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This is the finished portrait of Liam.  I'm certain I will do a few more tweaks...as all we artist do.  I will keep it sitting around for a few days just critiquing it as I walk by.  I still need to make arrangements to have it high resolution scanned so I can make a print for Grandma and Grandpa.  The original drawing is a gift for their son and daughter-in-law for Christmas. 

 

The main reference photo has a lot of light coming in on the left so his hair is reflecting quite a bit on that side...showing much lighter.  I'm not certain..but may add a few more mid tones in that area.  Liam was wearing a gray sweat shirt in the main reference photo and I could see in the drawing that the value of the shirt were so close to his face that it wasn't going to work.  I took my 'liberties' as an artist and made the shirt dark.  The change really brought attention to his 'dancing' eyes.

 

Grandma and Grandpa said Liam was active and a real clown...I wanted to capture this feeling in the drawing.  I've always felt that the 'personality' of a person is in their eyes.  If you can capture that feeling, you've done your job.  The outgoing personality I saw in the photo references coupled with that award winning smile and those eyelashes...this young man is going to be a real lady killer.  I imagine Liam already has Grandma in his pocket:)

 

Enjoy...I'm anxious for your comments.

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Psalm 34:11
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psalm 34:10-12 (in Context)

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This portrait commission is especially fun to do.  Grandma and Grandpa commissioned a portrait of their first grandson, Brennan, a couple of years ago.  Liam is grandson #2...and again is a Christmas present for their Son and his wife.  I understand there is a third on the way...expected yet this year!

The first photo reference (above) is the one we decided on.  I flipped it...so the two boys would be looking at each other.  In fact, my idea is to hang the portrait of Liam to the left and a bit below Brennan. He would then appear to be looking up at his older brother.

Below are the two additional photos I'm using for reference and a couple of WIP photos.  The latter are not the best...the lighting is a bit off and I didn't spend a lot of time color correcting.  

 

	WIP Photo #1. You can see here that I started as usual on the left as I am right handed.  This helps to keep my hands out of my work. I always start on the eyes first.  If I can't get the eyes all is lost.  The shadowing on Liam's face has been done with a Chamois and paint brush.   The darks on the eyes were applied directly to the paper with the pencil. (what else but Carbon Pencil!)
	WIP Photo #2 Well, things are beginning to look up..no pun intended.  The eyes are done, except for tweaking and the shadows are beginning to develop the shape of Liam's face. The open mouth was a bit of a challenge..still some work to be done here. The hair and background are next.  Liam's hair is a medium  blond or light brown.  Even though I am a hairdresser...drawing hair is always a challenge.  An then

OK...it's back to the drawing board.  Wanted to take a few min to share the progress with you and of course with Grandma and Grandpa.  I will post again as the drawing progresses. 

As usual, I'm open to your comments.

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Galatians 3:26
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,
Galatians 3:25-27 (in Context)

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IT'S DONE...well at least the major part. I will still spend some time 'tweaking' it in the next couple of weeks. I will be taking it to the framers this week so the frame and matting can be ordered. I will actually need to be done with the 'tweaking' by this weekend as I'll be having it high resolution scanned on Saturday so I can make prints available to the family if they are interested.

The shadows on both faces are much darker than what the camera picked up which is why I always use a scan for prints. Even with a good camera and lens...when there is a lot of contrast, as in this drawing, the subtleties seem to get lost, and the face photographs lighter.

The drawing of Teddy's mother is still considerably darker than Teddy...which keeps her in the background and pushes Teddy's image forward. I had thought I would make her even darker yet...but as I look at it now, I think the balance is really good. (yet I'm not sure you can tell)

*I will post the portrait again once I have the scan done and color corrected...yet even then viewing it on the computer screen is a hit or miss thing. Drawing is all about the subtle shadows...and they never seem to show well here. I always think it's such a shame.

If you read my previous posts about this portrait you will recall that Teddy's mother passed away when he was just five. My mother also passed away when I was five years old and he and I have talked about this often. I wanted this portrait to signify his mother's presence in his life even though she isn't with him anymore.

I spoke with Teddy before starting this drawing...I wanted to make sure he understood the concept I was trying to convey and that it was something he would like to have. This is the first view he will have of the drawing...I hope he approves.

Teddy's opinion will be my ultimate critique.

You can see the original layout of this drawing and my previous post with additional reference photos used at the links included here.

This was truly a drawing done from the heart. The older I get the more I realize the void in my life as a result of my mother's death at such a young age. My father remarried when I was a senior in high school...but by then I was pretty much an adult, or at least thought I was. She was a wonderful woman and the perfect influence for my two younger brothers.

I look and Teddy and my daughter...they are such a blessing. I'm so thankful to have Teddy in my life and so proud of the mother my daughter has become.

