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My grandmother had a major influence on my life...teaching me how to be a good homemaker and seamstress. When she passed, her Button Jar was one of the things I requested.

Grandmother's Button Jar spilled out many childhood memories along with the buttons. In the summer we had outdoor adventures and outdoor chores...but in the winter months grandmother's button jar always came out.  We invented a 'spinning game', seeing who could make the buttons spin the longest. We created a mini shuffleboard game.  We sorted them and pretended they were coins. I could go on and on but you get the idea.

Graphite was used on this pencil drawing around the lip of the glass jar.  The reflective qualities of graphite work well for rendering glass. The rest of the drawing, even the soft shading on the buttons was done with a carbon pencil. However, for the rough texture of the aged lid I did use a charcoal pencil.

This drawing was pure joy to create. I hope "Grandmother's Buttons" brings to mind good memories of your child hood...when times were simpler and life moved at a much slower pace for all.

Psalm 52:8
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.
Psalm 52:7-9 (in Context)
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Matthew 18:3
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:2-4 (in Context)
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This portrait of Mr. Lincoln was commissioned and donated to the Lincoln College Heritage Museum in Lincoln Illinois.

This is a younger Lincoln than we are used to seeing. The main photo reference was taken in 1860, just prior to his nomination for president.  Lincoln would have been 51 years old.

Being from Illinois I wanted the finished drawing to be indicative of the period of time when Lincoln was in the area and still practicing law. I also wanted it to emulate his stature, which we all know was tall and lanky.

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

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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

The Story Behind the Image: This is George. I met George and his owner in the park one evening. While talking with his owner I discovered that her husband had passed away the year before, and that she had acquired George from the humane society to keep her company. George is twelve and Mary his owner is eighty-nine. They were so much fun to watch and so good for each other. I'm not sure just who had the most "attitude" George or Mary. I might add that Mary still lives by herself, except for George of course...and is still driving.

This was a fun drawing to do...but being a schnauzer owner myself, I had some inside advantages when it came to capturing George's saucy personality and devilish eyes.


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


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The Story Behind the Image: It was early evening and the mist was rolling into the low places on the course. Everyone was joking and adding up their final scores. The golf bag was just sitting there in the cart. The light reflecting from the club heads and the deep shadows caused by the late day sun were what caught my eye.

I was never very good at this sport, and tonight I was just along for the ride...but for those avid rain or shine golfers, this is drawing is for you.

I used carbon pencil for this drawing...concentrating on the "mood" of the scene. The angle of the setting sun produced wonderful shadows and the fog rolling in added a certain mystery to the drawing...all this and the reflections on the club heads themselves made for what I considered a very interesting setting. I used a piece of felt to create the smoky background and chamois to render the shadows and reflections on the club heads (used some graphite here).


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

Tutorial...see the full progression of this drawing.


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The Story Behind the Image: Have you ever looked into your rose garden on a warm summer night when there is a full moon. Take a look sometime, you'll find your roses dancing in the moonlight!

I thoroughly got into this drawing. I swear I could almost feel the velvety petals in my mind as I worked. I applied carbon directly to the paper in the deep creases of the petals, using a stump to blend towards the areas touched by the moonlight. I then applied graphite with a chamois square to the brightest highlights and used a 6B carbon pencil to fill in the background.

I'm proud to share an exurb from Matthew Merrighn's essay, "The Gray Rose". I sponsor a Literary Contest each year for Young Authors at our local High School ...and Matthew's essay won third place this year. The students must select one of my drawings as their subject and Matthew chose to write about "Midnight Rose". Read all winning entries.

The Gray Rose....by Matthew Merrighn

"The gray Rose is most desired, not for it's beauty, but for it's uniqueness. The Gray Rose Will be immortalized for it's uncommon color. As time progresses, people will realize the greatness of the Gray Rose and in doing so the Gray Rose will become most desired. But only those who first recognized it's significance will have a Gray Rose of their own."
Click here to read Matthew's entire essay.


Links:
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
Portfolio of Works...learn more about "Midnight Rose"
Literary Contest...introduction to the 2008 Literary Contest
Literary Contest...2008 winning entries
"The Gray Rose"...by Matthew Merrighn


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The Story Behind the Image: I love the smell of a good cigar. The cigar and drink have been "Perfect Companions" for years. I had a special friend who enjoyed his scotch and his cigar...and to this day when ever I catch the pungent fragrance of a cigar I think of him. He would have enjoyed this drawing.

I've always enjoyed drawing glass. The secret is to NOT draw the glass and it's contents but to draw the shadow shapes seen in the glass. I generally use graphite for glass and other reflective objects because graphite itself has a reflective quality and will add this to the drawing. Even when used lightly graphite always has a shine. This is especially noticeable when placed next to carbon or charcoal. In this drawing I used graphite's qualities to my advantage...applying graphite with various blenders until the shape of the glass and the liquid began to take shape on paper. For the cigar, I used carbon pencil. I applied it directly to the paper for the darkest areas and then blended to show the grain and texture of the tobacco leaves.


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


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I really like the composition of this drawing...I used both charcoal and carbon pencil on the shoes in order to show the different tones and textures of the dark leather. The rest of the drawing is mainly carbon pencil. The socks have many, many, many, layers of carbon, blended with a chamois square and tissue.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


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The Story Behind the Image:  I did this drawing as a gift for a dear friend.  She faithfully helps me all summer long set-up and take-down for my art fairs...no small job I might add.  She is originally from England, still has her accent and is just a pleasure to listen to.  You never visit her home but that you are offered a cup of tea. 

I love drawing glass because of all the complex shadows and highlights.  Carbon pencil was used for the darks and mid-tones, blending with a chamois square into the lighter areas.  I used a #B graphite pencil for the reflective portions of the cup to bring that area forward.  Graphite has a natural shine even when used very light.  This is especially noticeable when placed next to carbon or charcoal.

Afternoon Tea is all about shadows and reflections...the more you look the more you see.  The shadows of the cup and saucer on the table and the light they reflect back into the tea.  The shadow of the teabag on the left side of the cup, the small tea leaves that have floated to the top of the tea bag, and the way the string moves down the side of the cup into the saucer...even the tiny tag on the end leaves a shadow on the saucer.  Lastly, and not to be ignored, is the handle on the cup...poised and ready for you to take a sip.  It's amazing how something so simple as a cup of tea can be so multi-faceted.


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The Story Behind the Image: This was a particularly enjoyable piece do do...not only because of the subject but because of the story that lead to doing this set-up.

My daughter and I were preparing dinner and my grandson (then around seven) wanted ice cream. I said "dinner will be ready soon, why not have a piece of fruit instead". As boys will be boys...he picked up a fork from the table, "stabbed" the pear and said "I choose this one"!

I later set up the experience from memory as you see in this drawing.

I purposely chose a pear that had been knocked around some. I liked the texture it added to the drawing. It was a great subject...notice how the skin swells around the tines of the fork, the smooth texture of the fork in contrast to the bruising and marks on the pear.

The background is done in carbon as is most of the pear. I used some graphite on the fork to bring out the highlights and enhance the shape.


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



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The Story Behind the Image: I had this image for some time before I actually took the time to lay out the drawing. It was one of the more pains taking drawings that I've done and has proven to be one of my most requested prints. In fact I could have sold the original time and time again.

Viewers comment over and over that The Fork and Spoon Club reminds them of when their children were young and responsible for emptying the dish washer...and I can totally relate.

I used mainly carbon pencil in this drawing, applying it directly to the paper in the darkest areas and using a blender to apply the softer shadow areas. Graphite was used where I wanted to pull the subject forward...as in the reflective bend in the handles and some in the reflective 'bowl' of the spoon.

The drawing "The Fork and Spoon Club" is on cream toned fine art paper, and presented in a double mat. It is also offered as a Limited Edition Print...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.


Links:
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"The Fork and Spoon Club"...learn more Read More

Links:
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"Grapes and Pears, a still life"...learn more


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The Story Behind The Image:  This is part of a commission I did sometime ago.  Just thought I would share it with you. Evelyn, 14 at the time, is serene and at peace with her guitar, (which I cropped out). The photo references (seen below) were a revelation to her Grandmother. She realized that at nearly 15 Evelyn's confident and regal demeanor revealed a serious passion about her music. Grandma said that Evelyn was very smart and independent, yet had a playful side that she adored.

I used three reference photos for this portrait. Grandma and I felt the first one was the photo that best personified the attributes she saw in her granddaughter. I to felt the photo was perfect and the subject was beautiful...a true pleasure to draw. I've included all three photo references to better enable you to see the person I saw while working on this commission.



I wanted to make sure that the finished portrait portrayed the serene peaceful young woman that Grandma saw in that moment. As I look at Evelyn's portrait today, I believe you can see the confident passion in her eyes.




I book my commissions in the summer months... scheduling them for completion during the fall and winter. I'm so busy with shows during the summer that I have very little time to work on any drawing...not even for myself. By the time I'm finished in September with my shows, I am really suffering from withdraw! I look forward to my commissioned pieces and begin to plan my new works for the next year. My drawing table is "burning up" with activity.

I hope you enjoyed viewing the reference photos along with the finished portrait. I will try to post more like this in the future. You can follow the link below to "grandma's special present" to learn more about this commission and why it was so special.


Links:
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
Grandma's Special Present

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...Inga Perdita...
Carbon and Graphite on Cream Tone Fine Art Paper

Commissioned Portrait



Inga, Age 2, was all dressed up as "Tinkerbel" at her sisters costume birthday party. Grandma captured this moment as Inga purposely avoided her request for a smile.

As we talked more about Inga, I learned she had a quiet, spunky, independent, and sometimes wary nature.  The portrait of Inga was just part of Grandma's Special Present her children received that year for Christmas.

The finished portrait reflects Inga's personality perfectly.  You can almost hear an audible 'no' in response to grandma's request for a smile.  You can actually feel the moment.

The Story Behind the Image..."Tinkerbell's" wings were a bit of a challenge.  I used graphite to give them a translucent appearance and some shine.  I also used a little graphite on her cheek and forehead to pull them forward.  Carbon pencil was used for the rest of the drawing and applied with various blenders except in the darkest areas where I applied 6B carbon directly to the drawing paper.

I'm Booking Commissions Now...for later this year (October- December) and the first part of 2009 (January -March).  I do my commission work in the fall and winter months, heading out to exhibit at Art Fairs during the spring and summer months.

I only have time for 8-10 commissioned pieces each year and I'm generally booked by the end of summer.  You can learn more about the commission process at this link.  You'll find lots of helpful information.  The process isn't difficult but it does take time.  After all, were creating an heirloom that will be passed down through generations to come.  If this is something you want, together we can make it happen.


Links:
Fine Art Blog...The Extraordinary Pencil...blogsopt
My Squidoo...Drawing Techniques



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Miss Mouse... carbon and graphite pencil on paper, 6x9, prints available, double matted

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The Story Behind the Image:  Miss Mouse is our neighborhood cat.  We say she is a "free spirit."  She never lets anyone get too close and only comes around if she thinks there is a meal for her.  Miss Mouse and her family live in the big storm sewer pipe that drains into the branch near my home.  I worry about her and her little family because when it rains this pipe drains all the water from the streets...but somehow she always knows just when to move her kittens to higher ground!  

On this day I used my telephoto lens and got this wonderful shot of her "shopping" for her own meal.  Crouched down in the grass, stalking a bird...all you could see was her head.  She definitely had lunch on her mind.  I just love the intensity in her eyes and I tried to catch the intensity of her gaze in my drawing.

The drawing Miss Mouse is on cream toned fine art paper and presented in a double mat.  It is offered in Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.

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Pencil Shavings...carbon pencil on paper, 6x7, prints available, double mat

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The Story Behind the Image: This drawing was developed as the "Signature Piece for my Blog."  I felt not only was the pencil significant to the form of art that I produce, but also significant as a tool used for writing. 

The "pencil shavings" represent the little parts of ourselves left behind whenever we interact with others.  Be it negative or positive...we are molded by these interactions and enriched by what we receive.

As for the "point"...well, we are always making a "point" to someone about something.  It has grown to be the American way and so has the blog.

The drawing Pencil Shavings is on cream toned fine art paper and presented in a double mat.  It is offered in Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.

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Salad Fixins... carbon pencil on paper, 6x9, prints available, double matted

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The Story Behind the Image:  This drawing is really about how the light plays around in the shadows.  I love how the light comes through the holes of the colander and shines on the dark wall behind.  The outside of the colander is full of reflected light, causing both light and shadows on the vegetables and the egg...the more I studied the photo, the more I saw...By the way, I did make a salad.

I said that this drawing was all carbon pencil but actually did use some graphite on the egg and colander for some of the reflected highlights. 

The drawing Salad Fixins is on cream toned fine art paper and presented in a double mat.  It is offered in Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.

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Old Fashioned Iris... carbon pencil and graphite on paper, 6x5, prints available, double matted

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This is the companion drawing for "Dutch Iris".

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The Story Behind the Image:  The tubers for this iris were actually given to me by my grandmother when I was first married.  I have moved them many times over the years and given many starts to friends.  It is a spindly little thing...getting lost easily in the garden.  But for me it's beauty is in the special memories that come to mind every season when it blooms.

I took the photo reference early one morning after a spring shower.  You can see the droplets of water still on the petals.

The drawing Old Fashioned Iris is on cream toned fine art paper and presented in a double mat.  It is also offered in two sizes of Open Edition Prints...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices. 

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Martini Time... carbon and graphite on paper, 6x9, prints available, double matted

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This is the companion drawing for "Perfect Companions".

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The Story Behind the Image: Martini Time was a special request by someone who had purchased the drawing, "Perfect Companions".  She was a martini fan and her husband liked to sit and sip his scotch and smoke a cigar.  They wanted the two drawings for their bar area.

The photo for this drawing was taken from a vantage point just below eyelevel.  I used carbon pencil for the darkest shadow areas and graphite pencil to indicate the clear, reflective areas of the martini glasses.  The shiny graphite is perfect for rendering reflective highlights on glass.  I really like this drawing...the subject is timeless and the angle of the photo is unusual.

The drawing Martini Time is on cream toned fine art paper and presented in a three inch double mat.  It is also offered in two sizes of Open Edition Prints...check my Portfolio for availability of Original and prices.

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Abby, asleep on daddy's shoulder... charcoal and graphite on paper, Original..10x13, prints available..6x5, double matted

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The Story Behind the Image:  Every summer my church has a "tent service" one evening during the county fair.  It was very warm as usual during that time of year and Abby had spent the afternoon enjoying the fair with her daddy.  The music was playing and people were singing...I looked over and Abby was sound asleep in her daddy's arms.  There was such a trusting peace about the expression on her face and the way she kept snuggling into her daddy's neck. 

This portrait has always been a favorite of mine, there is just something special about the relationship a little girl has with her daddy.  It brings to mind more secure uncomplicated times.

The drawing Abby, asleep on her daddy's shoulder is on cream toned fine art paper and presented in a double mat.  It is also offered in Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices. 

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My Baby...carbon pencil on paper, 6x7, prints available, double matted

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The Story Behind the Image:  I was at the park last fall when I saw this young woman and her new puppy.  I watched from the distance while they played, then she picked the puppy up and carried it on her shoulder like a "baby."  She would hold it down in her arms, rocking it back and forth, talking to it and giving kisses...then put it back up on her shoulder again.  The puppy was a large breed, with a reddish color to it's coat...perhaps an Irish Setter.  I watched them for a long time, taking lots of photos. 

She got into her car and left before I could get her name or the name of her "baby"...but I have thought of them often.  It was a very touching moment, witnessing the love between this young woman and her puppy.

The drawing My Baby is on cream toned fine art paper and presented in a double mat.  It is also offered in two sizes of Open Edition Prints...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.

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