composition: I said in my text, it is just playing with pencils on paper so I really don't mind about composition rules or whatever rule. I do not plan to show these sketches anywhere else but here.

Oh, and Schiele is the artist I admire the most since I was a student. Did you ever see the book "Egon Schiele, The Complete Works" edited by Thames and Hudson? There are 3275 illustrations in it and it is right here on my bookshelf.

Admin note: you can find the book here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ex...&Search=Search

Sharon Knettell · 01-03-2003, 04:13 PM

Philippe, I just checked out your site, really strong drawings.

No, I haven't seen that book. I will look it up. Thanks.

Figurative work is a hard sell here also. However, there seems to be some movement in that direction. It can be very discouraging. You either have to teach, do portraits or bag groceries to survive. It must be very difficult to do with children.

I am concentrating on my own work as much as possible and not encouraging portraits. I am doing life-size figures in pastel loosely based on dance. I have an example on my introduction. This means no new car, clothes, smaller art supply budget, limited dining out, etc. All the fun things that go with belt tightening!

Good luck with your endeavors. Read "Dharma Art", by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. This book is most definitely not for everyone! You do not have to be a Buddhist or even religious, but it has some valuable philosophical concepts on the value of aesthetics, personal point of view, etc.

Sincerely,

Lon Haverly · 01-22-2003, 04:48 AM

Philippe,

I think you are aware of the eye thing - it appears to be an intentional distortion, considering your level of skill, which is significant! I like your sketch, and the expression of your line work. You have a style that is powerful and compelling. Pencil sketching like this is rare. Keep it up.

I sketch in public. That is a great way to practice. You could do this with your skill. I could not afford to do my art if it did not pay me.

I could not be a teacher. Students might think they could draw by the end of the term!