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Subject: "My friend's son"

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Study and Teach Fine Art Techniques Charcoal and Pencil Drawings - Techniques by J.D. Hillberry Topic #200

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ga3

Member since Oct-16-02
49 posts, 2 feedbacks,

Dec-03-02, 08:03 PM ()

"My friend's son"

Hi this is my second attempt at portrait. My first one Anna Nicole Smith is still not complete as I got frustrated with her blonde hair and decided to move on to something different. I am still working on this one and would appreciate any comments/critique. I am hoping to give this to my friend for her birthday which is just 25 days away

Thanks for your help!
- ga3

Melissa_M

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

Dec-03-02, 09:41 PM ()

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1. "RE: My friend's son"

ga3, it looks pretty good so far. The face needs the most work, I think, though the mouth is good. This may seem like a lot of things, but precision is what makes portraits look like the person. The eyebrows are a bit too high up (towards the middle) and the eyebrow on the right extends a bit too far from the right side of the eye. The corners of the eyes are down a little more in the photo, except for the inside right of the left eye (our left). The nostrils are differently shaped, the ears are differently shaped, and the chin is differently shaped. (The right side goes down more in the photo.) The hair is not so thick in the photo. More shading and highlights would enliven the photo more, and the dark shadow on the bottom looks a little rough (and dark around the edges), so you might want to smooth it out with something like a tissue. Less of an outline around the shirt would make it look more realistic. ...Having said all that, I think you're doing good and have the basic idea! Don't want you to feel bad about all my suggestions. Just keep it up!

- Melissa (aka: Honey Bee)

Marc Forest

Member since Aug-23-02
285 posts, 14 feedbacks, 27 points

Dec-03-02, 10:05 PM ()

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2. "RE: My friend's son"

Hey ga3. Ditto everything Melissa said. Just keep building this drawing, I realize that it is a work in progress.

If I may point out a couple of things. Keep track of your light source, it's on the left side of the photo, right now the drawing is lacking shape The right or shadow side of the drawing needs to be built up with with some pencil. Build it up slowly until you like the depth, the same with under his chn and chest. Balance is key!!

Becareful of hard lines, I know the shirt is untouched, those hard edges have to be blended out to create the edge, this will give it a natural look. Lastly, the drop shadow under his arm is really harsh, I usually start my shadows half the final size and keep pulling them out with a tissue or Chamious, this will give you that nice soft vignette your looking for.

Hope this is not to much. It's a really nice shot, your friend will love the final piece.

Peace!

Marc Forest.
http://www.marcforest.com

ga3

Member since Oct-16-02
49 posts, 2 feedbacks,

Dec-04-02, 12:49 PM ()

3. "RE: My friend's son"

Thanks Melissa and Marc, I am very excited to recieve pointers from great artists like you. I really needed a different perspective as I was getting used to my drawing

and I came to the right place.

Melissa - I had started out with charcoal for the hair and the shadow below the arm. When I made a few mistakes in the hair, I was not able to erase the charcoal as it was too dark & I had to cover it up!! Thanks for pointing out some of the other mistakes, they are quite obvious and I will try to fix it.

Marc - I hear you regarding the light source, I have been having a problem with that since the beginning. I feel that if I darken the shadow area it will end up too dark, I am just not sure when to stop.

I have another question, since the shirt is very light if I blend out the border will it stand out against a white background?

Thanks for your comments, I really appreciate the help!

Marc Forest

Member since Aug-23-02
285 posts, 14 feedbacks, 27 points

Dec-04-02, 12:57 PM ()

4. "RE: My friend's son"

Hey!
Don't be afraid to add tone to your drawing, the key is to build the tone slowly. Add it lightly, it may take you 5 or 6 tries to build it but go slowly, build it to the level of darkness. It will work!!!

Shirt: Yup! as soon as you add any pencil it will stand out. again blend that in with tissue or cotton. I just posted some tips in the "Sharper image" post check out the scale maybe that will help.

You can do it!!! Have Fun!!

Marc Forest.
http://www.marcforest.com

Sonny
Member since Dec-3-02
18 posts,

Dec-04-02, 01:17 PM ()

5. "RE: My friend's son"

I'm no "expert" but when I'm doing a portrait for someone and there's a big light spot, like the white shirt I add some color(shading) to the background to bring it out. Make the outline of the shirt the same tone(color) as the background. that way there's no outline to see, it's more realistic. Also with the placement of the eyebrows for example, get a clear plastic grid (I don't know what it's called)to place over the picture and (lightly) draw a grid on your paper. It really helps with placement and proportion. I hope this helps!

www.geocities.com/sonnybergum

ga3

Member since Oct-16-02
49 posts, 2 feedbacks,

Dec-05-02, 11:55 AM ()

6. "RE: My friend's son"

Thanks again Marc! Your explanation on the sharper image post really helped!

Sonny - Thanks for your comment. After your suggestion, I tried to use the grid and figured out that my eyebrows, eyes and ears were out of position I am not sure if I will be able to fix it without damaging the paper, so am seriously considering redrawing the picture.

May be I can post a step by step this time around and get feedback on what am doing wrong

- ga3

Marc Forest

Member since Aug-23-02
285 posts, 14 feedbacks, 27 points

Dec-05-02, 12:04 PM ()

7. "RE: My friend's son"

May be I can post a step by step this time around and get feedback on what am doing wrong

- ga3

It would be my great pleasure to help if that's what you choose to do.

Marc Forest.
http://www.marcforest.com

ga3

Member since Oct-16-02
49 posts, 2 feedbacks,

Dec-05-02, 12:45 PM ()

8. "RE: My friend's son"

Quote It would be my great pleasure to help if that's what you choose to do.

Thanks Marc! I think I am gonna take you up on that offer

Marc Forest

Member since Aug-23-02
285 posts, 14 feedbacks, 27 points

Dec-05-02, 02:31 PM ()

9. "RE: My friend's son"

OK, Cool!

Start with your basic sketch, keep it real light, use an H pencil 2-H, 3H should do fine. At this point you want no hard edges in our drawing your going to blend in all of those edge tones to lifelike perfection!! You also need to sit back and visualize the end piece, what about the background? What pencils will be used where. (we can discuss this after you post the sketch.

Step one!! Sketch, Sketch, Sketch... Take your time!! No hurry!

Also, list your tools for me. blending tools, erasers etc... so I know what to recommend as you draw.

Peace!

Marc Forest.
http://www.marcforest.com

mike sibley
Member since Nov-19-02
237 posts, 6 feedbacks,

Dec-05-02, 03:16 PM ()

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10. "RE: My friend's son"

Everything that Melissa said......... plus the ears, which were the first thing I noticed - and sometimes the first thing seen grabs you because it's not quite natural.

For a second attempt I think you're doing really well. But the ears do need work. As we look at them - the left one is an incorrect shape (I think you are drawing what you think you are seeing and not what is actually there). And the right one bothers me the most. That shadow arcing round it is just not natural. Take a look at your own ears in a mirror to understand the three-dimensional internal form then I think you'll see what I mean.

Overall you've achieved a good likeness and with a bit of fine tuning where it matters I think you're friend will be delighted.

MIKE

www.SibleyFineArt.com
www.Starving-Artists.net

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