You may remember this one from here. I really liked this sketch but ruined it with watercolors the first time. So, I redrew it from the prior sketch, and amazingly enough it looks MORE like him this time. I wanted a portrait similar to the one I did of myself (#6), so I could frame it and put it next to mine. (see it on the wall in the photo of my workspace?) Things didn't go as smoothly though, and even though I used the same paper, the mistakes couldn't be scrubbed out. The paper began to disintegrate. Can you see that dark spot under his chin? That would be one of the spots! I also don't like his pupils being that dark; they're distracting. This was sketched in pencil and the tone was added with neutral tint watercolor.
After seeing Dan's wonderful charcoal drawings, I decided to pull mine out and try using them. I had vine charcoal once upon a time, but I couldn't find it. I have these things, but don't confuse that with 'having used' these things before! Like my oil paints, they have been sitting in a drawer, unused. Now, when I did a quick sketch with the vine charcoal-- a couple of decades ago--I remember it being easy to smudge around. I didn't realize the pencils would be so different! If I had known it wouldn't be as easy, I think I would not have put in the tone the way I did. See all those lines in the background? I thought they would smudge out. Anyway, I struggled with this one and finally gave up. I knew something was off, but didn't realize exactly what, until I scanned it and accidentally hit mirror! Now do you see it? Maybe you saw it in the first scan and I didn't because my eyes weren't fresh, but when I mirrored it, it was so obvious!! There is a definite slant to the head that shouldn't be there. The good news is that I now know of a quick way to look at things anew. I'd like to try this again, but I think I'll pick up some vine charcoal next time I'm out, or perhaps locate the stash I have around here, somewhere! 
There is a lot of talk amongst our group about how negative we can be on our own work. We see the flaws that others don't. I think about that a lot when I write my posts, but I just can't stop pointing them out. But, I wonder if that is really a bad thing? The way I see it, if I don't acknowledge the flaws, how can I improve? There is a lot that I like about my drawings too. I may not mention them as often, but I think if I didn't find some redeeming qualities, I would have quit already. Sometimes I am embarrassed to admit that I like them, almost like it is too immodest(?). Maybe, but perhaps by my picking out things that bother me, it might help you too? I can think of several occasions when other bloggers have pointed out things they didn't like, which I hadn't noticed or even thought about before. It was new to me, and I learned from it, and I can now apply that to my own artwork. What are your thoughts?I'm moving slowly on these self-portraits. Number 100 seems so very far away!
I love the new version and yes I can see the improvement! I wouldn't even notice the spots unless you mentioned them. It looks perfectly fine to me!
ReplyDeleteOh boy I am so jealous of you and Dan. Now you guys are playing with charcoal. Tell you something funny, being naive and all, I went to hobby lobby and got myself a white charcoal chalk... I was thinking, I could probably use them for highlight my portraits. So I discovered that chalk don't work on graphite as graphite creates smooth and soft surface, the chalk just won't stick or lay any layer. So my next item to buy is charcoal pencils ^^
Is it the moon, the weather, or what?! I have been in one of the same slumps. I erase more than I sketch and wash off more than I paint. My daughter (16) told me that I should just change my whole style and stop painting animals & flowers, or do something abstract. I found that a bit harsh and scary. Abstract - me! I love your sketches, even if your head is a little slanted.
ReplyDeleteI can see the flaws but only because you pointed them out. Aside from these I think they are fantastic! You remind me of me and are very self critical, but I think that's a good thing - If we are noticing our mistakes, then it can only mean we are learning! I love using willow charcoal, but I don't get on with either compressed charcoal or charcoal pencils either. Willow is so smudgey and easy to move around unlike the others :0)
ReplyDeleteI think your portraits are very good. Personally, I find it helpful when others point out their difficulties and struggles, because then I also get in on what they are learning, plus I don't feel that I am the only one who has artistic hurtles to jump.
ReplyDeleteAbout using the mirror image option--good idea. I sometimes turn my drawing upside down, or scan it and look at it on the computer screen to get a 'fresh eye' towards it. It's amazing the blunders that will leap out at me even though I couldn't see them before. If I am not aware of my blunders, then I am not growing, so I see that as a good thing.
Raena,
ReplyDeleteI completely understand regarding pointing out the negatives in your on artwork. I am just beginning to get into art myself, and have found myself quite disgruntled and discouraged by the flaws. I appreciate that you share the same feelings yet continue to create your artwork. Perhaps it will be inspiration for me to do the same.
I often use a mirror to check a drawing,it's a good way to check everything's in the right place! I think your daughter is right in a way, sometimes we can get stuck doing the same subjects, I find doing the EDM's gets me out of my box and trying different ideas.
ReplyDeleteThese have great charm. The toughest subjects are the ones who are close to us.
