One more detail.
I will make a Virtual Vernissage for that Portrait as soon as my "chat" or "forum" section on my site is working.

DiBond
 

Sergio,

Dibond is a lightweight composite of an aluminum surface with a polyester core. It is made by a Swiss company http://www.alusuisse-comp.com. It comes in 4'x8', 4'x10' and 5'x10' sheets of 2mm, 3mm, 4mm. The 4mm would be best for you. It is primarily used for outdoor signs, it is very durable.

You can have it monter sans colle ou monter sec at a place that does grande affiches de photographie. Check to see if the DiBond can take the heat.
You will have a lightweight smooth surface that will not warp (voiler).

As to the paper, there are two options of American paper, none are as superior as Arches. Lenox, 250gm. 80" x 20 yds. or Multimedia Aquarelle, 380gm. 80" x 20 yds. You can order samples from www.nycentralart.com.

You can also coat the Dibond with an acrylic gesso that is receptive to graphite, you have to sand it lightly first, the company will tell what grit to use. You can also have the sides bent back so you have some depth and it is easier to hang. Many US artists are using it, you can even get it with canvas on it.

LE NEZ! Meilleur but not perfect. You will have reproductions of this work, n'est pas, to show galleries etc., unless you plan to drag it around with you. It really is noticable in a reduction.

I just finished a large pastel, 6', photographed it. I noticed to mon horreur that the face was all wrong, so I wiped it off and started again. I agree that 3 months doesn't compare to 3 years mais les changes sont miniscule.

Sincerely,

Thanks for the fantastic information about Dibond. I think today's artists do not use all of the incredible new material that is available.

About the drawing: once I have the certitude it is finished, I cannot change it too much. By changing the nose I might change also something else and else and else. Also sometimes the picture must stay for a while so that later on we can come back to it with a new eye.

Hopefully I still have an unfinished picture to start with, a group of portrait of 8'/8'.

http://www.fireface.com/firemen/grou...ostroverhy.htm

Mon Dieu, many members are being unfairly excluded from parts of this exchange. Please use English on the Forum, other languages in personal emails if you wish.

Thank you.

Excusez-moi
 

Steven,

I did not think Sergio would quite understand drymounting. What I said was take the DiBond and the paper to a place that drymounts large photographic posters or panels and have it done.

Sincerely,

Congratulations on finishing this fantastic pencil Sergio.

Can you tell me two things; how did you size up your reference, did you project from a transparency? How many pencils did you go through? Silly question, but I was curious if you kept count! ;)

Hello Elizabeth,

I did a "grid" of 25 cm each, then the same grid on the photo. I spent around 3 years of work on this, but not continuously of course. Concerning the pencils, not so many -- around 20 or 30 Derwent 3H and some 3B pencil powder (100g).

Actually, here is the final version:

Best regards,

Sergio

So powerfull, so beautifull, Sergio.

Thank you, Sharon,

Hard to underline again and again, but unfortunately the photos of that picture give a completely false impression. It is REALLY monumental when you are in front of it. Maybe your ballet dancers give that monumental impression too.
That is why I feel obliged to show some other photos (as the progression). The first photo especially, with the flash, gives that mysterious feeling which the picture is supposed to have.

First sketch: