- Been looking for a while, thought I'd finally post one.

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ALEXEI ANTONOV PAINTINGS

Subject: "Been looking for a while, thought I'd finally post one."

Member Portfolios Your Drawing portfolio Topic #14

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Cda1987
Member since Sep-17-02
7 posts,

Sep-27-02, 06:39 AM ()

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"Been looking for a while, thought I'd finally post one."

I've been checking this site out for a while now and have been totally blown away

by the work shown. While I don't feel on the same level with most of you I thought I'd post some of my work so I could benefit from the experience I see here. (In other words, helpful advice is encouraged)
I am a fortysomething mom who draws stictly for the pleasure of it. I don't sell my works but I have been known to give them away. Other than high school art that I had , ohhhh about a hundred years ago, I haven't had any training and have basically learned by "hit or miss"

technique. Mostly I use pencils but I have tried pastels, and charcoal,but pencils seem to work best for me.
So, here's a picture I did recently using pencils. This one was done on a beige colored matte board. Any and all helpful hints are welcome. So far I've only had my family for critics, the husband (Well hon, What do YOU think of it?

) and my teen daughters ("It's great mom, can I have a later cerfew?

)

Member since Sep-3-02
41 posts, 4 feedbacks,

Oct-01-02, 06:57 PM ()

1. "RE: Been looking for a while, thought I'd finally post one."

Let all you do be done with kindness and love

You have excellent line work, which is foundational to start any portrait with. The hair and form of the face are good. Her eyes draw the viewers attention, too. The girl and her hamster show interesting contrasting textures. (her straight, glossy hair to the hamsters short and ruffled hair).

The picture looks rather dark on my computer however. Is this a direct scan or one from a photo? It is also helpful to post reference photos to allow us to better critique your work. The reason I ask this is that I am trying to gauge the amount of contrast that your shadows have when compared to the lighter colored areas of her face. If you blend charcoal into the shadows and render the lighted portions of her face in graphite you will be amazed at the depth that this adds to your work. (This is not my idea, but a technique used by JD Hillberry). The other bit of advice I could give you is to purchase his book on Drawing Realistic Textures. You will be pleased with the results quickly, and you might find that people are willing to shell out some cash for your time and efforts.

--JT

Cda1987
Member since Sep-17-02
7 posts,

Oct-01-02, 09:14 PM ()

2. "RE: Been looking for a while, thought I'd finally post one."

Thanks JT for the advice about the charcoal. I haven't used charcoal as of yet and I've just started using graphite. As for that book you mentioned, I was looking for it at a Barnes and Noble the other night and couldn't find it there. I do intend to purchase the book though.
As for the picture, it was from a digital camera and I must admit the picture is rather dark. I was trying to take the picture using natural light instead of a flash (which tended to wash it all out) The drawing is also done on a beige matte board so there really aren't any stark whites. Normally I would post the reference photo but this was done last year and the picture was from a magazine. I no longer have the photo.
I know I need to work on making my darks darker, that seems to be my major shortcoming when drawing (although I'm sure I have many).
Thanks again for the advice, I'm so glad I found this site!
Den

Member since Sep-3-02
41 posts, 4 feedbacks,

Oct-04-02, 06:58 PM ()

3. "RE: Been looking for a while, thought I'd finally post one."

Let all you do be done with kindness and love

You're welcome. The website has recently changed to a different format. At the previous location you would have received ten times the replies by now. Many others offered great advice. Hopefully the previous members on the former site will register here so that more people will be able to post their work and reply to our posts.

The book by J.D. Hillberry can be ordered at his web site. www.jdhillberry.com Take a look. You'll be amazed.

Have a great weekend.

--JT