Mr. Lincoln...ready for first critique

"Mr. Lincoln"

carbon and graphite pencil...11x23
Commissioned Portrait
WIP #2

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

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3 Responses to Mr. Lincoln...ready for first critique

Hello Marsha,

Your Abraham Lincoln is looking very good! Must be so rewarding being able to achieve such a likeness!

Wonder what he would be thinking if he were running now?

I look forward to seeing the finished result.

Best wishes and happy drawing,
Faith Germishuizen

Posted by Faith Germishuizen · via web · 217 months ago

I love what you have captured. I find that I get the best likenesses when I check the photo against the drawing by holding them both upside down - a suggestion made in "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". Using this technique has made an immediate difference to me since it scrambles my mental storage of the way things ought to look and let's me see them as they are - shapes and values. What a tremendous amount of work - and a wonderful drawing!

Thanks for sharing - Jean

Posted by Jean Corbett · via web · 217 months ago

Faith...Thank you for the lovely compliments on my work. And yes, as I've worked on this drawing my thoughts have wondered often to the question,"What would this great man think of his country today?" I don't think he would be happy with us. I wonder "what would he do?"

Jean...The 'Right Side of the Brain' trick is something I use often to check my line drawing but not so much when I get to the actual shading. I find what helps me most during the shadowing stage of the drawing is sit it across the room from me or somewhere I can 'glance' at it for awhile.

I've also found taking a photo, as I did for this post also helps me see more accurately what areas need more work.

My biggest error is going too far before stepping back for a look...I get so into the drawing that I loose hours of time.

Thank you so much for your comments and encouragement.

Posted by Marsha L Robinett · via web · 217 months ago

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