A Sprite Irish Lad!

Patricia Joyce · 03-17-2004, 10:23 AM

This lad is my nephew Brian Patton. If ever there was an Irish puss!! He is eight years old but holds that "know all" look from living with six older sisters and brothers!

I will post the ref pic also.

Thank you and Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Patricia Joyce · 03-17-2004, 10:27 AM

Geesh! As soon as it's posted things jump out at me, that I did not see "live". I need to work on the neck, it is not "believable", both in shadow and the back line on our right. Perhaps the shadow on the forehead is not deep enough as it moves into the lighter side?

Michele Rushworth · 03-17-2004, 11:13 AM

Nice drawing, but it seems to have the same difficulties as your last one, before the changes you made.

The shadows are not nearly dark enough to give a sense that the form is turning. In the drawing you have the halftones on the near side of the face at almost the same value as the very strong shadows on the far side of the face and in the reference they are not close in value at all. The shadows on the left should be several steps down the value scale.

Patricia Joyce · 03-17-2004, 11:25 AM

Thanks, Michele,
I'll take it further tonight. I still don't trust my instincts so I hesitated to go darker, but I see that you are right. I'm not crazy about the extreme lighting on the photo but I do believe you are right that the shadow side should be darker.

Michele Rushworth · 03-17-2004, 01:06 PM

Except for the blown out (too white) highlights on his cheek and nose, I like the lighting in the photo ref, actually. Very strong.

Jimmie Arroyo · 03-17-2004, 01:46 PM

Patricia,
Great to see you working so much. There are several things that can be done to improve on this. Some of my points might have been addressed as you went on, so feel free to disregard some of them.

Immediately, the jaw line on his left looks off, which makes the right side of his face dip. The shape of his ear is also a bit off, there should be more lobe. Double check the way his nostrils line up. The forehead may also be too big. What I just wrote may also be attributed to the angle the picture was taken, so what may seem off, may be just fine.

If you have a problem going darker, you should start with a value sketch on cheap paper. This is a great ref pic for that type of excercise. Once you break down the drawing to simpler values, it's easier to determine when you have to go dark.

I'm sorry to be nit-picking, but the double shirt line does not have the same flow as the rest of the picture and is distracting. Lightening them would help, or going darker first on the face may make them not as noticeable.

Please post an update if you decide to take this further.

Jimmie

Patricia Joyce · 03-17-2004, 02:50 PM

Thanks, Jimmie. These comments will definitely help me refine the drawing. I went home for lunch and studied it and will be anxious to return to it probably tomorrow. I have to check the forehead, the Patton kids have strong foreheads. And I had to laugh to read your critique on the ear lobe. My sisters LOVED it that I minimized his ears! It was intentional.

I could take some lessons from you on finishing a portrait as far as clothing goes. I do not know how far to take a simple t-shirt when I don't want the viewer to really notice more than the face and perhaps just the tilt of the shoulders (this pose is key to Brian's personality which is what I like about the ref pic) I am thinking about going into the shirt a bit more, and yes, the double line is horrible now that I look at it. A perfect example of what happens when I rush through in the early, early morning. I have to force myself to put the pencils down and stop fiddling when I am tired!

I will definitely post this as I progress. Can you give me any pointers for rendering the shirt? It is not attractive in the photo so I thought to just make the suggestion of a t-shirt?

Matthew Severson · 03-17-2004, 05:06 PM

Patricia,
Do you only use one pencil on this one, or do you work with several?

*I LOVE THE EYES* Personally I believe that eyes are the most important part of a portrait. They grab the viewers attention.

Did you leave out the little dimple (is that what it is?) on his chin?

Matthew

Patricia Joyce · 03-17-2004, 05:28 PM

Thank you, Matthew!
I always work to emphasize the eyes. They are, after all, windows to the soul. And I just love to draw them!! Brian's chin is dimpled(?) I think from his expression. He does not have a distinctive dimple, so I thought it best to keep the chin looking smooth. I was afraid if I tried to render the dimpling it might "age" him. I thought it better to leave the skin baby smooth.

I am using a range of pencils on this one. I started the drawing with 3H, very lightly so that I could erase and make adjustments when necessary. Also used the 3H to lay down the shadows. Then I worked up to H, HB, B, 4B and 6B. I also recently purchased a battery powered pencil sharpener and keep it right next to me. I sharpen up at least three pencils in each hardness. I am getting better at stopping and sharpening often, it does really affect the line quality.

I've learned here on the forum and in Anthony Ryder's workshop that the pressure of the pencil to the paper should always be light. To go darker, use a softer lead, not a heavier hand, so that you do not mar the paper's surface.

Matthew Severson · 03-17-2004, 11:10 PM

I really hate putting in my opinion -- I'm only 16 and probably offend people with in my two cents. If any of you find me annoying, chew me out or something.

Anyway.

I'm not sure about anyone else, but the shoulder seems to create a little bit of confusion. At first I thought he had a violin under his chin.

That would make an adorable drawing by the way -- me and my vivid imagination -

Matthew