I've drawn a portrait of my daughter each year since I started studying art. Her portrait was actually the first charcoal drawing I did back in mid-2007. I drew her again last year in graphite, and my post today shows my most recent effort in chalk and charcoal on toned paper. Since this is a blog about the art student experience, I thought it would be interesting to post all 3 drawings together, to show a typical progression of technical drawing skills. I cringe a bit when I look at those earlier efforts. However, they were the best I could do at the time, and I was proud of each one. I hope next year I cringe a little when I look at this year’s effort, too, because it will signify progress.The method for today’s drawing was described in an earlier post. I used a Conte 1710 B Pierre Noir charcoal pencil and a General white chalk pencil on dark gray Canson Mi-Teintes paper. I posed Amanda in the same chair wearing similar clothing for continuity.
Top: Amanda 2009, 10x8, charcoal and white chalk on toned paper
Middle: Amanda 2008, 10 x 10, graphite on bristol board
Bottom: Amanda 2007, 14 x 10, vine charcoal on bristol board
all three portraits are special in their own way and yes there is a change in your style. thank you for sharing this r.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. You can really see the progression from the first year. . Awesome work Candace. I will be waiting for the next post.
ReplyDeleteThese are exceptional studies-the latest portrait literally breathes.
ReplyDeleteThe highlights and the shadows are wonderful!The progress is evident in your portraits.Well done!
ReplyDeleteuh... and you had your daughter when you were 10? All kidding aside, the latest is exquisite! I especially love the way you handle the shadow around her right eye.
ReplyDeletefantastic . i loved the 2nd one .
ReplyDeleteMis felicitaciones por su trabajo, su progresion es impresionante, muy buenos los retratos, saludos
ReplyDeleteRahina, Thanks for commenting. It's been fun to see these side-by-side. I really had no idea the extent of the changes. Thought the first one was better, the mind plays tricks. Best regards.
ReplyDeleteJames, Thanks as always for the kind comments. C
ReplyDeleteDavid, A high compliment. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRamesh, Thanks for visiting and commenting. You know a thing or two about effective use of highlights and shadows. Absolutely love your street scenes. Best regards.
ReplyDeleteSheila, You are a kidder. Amanda is 16, and I was definitely on the high side of 10 when I had her. Thanks for your comment on that cast shadow. I was trying to push the focus on that eye with that hard edge and the value contrast there, along with a very loose rendering of the body. Best regards.
ReplyDeleteCaio, I appreciate your comment. I put a lot of heart and effort into it. Best.
ReplyDeleteeflores, Agradezco sus amables palabras. Espero que a la larga muestran una progresión de la pintura. Gracias por su visita.
ReplyDeleteVery wonderfully rendered, Candace. You have really captured a personality on all these.
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration for progress. That is a beautiful portrait. Love the softness. It really glows.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Candace. I am glad you like this work. Was very difficult to make a children´s book between those dark illustrations. But, I didn´t want to loose the drama, and I thought I could use the scratching in the first half of the story to have more tragic images.
ReplyDeleteI think there in Watts Atelier of the Arts, they know how to teach and you know how to learn. Keep on the good work!
A remarkable progression - awareness of form and light and how it bathes and defines a subject - and moving beyond likeness to identity...this is such a great blog.
ReplyDeleteI always leave refreshed.
Candace, All 3 are beautiful. You can definitely see how much you have matured as an artist. The newest one has less detail, but the detail that is there is more than enough to tell the story, and puts all the focus where you intended it to be. The contrast makes it very dramatic. Very professional, I need to take some lessons from you, I have a tendency to pay too much attention to the details, when sometimes less detail creates more drama! Very nice!!
ReplyDeleteJohn, I think once a piece of art is created, the artist is no longer part of the equation. The piece is on it’s own, so to speak, and exists for the pleasure/enrichment of the viewer. So it means a lot to me that you connected with this image in the way that you did. It served it’s very important purpose. Thanks for your thoughtful comments, John.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, Thanks for your comment. It's fun to see the drawings together. I'm hoping to have decent painting progression in the not-to-distant future. Best to you.
ReplyDeleteGary, Thanks for the kind words. I'm sensing you are getting back in the swing. Laughed when I read your comment about the grizzly grabbing your foot. Goes with the territory, I guess.
ReplyDeleteSantiago, Beautiful job on the illustrations. I think kids love a bit of dark mystery, as long as it comes with a happy ending. Thanks for your visit and comment.
ReplyDeleteMuy buenos retratros
ReplyDeleteMariano, Gracias por su visita y sus amables palabras. Saludos cordiales.
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed by your work! I wish I had it in me to work figuratively and you definitely have that skill. I will be back again to see what is going on!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBen Bauer
Love the way we can click on a larger image of the work to see the details clearer. Love the way you handle the chalk..It's a medium I have not had a whole lot of success with.
ReplyDeleteAll three images are beautifully done and have a lot of soul to them.
These are all marvelous. It's interesting how similar the poses are, I like that. One of the best things about being an artist is being able to look back and see how far we've come.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful. And wonderful of you to allow us to see your progress.
ReplyDeleteAll 3 of these are just great. That side glance can be difficult to pull off but you did it so masterfully. Your shadows and values have are great and I do see improvement. Isn't it rewarding to see growth? That's always such a wonderful confidence boost.
ReplyDeleteWow Candace. All three of these are beautiful, but the last one takes my breath away.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, love the side profile! she's a beautiful girl and you presented it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to visiting your blog and like your drawings. Keep up the good work
Simply amazing, thank you for showing us your progress. It is very inspiring to see how good a person can become with a lot of practice :).
ReplyDelete