Posthumous Commission
 

Hi,
This is almost done and is for a daughter, a portrait of her deceased mom. The step mom will be in from New York this weekend, so it has to be finished by then. I am posting a poor pic of the reference, but you can get an idea. I am happy with the likeness and am just wondering about how "finished" to make the hair. It just looks black and very dark and her ear is sticking out in the photo and I don't know how good it would look in the drawing. I see, looking at the image I have to tone down the corner of her mouth on our left to push it back more. Anything else glaring out at anyone??

Thanks for looking.

Here's a closeup
 

A close-up

Hi Pat,

This is coming out great! I don't see an issue with the ear, but you should ask before deciding to eliminate it. I would leave it in assuming it was part of the lady's character. It looks like it would have always been poking out.

I would leave a medium tone near the highlights in the hair. Have it go dark, then use your judgement with lightening it as it goes near the highlight.

If you don't mind, here are three examples from the same drawing of a girl with black hair. You can see a mid-tone before the highlights in the top of the head one. The second is mostly mid and dark, and the third shows a path of where I would put highlights if it were needed and not clear in the reference. You may already be using one, but I get the the brightest parts with a kneaded eraser that I shape so it has a edge, then lightly drag it along. Hope it helps, and I apologize if I'm telling you stuff you already know.

I'll be waiting for the finish. Good luck.

Jimmie,
You are a godsend. Thanks for the images. I will print up and have with me in my studio while I am working on her hair. I also think the ear should show, but I will try to play it down a bit. For some reason I cannot pull out the graphite with the same success as I see you do on your drawings and I know I am using the same paper as you use. Is there a particular brand you use?

Thanks.
Pat

This is lovely, Pat. I can't wait to see it done. What a beautiful woman!

Jean

Pat,

This is really beautiful!

Personally I'd lose the ear, since you as the artist need to attend to the design elements, and the ear is a little disconnected island of white, and will draw from your focal point.

But if in doubt, follow Jimmie's advice.

PS You have handled that shoulder beautifully.

I don't think that the hair needs a great deal of finish, but I do think that it would benfit from some dark values, just as long as you keep the silhouette edges of the hair soft.

This drawing is really lovely! Have you ever tried drawing on tracing paper to lay over your good drawing? This way you can try out hair finished to a different degree, lay the tracing paper trial over the drawing you don't want to ruin, and see if you want to go in that direction.

I must admit that I rarely do this, but your drawing is finished to a point that you may want to think twice about adding more.

Thanks for the input Jean, Chris and Renee. I worked on her last night and I am almost finished. Some finishing touches on the hair and then it's done. I realized yesterday the upon looking at the photo with a magnifier, I do believe she is wearing a wig!! That, or this woman had a real HEAD of BLACK shiny hair! I will post the finished drawing tomorrow. I came up with a idea that I think enhances the drawing, as far as matting.

Renee, when I read your suggestion this morning to use tracing paper I laughed. I couldn't decide where to put my signature when I finished last night so I wrote it on tracing paper and moved it all around the portrait!!! Next time I will do this with a more important element, LIKE the HAIR ;)

As always, appreciate the comments and support!!

I still have tomorrow morning if this needs "tweaked" in any way. The cropping you see looks crooked, but it is generally how I think I want to matt it. I think showing the shape of the back of her hair makes it look VERY dated. I would rather the portrait look more timeless. The way this is reading on my monitor I think there is glare on her hair just to the (our) right of her ear. That section is actually very dark. But you know how graphite gets a bit shiny when darkly applied. is there a fixative that can take care of that???

If anything jumps out at you, feel free offer your opinions or suggestions. I am still open to making this better.

Thank you for your support and additional critical eye!!

Fantastic Pat. And this is the little girl having issues with her drawing just couple of years back. I'm so proud of all the progress you've made.

The ear looks great, you've forced the highlights in the hair (make sure they're not too light) and downplayed the ear, so it's not just sticking out. Just check the balance, it's hard to read from the monitor.

You never mentioned size or paper, if you can please share. Once again, :thumbsup:

Thanks, Jimmie! I am grinning from ear to ear like a proud student!! I do think I need to go in and work on the hair some more. Especially the highlighted section on the back portion on our right and the very top of her head. And perhaps darken the highlights just a bit. It needs to be more polished which I can do with "H" and "HB".

This is on Canson Mi-Tientes about 10 x 14. The head is under life size about 3/4. It does read better in person and I think it is my lack of photo skills UGH. Another thing I have to really work on - taking GOOD reference shots! Although I did use a tripod, I still can't get a real clear pic???

