Angelina
 

Hi, got back from Florida yesterday where I finished this piece on New Year's Day so it's a 2003-4 piece. It's 18" x 14", graphite and white pastel on light gray Stonehenge paper.

Thanks for looking.

Another triumph.

I'm used to seeing your work on WC before it gets posted here. They're down for another day or two, I imagine.

Do I see smudges? You might want to hit the left background with an eraser.

Thank you Jeff,

There are many "accidents" that I leave in my work. My favorite accidents are the lines left from the quick under-drawing. I'm right-handed, but worked right to left on this piece making lots of smudges. Most were erased, but I liked these, so I left them. If it were commissioned, I would have made it as clean as possible.

Thanks again.

Beautiful! What a great pose. Your creation of form is so good. Did you draw her from life and take photos for this pose? What kind of lighting was on the subject? Really good use of the white pastel - the perfect balance...

Thank you Pat. I just used photographs as time is a big problem for me. The lighting is very simple; I turn off all the lights in the shop, and have one lamp/magnifying glass combo that i use to tattoo a few feet away from her. The magnifying part has nothing to do with the pictures, it just happens to be the lamp at the shop. The one I plan to do of her in pastel has more dramatic lighting, hopefully i can pull it off.

Oops, almost forgot I have a closeup I wanted to post.

JUST ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!! You make me want to leave my office and go to my studio right now and start anew!

This is one of the most beautiful pencil drawings I have ever seen.

Dear Jimmie,

You have executed this drawing with sublety and a very delicate touch, without losing the strength of the image.

Congratulations,

Thank you for such kind words, they are very appreciated.
THAT just made my day, and possibly several days to come.:D
Thanks again.

Jimmie,

Can I ask, did you move to charcoal pencil on this one for the darkest darks, or did you only go to 8B in graphite?? I'm curious because I see no obvious transition. She's so beautiful, I love looking at this drawing. I can't wait to hear in the months to come that you are getting great commissions for your portraits. Have you started marketing yet? I still need more pieces for my portfolio, but you have built quite a portfolio in the past few months! I know you will just soar as soon as your work gets out there...

Bravo
 

Congratulations on your great progress. It's been very enjoyable watching your development. You are one very talented dude.

Marvin, thank you very much.

Pat, most of the darks in her hair was with a 9B, but only where I knew the deepest darks would be. After I lay the 9B, I go over it with a 4 or 2B to fill in gaps and remove some shine. It also helps with the transition to a lighter tone. It's the same procedure with the skin tones, if I'm working with a 2B, for example, I'll use a 5H to fill in. I've tried using charcoal before, and am very uncomfortable using it. I'll need to practice with it first before attempting a finished piece.

The drawings that I've been doing recently have all been for myself for gallery submission. I have'nt been marketing at all for commissions. I plan to later in the year, perhaps advertising in local papers, mainly children's publications. Tried it once before and was able to get two clients, so I'll eventually give it another shot. Thanks again.

Just a tip on marketing, Jimmy: if you're planning to advertise in children's publications you might want to create at least one sample portrait of a child for the ad. Most of what I've seen of your work is of young women from the tattoo shop, right?

I just remembered that I tried it twice. Once in a mag called the ParentsGuide, and the program for my daughter's dance recital. I received a client from each one. The ads contained a portrait of my daughter in pastel, but the ads were b/w. My business card has a pic of my daughter also in pastel. Before I try it again, I will do a drawing of my daughter to use, as I believe the drawing will look better than the previous ads which looked dark. Thanks.