Monday, July 29, 2013

A man's profile

A study of a man's profile in charcoal. Reference: Robert Liberace's "Charles". I just need to do this for the last mile before I hit the bed.

Sunburned

Study of an old bearded man. I realized that I put too much sanguine on the face that he look like he did a lifeguard duty for a length of time. He does look like a bearded bacon!
Reference: Robert Liberace's "John".

Figure drawing in charcoal on white paper. Reference: Robert Liberace's "crouching figure".

Sunday, July 28, 2013

A study

Angelina Jolie, one of the famous faces of this century, has not eluded my interest of giving it a try to be my next subject. Why not? Charcoal on white paper.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Wolvy guy

Hugh Jackman, known as the clawed hero The Wolverine. A quick study in charcoal on white paper. I wanted an instant result so I decided to create a small portrait study like this one -a 4 inch artwork.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Tyler

Rock icon Steve Tyler of Aerosmith for one more quickie before I crash the bed. Charcoal on sketch paper.

Bell

Joshua Bell, violin virtuoso/conductor/multi-awardee, on a 8.55 minute quick sketch in charcoal.

CCR

John Fogerty, songwriter/guitarist/vocalist, of Clearwater Creedence Revival rock band. Did this quickie in 6.7 minutes in charcoal while warming up a car engine before leaving work.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Led Singer

Led Zeppelin's lead vocalist Robert Plant on a 7.4 minute quick sketch.

I just realized this post has reached its hundredth mark and it's only mid-year. This means that I am going on a good pace, considering I slowed down a bit on some months. For that I am quite confident that I could double my production by the end, and that would be more gratifying.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Led Singer

Led Zeppelin's lead vocalist Robert Plant on 7.4 minute- quick sketch in charcoal.

This post has reached its hundredth mark and it's only the mid-year. That means I'm going in a good rate, considering there are some months I slowed down one way or another. Of course, I would like to maintain quality in my work, I just have to keep up with my pace. At this point, I'm confident that I could double the number by the end of the year. That would be more gratifying to end this year.

Sting

Quick sketch in charcoal. 5.5x8.5 inches.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi, musician/songwriter/actor, quick sketch in charcoal 5.5x8.5 inches. His real name, in case you haven't heard of it, is John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Henley

Don Henley, drummer/vocalist of the band Eagles. Quick sketch in black and white charcoal. 5.5x8.5 inches.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Monday, July 8, 2013

George Lucas -final

Final stage of the portrait, 11x14 ins. on toned gray paper.  Hope you check out the preceding postings for a breakdown of the process. 

George Lucas 2

6. Continuing to the lower right image and onwards are more of defining the reflecting lights and dark areas of the face, either by using the kneaded eraser or/and the white charcoal pencil. I darkened it more with a soft charcoal pencil.
7. Since the source of light is directly above, I decided to soften the sides of the hair.  It makes sense if I softened the beard too since it is getting lesser light because of its location.

George Lucas

Work in progress in black and white charcoal.

 Materials:
a. black and white General charcoal pencils.
b. kneaded eraser
c. stumps for blending
d. soft brush
e. 11x14 inches Strathmore toned gray medium paper
f.  General  charcoal powder.
g. Sofft knife and cover (optional) for early stage of linear drawing

The process:
1. By blocking the face it helped me map out the size of the face and center it on the paper. I use as minimal lines as possible.
2. Blocking the dark and light in the simplest way at the early stage helps me define features of the face.
3. Within the dark areas I started lifting the lights tones while defining  more of the linear features like eyes, nose, and sides of the face. See upper right corner image.
4. It will help me see more of the reflected light and define them with more conviction if I darken the surroundings. See the image on the upper middle- more darker and lighter tones. I started to see the waves of the hair and its highlights.
5. The big image on the left is spent mostly figuring out different tones involved. This is where I have to make clear where my light source(s) is/are.  On this image the source is directly above the head.
...see the next posting.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Clint

Caricature in black and white charcoal, 11x14 ins.

I believe that every artist has to study the philosophy of the Art to improve their skill or level.  With practice, anyone can draw what they see, but few would notice more details.  The same applies in the discipline of Music.  Some might be able to emulate the music by listening to it repeatedly, but the learned ( in classical, for that matter) musicians hears the emotions, the phrase, the timing, the follow through of the sound at all corners of the room, and other nuances that amateurs can never discern.  Learn how light/shadows behaves in objects. Why is it better to think in shapes and not in linear. What are the principles behind values, edges, colors and its temperature? And a lot more.  Even masters never cease to learn.  Superstar athletes never stop practicing after signing a big fat contract.

I realized that I need to search and read more with depth that will help me understand more of my craft. However, I would never claim or declare that I know a lot already.  I know where I stand, and my works can only speak for its own level. And I'm only stating the fact from my own experience. Things that I learned from school are far less compare to the understanding and learning I gathered from books. 

Sources are ample enough if we really make an effort.  I go to university or public libraries.  Internet is even astronomical. Searching for a specific mentor you like that specializes certain discipline or technique also helps.  Some of them offer sessions for small classes, but their prices come a bit hefty. Youtube is a popular resource.  My point is, if you need to hone your skills you have to think harder and make a meaningful effort to make it happen.  "There is no royal road to success", as they say. It's never enough to just practice blindly and commit the same mistakes over and over, lest that you develop bad habits that prevents you from moving forward. Be wise. I hope this little idea helps.