Catherine, charcoal on paper
 

This is a portrait I did today of my girlfriend. It is charcoal on paper, size is 12 x 18. Comments are welcome.

I've become a bit of a bigmouth here, and I'm not qualified to critique your work, but I do think you've done a very nice job.

The reason I'm posting is to ask you to share a bit about your technique. Compressed charcoal? Vine? Charcoal pencil? I'm guessing it's a combination, but could you tell me about the process?

tutorial
 

Hi Jeff,

Thanks. I have an old tutorial page that I have not linked up with my homepage yet, but here is the link. Hope this will work. drawing tutorial

Josef,

This is quite beautiful -- in tone, line and mass. I get a sense of her sense of humor, and of her essence at the moment you drew her. Was this done from life? If so, you might move it to the "life session" category; although I do like to see the drawing category paid attention to as well.

I especially like how you used both mass and line in the treatment of her hair.

You've told a lot with this story.

One of Karin Wells' posts has me thinking more about composition in my own work. You might do the same even for one-day studies. Your subject is a little cramped on the page (if this image is not cropped). It would be nice to have more head room and more space for her gaze to move into.

Thanks Mari,

I used a photogragh as a reference. Eventually I will do an oil painting of her and ask her to pose several sittings for me.

That is funny that you mention composition because this is the 2nd drawing I did. The 1st on was a lot bigger and I soon realized that the hair would not fit in so I restarted.

I am used to working on 14" x 17" instead of 12" x 18" but before I used to do all charcoals on 12" x 18". I also did not want to draw too small because it is a bit tricky to do the details. I will sure keep in mind the composition when I do the oil painting. Thanks. ;)

Girlfriend's portrait
 

Joseph,

Lovely, lively, as good as any I have seen. It does not look timid or overworked. I love the movement of the hair.

One tiny thing. The eye on our right needs a little correction. Watch the drawing on the lower lid. The curve is a little off, Watch the drawing of the edge of that eye as it touches the edge of the face, again a tad off. The white on the bottom lid toward the nose is a bit strong and distracting. This is, at least for me, one of the trickiest parts of a 3/4 drawing. Otherwise a fabulous job!

Sincerely,

Eye
 

Thanks, Sharon. I saw that too when I was posting it. I did the correction already but I have to take a picture again. I will repost the new one tonight. Thanks again.

Update
 

Retouched eye.

Catherine
 

Hi Joseph, I think your correction worked very well. I like this drawing very much. She's very real and spontaneous.

Jean

Nice work, Josef, and I agree that the hair is particularly nice. I also agree that the eyes have a problem. They appear flat. The line on the right side of the eye on the right appears to be weak. The tear duct of the eye on the left appears to be too far forward. However, overall, the drawing works.

Josef,

Very nice drawing, beautiful hair. About the eyes, in my opinion it is the subject's right eye that is the problem.

The subject is very much in a three-quarter pose yet her right eye is looking right at me. I don't think this is your intention. If her gaze is straight ahead, as her left eye looks more inclined to be, then the problem is with her right eye. In fact it appears that her right eye was drawn from a straight on pose. Cover our left side of her face with your hand and ask in which direction is she looking. Then cover the other side of her face and ask again.

This all coming from the eyes of an old Bohemian who needs his prescription updated.

From life
 

Josef,

Great Job! Leave it alone! Now do a drawing of her from life. Nothing refines our skills and defines our style more than drawing from a model. The imperfections, the deviating from the photographic gives our work personal identity. Look at Ruben's drawings -- exquisite, stylish, certainly not photographic. Cherish your quirks.

Sincerely,

YES - Sharon nailed it.

From Harold Speed, "The Practice and Science of Drawing," look up page 71 where he talks about "dither" or the play that is necessary in a mechanical engine for it to work.

Mari,

Nice quote, I think I'll include that at the bottom of my contract in small print.

Thank you everyone for the feedback and great advice.

The oil painting will be on the way. (From life.)

Hi Josef,

Beautiful drawing, beautiful girl, don't change the drawing (or girlfriend ;) )

One comment, my feeling is that the drawing would perhaps have had a little more atmosphere and depth if you had suggested a little of her clothing/ body in the area where the signature is.

I wouldn't change this drawing, maybe something to consider in future projects.

Peter

Josef, great job! I can see why you want to move out of computer animation now!

She certainly looks beautiful! Wonder why?;)

Thanks Peter and Beth. You are very kind. Animation was always second to Fine Arts.:D

Hi, Josef,

A beautiful drawing. I see you haven't any problems with value-massing ;) I like your rendering work. Hair is fantastic. What says your girlfriend?

Best wishes,
Leslie

Thanks Leslie. She is pretty happy. I think she cannot wait until I start on the oil painting.