Pat,

You have really done a top-rate job here!

But you can't crop over your signature! Eveything you place on the surface becomes a compositional element, including the signature. Can you remove it, and resign it over on the empty space on the lower left?

I think it's a good idea to wait until after matting/ framing to place your signature:)

Hi Pat, she looks wonderful. Her expression is captivating!

I got a remote cord for my camera, now if I really need a clear photo I can get it. Shaky arms can mess up the best camera.

Jean

Hi Chris and Jean,
I wondered if anyone would notice my signature being off! Yeah, I can erase and sign it again. And, I will follow your advice and never sign it until it is matted. I think my camera has a delay thing-a-ma-jig on it, so I will take out the booklet and see how to do it. Even on a tripod the camera probably still moves, it is pretty small.

You are making my day with your compliments. My eyes have stopped being discriminating with this one, so the feedback is encouraging me before I have to present it to the client tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Thanks again!

Beautiful Pat!!

Thanks, Terri!

Well done Pat. :)

Really beautiful! Congrats on a great job.

Thank you Joseph and Mary!
Now, it seems I find myself in the post-project slump. Is this normal? Can't seem to draw for anything :bewildere

Pat,

I missed this finished before..

This looks fabulous! Your improving at an astounding rate - good for you!

Yes - that is normal. :)

Kim, it is good to hear the "downer" is normal. I spent all day Sunday with a model, taking pictures, did a color study, and sketched her, but all the drawings looked AWFUL!! It was like I could not "see". Very discouraging. This week I am drawing every night...

Patricia,

I must have missed this one - what a beautiful portrait, so sensitively handled....and such exquisite restraint you've shown here. Bravo!!!

Thank you, David. I'm flattered! ;)

I also missed this, sorry.

Very fine drawing, especially the features of the head, that are more painted than drawn. You should work on the hair in the same manner.

I also like the pose and the way that you drew the neck, collar and shoulder................ elegant.!!!

Allan

Thank you Allan!
I can't take credit for the pose, however, I did feel I had to minimize the clothing as it is a very dated photo from the seventies. I had a problem with the hair, as I always do. but each time it gets a little easier! When I draw in graphite I imagine that it would be easier with a brush. But when I paint I get so confused still with color. . . In time it will come together, no doubt!!! I am always conflicted with the time I have in my studio, "should I paint or draw" Seems right now my inclination is to keep drawing as I have so much more to learn.

I missed this one too, Pat... it's terrific, beautifully and sensitively managed. You've done a fantastic job with the subtle modelling of this piece, I really like it!

I don't do much graphite but if I did I would work on transparent vellum. I tried this a few weeks ago and it really made the graphite appear dark and mysterious.

Thank you Linda, this has been very encouraging this week, when I needed a boost! Transparant vellum? I will look for it this weekend, sounds very interesting. I do love drawing in graphite, and have ideas building for some new ones . . . . .

Wanted to share with you all...
I received an email from my client in New York who presented the portrait to the subject's daughter this past weekend. She said that she, "sat on the floor, looked at it for the longest time in silence. She was overwhelmed. Her father was so impressed with the likeness and aliveness."

I'm so psyched!!! :) :)

You should be psyched, this turned out lovely. I'm on the sorry I missed this one list as well but I'm glad I saw it now.

Way to go.

That kind of response makes all the worry and hard work worth it! I'm so glad they were pleased, you should be beaming inside. :sunnysmil

Jean

Thank you Janel and Jean,
At this point in my development it is such a rush! It does confirm what my intentions and desires are - to be a portrait artist in the truest sense. I am slowly beginning to feel authentic and I can't wait to start on the next piece ;)

Of course, the encouragement I get from all the incredible artists here is priceless. I can't imagine where I would be without this community!! For those of us who are not attending the "BIG DO" in DC, it's going to be awfully quiet around here this weekend. Sure wish I were going to be there. Maybe next year!!

Beautiful job, Pat! No wonder she just had to sit down and look.

I didn't see anyone address the graphite shininess, so I''ll share what works for me - several coats of a mat, nonworkable fixative.

Thank You Julie!! I usually spray it with workable fixative. I'll try the nonworkable fixative. I do get some reduction with the workable fixative but not entirely.

Pat, just saw this for the first time. I have to echo all the other compliments, this is lovely! Very well done, and professional looking. I'm sure this will be treasured by the daughter.
Debra

Pat,

I just got back from California and saw this wonderful piece. What great strides you have made. I sure your client will love this!

Debra and Sharon,
Your remarks mean so much to me. They give me great encouragement to keep going!!!
Thank You!