Solitude with Reference

Today I am posting my reference photo along with my drawing to show how I'm using it to create the portrait. The photo is just printed on a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 white paper, and you can see how I've folded it to bring certain portions of the photo close to the drawing as I work.

I noticed that the photo was washed out (I'm pale, but not that pale!), so I used a mirror in addition to the photo to get the skin tones right, keeping in mind that light filtered through a window is slightly different from being outside in the shade. I also decided to add some much-needed lipstick and blush, and to have the eyes looking slightly less to the side. I haven't done too much more on this today, and I'm not sure how much more I will get done with Thanksgiving fast approaching. I'll try to post a progress photo again this week, but at the latest will have a new post next Monday.

Solitude Update

I've done a little more work on the face, but here's where I slow down considerably. Drawing the trees was so much fun, but now I get to work on a face, which is my favorite, and I don't mind taking my time. Here you can see the scale, as I've placed my hand directly onto the paper.

I'm working from a very washed out photograph, and I need to add a lot of color and shadowing to make it look more real. Next week I'll post the reference along with the drawing in progress, so you can see the changes that I've made.

Solitude Progress

I've started working on the face, shown above. As I mentioned in my last post, I'm working from a reference photograph for this, but I will make adjustments to account for skin tones and other details that the camera did not capture. So far this piece has a very cold feel to it, and I'm trying to keep it from looking too dismal. The piece will be titled "Solitude", and I want it to be a little stark while somewhat peaceful at the same time. By the way, I'm using UART 800 grit, and the face is about the size of my palm (I'll try to post a photo showing the relative size later).

Trees, trees, trees...

I've been drawing a lot of them lately! I mentioned in my last post that I was drawing from memory rather than a reference, and posted above are a couple of sneak peeks. Nothing too exciting yet! I do have reference photos that I'm using for the subject (me), but I'm disregarding the small partially green shrubs, vines, and trees in the background because I want a more stark feel. I have been paying close attention to the trees while on my morning run for added inspiration. Working without a reference right in front of you is SO liberating! I will work from a photo reference when drawing myself, but the great thing is that I can also look in the mirror to for additional detail and more accurate skin tones.

A Little Creativity...

I don't have a new image to post today, but I did start working on something where much of the piece is out of my imagination! I always deviate from photo references in some way, even for portrait commissions where I like to use my memory of meeting with the subject(s) to incorporate unique facial expressions that define their character. For my figurative works, I often deviate much more from the actual references, something that I find not only enjoyable but also fundamental to my role as an artist.

So for my latest piece I decided to really exercise my creativity and place myself in a background almost completely out of my imagination, while aiming to mainting a somewhat realistic feel. I will post photos next week (I might even post some of my references), so stay tuned!

Autumn Lace II

Autumn Lace II

Recently I completed a second installment of Autumn Lace, shown above. I decided to revisit the piece in part because I wanted to do a slightly more realistic background, but also because I felt that the complexion in the first piece was a little too washed out. In addition to wanting more mid-tones in the face, I decided to go with a slightly different pose. Also, I did this on Rtistx pastel panel, whereas the original was done on Pastelbord. I like this re-do better than the original, but just like last time, I have already heard from family and friends who prefer the first! Perhaps they like the more pleasant expression? Comments are welcome...

National Drawing Show Opening

The SSAC National Drawing Show Opening Reception was a huge success, with a large crowd gathering as the night went along. The first photo shows me by my piece, which was awarded one of four Awards of Merit by juror Rachel Rosenfield Lafo, Director of Curatorial Affairs of the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park in Lincoln, MA. You can read her statement and comments on the winning pieces here: http://ssac.org/wdnew/bancroft.htm

In the second photo you can see some newspaper clippings of the Globe articles that were displayed at the gallery entrance. The last photo shows the Bancroft Gallery, the main gallery in the South Shore Art Center. You can read more about this and upcoming exhibitions at the Bancroft gallery on the SSAC website.

National Drawing Show in the Globe

I just found out that I'm mentioned in the Boston Globe for the upcoming South Shore Art Center's National Drawing Show:
http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2008/11/07/its_a_draw/

South Shore National Drawing Show

Just a reminder that the opening reception for the South Shore National Drawing Show is tomorrow evening from 6-8pm, located at the South Shore Art Center at 119 Ripley Road in Cohasset, MA.

My piece A New Day is on display and received an Award of Merit. The postcard invitation above shows a sampling of the other works to be on display. I can't wait to see some of these works in person - it should be a great show!

H2O Opening Photos

I am taking a quick break from watching campaign coverage to post a couple of photos from the H2O Show Opening this past weekend at the Spring Bull Gallery in Newport, RI. The first photo shows me standing by my piece "Still Life Sabotage", and "Coming Clean" is the middle piece in the second photo. More photos of the opening can be viewed on the CPSA Chapter 112 website: http://www.cpsa112.org/pah2o.htm
The show runs until December 3rd, and more details can be found on my Events page.