- Portrait of Marta (done)

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ALEXEI ANTONOV PAINTINGS

Subject: "Portrait of Marta (done)"

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Study and Teach Fine Art Techniques Charcoal and Pencil Drawings - Techniques by J.D. Hillberry Topic #124

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Studio224

Member since Aug-23-02
61 posts, 2 feedbacks,

Oct-28-02, 04:18 PM ()

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"Portrait of Marta (done)"

I finally managed to finish and

scan the portrait of Marta for which I asked for help here (http://www.artpapa.com/cgi-bin/forum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=117&forum=DCForumID5).

It's done, I am going to show it tomorrow to the grand-mother (that asked me if I could draw a portrait of her grand-daughter). The dress and the arms are less paler in the drawing (the scanner "ate" my soft greys...)

Anne-Claire Tavares
http://www.studio224.com/

Melissa_M

Member since Aug-23-02
326 posts, 6 feedbacks,

Oct-28-02, 06:16 PM ()

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1. "RE: Portrait of Marta (done)"

You did a good job. The hand/arm looks good. Her hair is a bit different and has thicker curls and longer little "bangs" than in the real photo. Also the white lines in her hair should fade out/darken towards the top/back. Her nose is a bit too round, and her eyes and eyebrows aren't quite the right shape. Don't be afraid to punch up the darks in her hair and eyes (and wherever needed). I know you said it came out lighter, though.
I think you're improving, so keep up the good work!

- Melissa (aka: Honey Bee)

absolute

Member since Aug-24-02
895 posts, 12 feedbacks,

Nov-01-02, 00:18 AM ()

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2. "RE: Portrait of Marta (done)"

Hello Annie..i agree you did do a good job on this drawing.and
.........i know EXACTLY what you mean about the scanner changing drawings into what ever it wants too...i still cant figure out how to make a decent scan that im happy with......one thing that might be causing it is blending with scrap paper ,...using the graphite like paint....cause when i tried doing that ..i lost all the contrast that made up the face i was working on...i was wondering if you are using bristol smooth or vellum?.....i cant seem to make either kind work for me very good....unless im using only pencil point ...with no blending i only use bristol boards to sharpen my pencils on now days

..it is nice heavy paper,..and it works great for a lot of people
but im just use to paper that has a tight grain ..but not too smooth...
the only paper i like now days is strathmore 400.(drawing)the backside of it .or just plain typing paper......that way i can just shade with pencil point ...barely touching the paper...and i start making washes.....or really tight patterns...its kind of a pain in the butt cause it takes so long to do.....but i seem to have a little better control over the graphite when i shade like that...
.most of the shading i do inside of a face is with a really sharp mechanical drawing pencil.and i hold it with only 2 fingers...that way..its as light as a feather when it touches the paper.
....but everyone seems to like to do things different,,..ive noticed that some people shade with just a brush and charcoal dust....some use scrap paper....etc etc...they all seem to work great,..but ive experimented with some that doidnt work for me at all.
sometimes i just sit for about an hour or so and practice shading...to see what i like best and what looks the smoothest.
,,,,,,,,
well anyhow before i end up writing yet another book...just wanted to say keep up the great work.....if i gain any ground on how to make better scans ..ill let ya know...ive been experimenting with my scanner a lot.....i even put tracing paper under one drawing before i scanned one...it seemed to tame it down a little ....and did seem smoother....but not a much.the scanner will scan right through tracing paper with no problem..and believe it or not..its still clear as a bell.....

www.geocities.com/woodart211

Shelby Brannin
Member since Sep-20-02
60 posts, 5 feedbacks,

Nov-01-02, 01:05 AM ()

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3. "RE: Portrait of Marta (done)"

Nice job Anne. I'm sure her grandma will be very happy with it.

I like to shade pretty much the same way that you do absolute, on pencil point plus the aswsome magical kneaded eraser when necessary. Life as a pencil artist has become way easier since I discovered that eraser a couple drawings ago

Shelby

absolute

Member since Aug-24-02
895 posts, 12 feedbacks,

Nov-01-02, 01:22 AM ()

4. "RE: Portrait of Marta (done)"

annie...i found the post where i shaded using just blending....its ABSOLUTES NEW STUFF"...i couldnt control the graphite at all shading that way...but some people can...so i gave up on that technique.....

www.geocities.com/woodart211

Studio224

Member since Aug-23-02
61 posts, 2 feedbacks,

Nov-01-02, 03:59 PM ()

5. "RE: Portrait of Marta (done)"

"i was wondering if you are using bristol smooth or vellum?....."

>>Well Absolute... neither!! I tried Bristol for this portrait... and threw it to the bin... I can't make head or tail of Bristol (it was the smooth one). The little I drew on that paper was awful, yak!

I drew Marta on Canson drawing paper, it has just enough tooth for me, and I blended using either a tortillon, either a soft piece of fabric. I haven't got around to blending with pencil point...

What I want to do is draw without blending and one day be less "photorealist" and more artistic... But that's difficult!!!! I have enrolled in a drawing class, starting next week for one year, I hope that's going to make my work improve! LOL!

"the only paper i like now days is strathmore 400.(drawing)the backside of it .or just plain typing paper......"

>>Yes I have tried also plain typing paper, and I like it also but... it's not acid free so in time it will get yellow... and that bothers me!And Strathmore paper,... welll it's impossible to find in Portugal, so...

"....but everyone seems to like to do things different,,..ive noticed that some people shade with just a brush and charcoal dust....some use scrap paper....etc etc...they all seem to work great,..but ive experimented with some that doidnt work for me at all."

>>I think I will try to draw my next portrait with charcoal (on the same Canson paper). I have been postponing this experiment because charcoal scares me a lot but I have to try it!

"well anyhow before i end up writing yet another book...just wanted to say keep up the great work"

>>Absolute, thanks for the compliment and your writing is always interesting!

Anne-Claire Tavares
http://www.studio224.com/

Studio224

Member since Aug-23-02
61 posts, 2 feedbacks,

Nov-01-02, 04:05 PM ()

6. "RE: Portrait of Marta (done)"

Quote You did a good job. The hand/arm looks good. Her hair is a bit different and has thicker curls and longer little "bangs" than in the real photo. Also the white lines in her hair should fade out/darken towards the top/back. Her nose is a bit too round, and her eyes and eyebrows aren't quite the right shape. Don't be afraid to punch up the darks in her hair and eyes (and wherever needed). I know you said it came out lighter, though.
I think you're improving, so keep up the good work!
- Melissa (aka: Honey Bee)

Thanks Melissa... you are right... I don't like the hair much... It looks too glued to her head... But her Grand ma loved it so.. at least I captured something of the little girl.

Anne-Claire Tavares
http://www.studio224.com/

absolute

Member since Aug-24-02
895 posts, 12 feedbacks,

Nov-01-02, 08:17 PM ()

7. "RE: Portrait of Marta (done)"

annie..if you like drawing on typing paper as much as i do...i found one kind that is acid free...its almost twice
as thick ...but its really fine.and its as tough as leather..its more of an all purpose paper.....i think i found it at office max..i think .but im not sure?

www.geocities.com/woodart211