Kristopher, Christine's Other Half

Patricia Joyce · 08-23-2004, 03:49 PM

Unfortunately my camera is down so I scanned this drawing and it is looking much lighter than it is. I have not taken the darks to their darkest yet. What I am working on now is how to finish his clothing. I will attach the portrait of Christine which is the other half of this pair. While they look different sizes here they are on the same color tinted paper and are comparable sizes. I am wondering if I should make his sweater dark to balance the composition with Christine??

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Patricia Joyce · 08-23-2004, 03:54 PM

This really looks so much lighter than the true drawing. I apologize for the poor quality imaging. I will have to get my camera back and post another image. Still, any composition suggestions would be appreciated, Below is the image of Christine. They are on the same paper and are the same size. I was careful to use identical scale.

Thanks,
Pat

Julie Deane · 08-23-2004, 08:05 PM

Hi Patricia -

I'm no expert, but I personally would choose to keep the same look to them, so I would not have a dark shirt.

Josef Sy · 08-24-2004, 08:29 AM

Hi Pat, great start. I agree with Julie on the shirt. I dont know if it is me but I feel the right eye has a bit of an angle than on the photo. (that will be the subject's right eye)

Kimberly Dow · 08-26-2004, 02:26 AM

Patricia,

They will treasure these and soon you'll have a grandchild to draw - congrats!

I think you might want to look at his jawline - his face looks a bit thin to me compared to the photo.

Patricia Joyce · 08-26-2004, 09:19 AM

Julie, Josef and Kim,
Thanks for your input and I have taken them all gratefully. I see that the left (our) eye is slighly off and his jawline is not wide enough. I chuckle at both of these observations. Kris has my eyes, which do angle quite a bit, but his not as much as mine. When I showed the progress to Jack I said how much I enjoyed doing this portrait and how much I love my son's face. His reply? "Of course you do, he looks just like his mother!!!" I guess when we come across our own features in our children we find it very pleasing!!

Kristopher has been tall and thin his whole life up until he married Chris a year a go. Since the wedding he has gained about 20lbs!! So his face is much fuller than it ever has been. Another case of my drawing what I "know" instead of what I observe. Fundamental error in drawing 101!!

I have not been able to work on the drawing all week because I started school and interviewed with a local portrait artist to possibly study with him. So I have had it here in my office to study all week, and it is a big help. I have several ideas about what I need to do, adjustments I need to make. I used to draw a portrait in one or two sittings and call it done. Having it before me for days to observe I think will bring it to a better conclusion.

Will post when finished. Thanks for the compliment Kim! They are, both very happy with their portraits so far. And Chris' mother loves her portrait so I am going to search for a way to make a print of it, something I need to learn eventually!!