I know the photo of this drawing isn't the best...but would love to have your critique and opinion.

Sincerely,
Marsha Read More

Here is the first 'look see'. I would have liked to have started on Teddy...since he is the main subject of this drawing. But, since I'm right handed I felt I needed to start on the left to make sure I kept the rest of the drawing clean. Even though I cover the part I'm not working on with a sheet of paper, I just didn't want to take any chances here. There is no time for huge mistakes or time to start over.

I still have a lot to do on the insert of Teddy's mother but am satisfied "pretty much" with what I've accomplished. At this point, (I'm never really satisfied). The insert is approximately 4.5 x 4.5. Lots of detail in a very small area. I may make the entire image darker...I want her to be 'quietly' in the background...at least that was my original thought, but it's time to set it aside and just ponder where I'm at for a bit. I wont know what 'quiet' is until I get some work done on Teddy.

This is one of my other reference photos for Teddy's mother. I really struggled with her face. Using many reference photos...she has a strong chin and her nose is a little large yet feminine. I've tried to show this in the drawing. I intend to bring her blouse down a little more and have the dark background fade into it above Teddy's arm.

This is all carbon pencil. Much of the shadows are done by applying product with a brush from my 'carbon farm'. I also used a chamois and stump to apply color. The darkest areas are applied directly the paper with the pencil.

You can see the reference photos used in this drawing in my previous post. I will post more updates as the drawing progresses.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a point...leave a comment Read More

I'm getting a late start on this but hope to have it done the first week in December...infact it has to be done by then. I need to get it to the framers to choose a frame and then get it scanned for prints. This portrait needs to be mailed so it arrives before Christmas. NO PRESSURE HERE.

This is the reference photo of Teddy's mother. The photo above is the 'mock up' I did so my daughter could approve the layout. Teddy's mother passed away when he was five of cancer. My daughter wanted a portrait done for his Bar Mitzvah of Teddy with his mother in the background. We will be celebrating this wonderful occasion Christmas weekend.

Not being Jewish myself, I don't fully understand the ceremony...but I do know it's a very special event in Teddy's life. He was sad that his mother wasn't going to be there. My daughter told him that his mother is always with him, watching over him. When Teddy saw the mock up he was very pleased.

My goal is to make the image of his mother 'smoky' and darker yet than what you see above. Hopefully I can achieve the look and tell the story I want to tell...if not I will just blend her image into the background and the portrait will be just of Teddy.

Enough writing for now...I will be back with WIP photos later as the drawing progresses. Lots of work to do in a short period of time.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a point...leave a comment Read More

First off my camera and I are 'friends' again. If you missed my last couple of posts you need to know that it wouldn't release the memory card. Well the camera came through the 'emergency room' visit but the memory card is ka-poot!

Memory cards are not cheep but this was a smaller one and had been around a long time.

I finished the commissioned drawing of Mr. Lincoln. I will keep it sitting out to do some of the usual tweaking on ....you know the little things that only an artist would notice.

When deciding on a reference photo to use I wanted something a little different...which in itself is hard when drawing such a well know person in history. I decided on this particular photo for several reasons.

Being from the state of Illinois I wanted to use a reference photo that was indicative of the period of time when he was living in my state and practicing law.

I also wanted the drawing to emulate his stature...which was tall and lanky.

Then, and perhaps most of all, I wanted his eyes and expression to tell the story of the weight he carried as he contemplated his presidency and the hope he had for his country's future.

I used several different photos for his facial expression...and am pleased with the results. This is a younger Lincoln than we are used to seeing. The main photo reference was taken in 1860, just prior to when he was nominated for president. Lincoln would have been around 51 years old.

I'm still working on the final little tweaks...not certain but may 'ruddy' his face just a little more. In all the reference photos I looked at his hair is bushier in back at the nape, actually showing more all around the back of his ear...just undecided here.

I'm to the point that what ever I add will have to stay...there will be no turning back.

Also...just so you know...the black line across his chest is the 'leather' cord for his glasses. It was worn in all the photos taken in this photo session. I included it as I also saw it in others...although now I view the line as distracting. Yet I 'think' I made the right decision.

Anyway...here it is for your critique.

Enjoy


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques Read More

I know the last time I posted this WIP of Lincoln I said I was going to walk away from working on the face and move to his torso. As you can see, that didn't happen. I did lay it aside for a couple of days...but when I came back it was like an addiction...I had to work on the face and get it more complete before I could move on. So...here he is.

I narrowed his face on the right somewhat and was able to lift some color out of the left eye lid. I've added more wrinkles on his forehead and increased the shading on the left side of his face (even though the photo shows it washed out)...I felt the added shadows would help to 'narrow' his face...and should have been there if not for the use of harsh lighting.