ReplyDeleteI think both of these are wonderful! When I saw the slant I really thought it had more to do with not shading the sphere so to speak. You captured your hand and your face beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see the slant, but did think the really dark background was a little harsh in fact I think you could de-emphasize the slant by toning down that dark corner behind your head. I do like sharing the artistic journey with the artists I've met thru Flickr and EDM... I don't think I'd have ever improved as much as I have without the encouragement of my fellow students of art on the internet.
ReplyDeleteI think you are doing quite well. I always notice things I don't like when I upload them onto the computer. I think you should point out something you don't like if you think it would help yourself or others. Like the pupils being too dark. I don't have much experience at all of drawing faces but I will think about this when I do. Thanks for the heads up! But I think you should alsw tell what you like so its a balanced picture of the good and bad. I learn a lot from what people say about their work.
ReplyDeleteThe famous cut off head error - Betty Edwards talks about that one. I've done it too, on several occasions. Keep at it though - there are bound to be duds, but I agree with you totally that being able to look at something objectively - to see what works and what does not - is the only way to learn. I think it also stops us getting too precious about what we're doing.
ReplyDeleteIt's so frustrating when the paper begins to disintegrate isn't it? But I still like the portrait very much, I really like your use of watercolour and the image has presence and personality - these are far more difficult to portray than a perfect likeness (which can often end up a bit dead looking, I think).
thanks for your honesty and for such a well written and thoughtful post.
Wonderful sketch!
ReplyDeleteBoth sketches are wonderful - even with the flaws which I wouldn't have noticed. Self-portraits, or those of people you know, are too scarey for me to even try. So pat yourself on the back and enjoy the successes....
ReplyDeleteI've done two self-portraits that I recall - one that was like a colorful mug shot, and the other that I was relieved to find out from my family didn't look like me at all. So I give you a lot of credit. I think these are both wonderful (I have had my own battles with paper). I don't think the slant is terribly pronounced - I have, by the way, had exactly the same problem with eyes again and again. (I wonder why?) And thank you so much for the comment on my charcoal drawings - you are so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI use mirrors, by the way, a lot to learn about flaws in my works - sometimes as I go. When it looks good in the mirror, I know I've gotten at least the proportions right. I have also learned from blogs that you can use a mirror to see how something looks far away, without getting up.
We must be self-critical (at least privately). After all, if I am perfect, what is there to learn? The question then is whether to share.
I've thought about the EDM group and comments. I do not point out mistakes because people may not notice them, as we've discussed. And the mistakes I find important may not be important to the overall work even if I think they are. I've also stopped ever talking negatively about my work in my blog mainly because I felt uncomfortable doing it, but not nearly as uncomfortable as I have felt when I have said that I liked one of my works. So my own personal preference has been to just put it out there and try to gauge reaction.
We tend to be a positive and encouraging group. I've thought about this as well. I think we artists need this - I know I do. Too critical, and we can shrivel up although advice is always helpful and welcome. Sometimes the comments are whitewashed - I know this, and so try not to take compliments too seriously. But I gauge the success of the work (or the post) not just by the positive aspect of comments, but by the details, the number of comments (they don't have to comment, after all), etc.
I know EDM folks have chosen not to give negative comments, which on the whole is good I think. I have wondered sometimes whether members of the group would benefit to adopt the "Oreo cookie method" (1st - compliment, 2nd - constructive advice, 3rd - compliment) so that they can offer constructive criticism that we can all learn from, but I am not sure whether this can successfully be done in such a small space.
I have learned so much from the EDM group in so many countless ways that I don't think it matters.
Personally I think the human form is the most difficult thing to draw, especially the face. Ive just recently been attempting to draw portraits and I think I had to draw the same face ten times till it looked vaguely familiar, but they do get better every time you draw! Sometimes when I hold a drawing up to a mirror or flip it on photoshop I see mistakes that I hadn't noticed before. These are very well drawn though. You are very pretty! :)
ReplyDeleteI find usually find mistakes that I hadn't noticed before in my work when I scan it to post it to my blog. Sometimes I don't notice something in particular until After I've posted it. I comfort myself (or at least try to) by appreciating that at least I can see what's wrong most of the time. We all tend to be way harder on ourselves than others are, but then that's a way to keep growing, right? Your portraits are very good, and the more you do, the better you get. Well said by the person who's in and out of slumps all the time! nancy
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about not being too negative about the art we make. If it comes from a deep desire to draw, sketch, paint, or put any sort of marks down on paper it doesn't really matter what it looks like or what others think about it as long as it responds to something inside of you. But I know I tend to be very self-deprecating about my own sketches because I'm comparing them with a lot of really good art that I look at in the EDM group. It's probably my natural British reserve :-)
ReplyDeleteYou look like me..about 20 years ago...weird to see!
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