Christmas Drawings
 

I guess you could call this an "After Christmas Report", with a few samples. I survived a Christmas rush, with 35 charcoal portraits and one pastel done between Nov. 5 and Dec. 23rd. Whew!

Here are a few samples....

Wow, Julie,
is this from live sittings? They look so alive, please show some more.

Oh, no, they're all from photos. Just try to make a kid hold still!

Here's a few others-

Terrific, Julie! And I'm impressed with how you managed to get them all done in such a short time.

Thanks, Alex. It was stressful for sure.

Nice, Julie.

Thanks, Cynthia. These aren't fancy, but the families seemed happy.

I got one lovely note after Christmas from a mom whose own mother commissioned the grandchild's charcoal drawing. When a parent says that tears came to their eyes upon seeing the portrait and thanks you; that's what makes the stress worth it.

These are really nice, Julie. I especially like the first one.

Thanks, Mike. That's my favorite too.

Julie

Your work has really taken on a new light. With all that practice you will be churning them out even quicker soon. Well Done! My favourite is no. 2 (the hair in particular).

Julie.

These are fantastic! They are so natural and alive. I especially love the way the girls' hair is rendered. You've found a perfect balance between loose, probing, mark-making and the more careful, deliberate rendering. Wow!

David

Ngaire - thanks! I really enjoyed doing the hair on no. 2 - guess the enjoyment seeped through.
You're right about the practice. I got to where I didn't need to measure things (other than one or two quick comparisons); just draw. I practiced a fair bit before the Christmas season, though, and my first few tries were horrible. Practice really made a difference.

And, wow, David, thanks for the kind words! I dont gravitate towards detailed renderings - seem to have some sort of "artistic ADHD" when it comes to that, so I try to give the gist.

Julie, you have been one busy lady! I favor number one in particular.

Isn't it interesting how the holiday rush forces us to learn to pick up the pace?!

Yeah, it's amazing what can be cranked out under pressure, but that pace could kill me if I kept up too long! It's nice having time to clean the house now (if I want to).