I've also worked on that odd shaped mouth that is 'Lincoln'...still not quite sure here. I have really struggled here. Lincoln's mouth is such a 'signature' in all his photos...the lower lip is fuller on one side than the other...urrrgh!!

NOTE: The photo is a little on the dark side, not a lot but some. I see several things that could be improved upon. I'm anxious to here what you have to say...extra eyes are always good.

I'm looking forward to your critique again . This is the last WIP post I made and the reference photo I used...my first posting is here.

This has been a big project. I so appreciate your comments and personal emails...both the critique and the encouragement. Next time there should be some shirt and jacket to see....at least I hope.

Sincerely,
Marsha

A Quick Update: Heard from the person who commissioned this portrait and he has a newly published article from the Smithsonian Magazine that has a better more detailed photo showing the shirt and jacket. (I'm really winging it in this area.) I'm to receive the reference tomorrow, so going to lay this aside until I get it...darn, this was my last day at the drawing board this week.

Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment Read More

Lincoln is ready for 'his' first critique. This has been a challenging portrait for me, for several reasons. First, just try to find a good reference photo. I took this one at the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Ill. (I knew I had this commission and couldn't find the reference I wanted to use...almost got thrown out taking the reference photo I'm using!)

I wanted to depict him as he looked at the age he was when he was a lawyer in Illinois...prior to his beard...a younger Lincoln than we are accustomed to seeing.

Drawing someone so familiar to the world has proven to be quite a challenge. That and just the size of this portrait. I'm used to working much smaller and have had to adjust some of my techniques. Everything except the darkest areas were applied with blenders and brushes.

There is still a considerable amount of 'fine' work to be done on his face, (I need to add more lines to his forhead and 'ruddy' it up a bit), but so many of you have ask to see the progress of this piece...thought I would post this photo before I head to the drawing table today. The hard part is done.

You can see the reference photo here...and my previous WIP post here. I still have the torso (shirt and jacket) to complete...hope to make some serious headway on that today. I've worked on Lincoln's face long enough, need to step back for a bit and focus on something else...don't want to over do it. I'm at a place where (when working with carbon) any marks or shadows are permanent...don't need mistakes here.

So I ask: I know the photograph doesn't pick up some of the finer detail...but have I captured the 'presence' of this great man? Do you see the worry and determination Lincoln's face as he considered the future of this great nation? Do you feel the intensity of his gaze?

Well people, Lincoln is all yours. I'm very serious about my questions. I don't want this to be considered just another portrait of Lincoln...so many have been done. I want the viewer to see the 'person' not the drawing.

It's time for some lunch and then back to the drawing board.

Sincerely,
Marsha


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment Read More

Well, the art fair season has come to a close and if you read my last post you know it happened with a big HOORAH!!

I'm now moving on to other things. I hadn't consciously noticed my habit of "compartmentalizing" my activities until Jimmy Springett, one of my regular readers, point it out to me. I think I do this out of necessity, not necessarily to improve work flow. However this habit does keep me focused on the task at hand and increases the quality of the results for that particular activity.

When my art fair season starts there is very little time for drawing or painting. I find it difficult to create when on a constrained "time frame". My creative juices simply are not there. The time spent between art fairs is usually devoted to sending thank you notes to those who purchased at the last art fair, banking and book work, and preparing new prints and framed pieces for the next show.

I do however think about, plan, and take photos for works I want to do in the future. I may even sit in my chair at night and do some quick value sketches...testing different compositions. This way, when my art fairs are done (as they are now), I'm ready to change my focus, with new works ready for the final layout.

I'm also a marketing fanatic...constantly reading about what others are doing and figuring out ways to incorporate the best of the best into my own marketing plan...even dreaming up a few ideas on my own!

When at art fairs...I have to confess I'm checking out what the artist is offering, the price point, and how they are displaying their art as much as admiring what they do. Much can be gleaned from other business also. You don't have to look only at what other artists have done.

I find it fascinating to see what actually "moves" a person, whether it's moving them to purchase or simply getting them to sign up for my mailing list.

Sometimes I wish I could just shut my "art" mind off...focusing on and enjoying other things. It may happen for a short while, but the experience is always interrupted with "wow! that would make a great drawing" or "I bet that would be a good way to show my work".

So I ask: Do you "compartmentalize" your work flow? What methods do you use to increase your focus? Do you have trouble shutting off your "art mind"?

I'm taking today off...it's a simply beautiful fall day here, sunshiny and crisp. The park is calling me. And...yes, my "art mind", my camera, and pad with pencil are going too! After considering this, I decided they are simply apart of who I am and I'm at peace with this part of me. After all "I am an Artist".

Sincerely,
Marsha


Links:
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment Read More