Closeup of 'Amanda 2'
 

This is a close-up of a nude I finished recently done with charcoal on 14" x 21" Fabriano Ingres. The color I believe is 'Celeste' which is a beautiful blue/green. You can view the full work at my site at this page . If it is improper to use this link, I will understand if it needs to be edited. Or if the whole thread needs to be removed, then I'll understand that also. Thanks.

Jimmie,

I think this drawing, like all of yours is just fabulous. I can sense how you must have been inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's drawings at the MET exhibition last year. I am curious about your working methods and the amount of time required for a drawing of this quality.

Thanks.

Jimmie, this one is fantastic! I particularly love the exquisite and judicious use of the white for highlights. Beautiful!

-David

Lovely again, Jimmie. The link is just fine, thanks.

Thanks all.

I am still new at charcoals and am only using pencils at this point. I find myself blending in the early stages of the piece trying to find good values. As I progress, I start to add visible strokes and blend here and there if I go too strong. I finish by doing exclusively strokes.
If it helps more, I have a page on my site during this piece's development. I don't really time myself, but I believe it's around twenty-five to thirty hours.

Thanks again.

Jimmie, your work in general has a power and substance that I believe many galleries would be delighted to show, especially in the New York area.

If I were you I would package the best ones up in a portfolio, tuck them under your arm and show them to a whole bunch of galleries. Carefully choose galleries that show representaional work with a bit of an edge, not the touristy ones that show pretty landscapes. These drawings will get (and should get) a lot of positive attention and sales. Go for it!

Thanks Michele for the kind words and encouragement. Today is a beautiful day in Jersey, so I will be taking slides of my newer work and doing some research looking for galleries that I think my work may fit in. Thanks again.

I don't know if you've worked with galleries before but there are a few excellent books on marketing art that have great tips on how to approach a gallery, what to show and how to present it, etc. Two that come to mind are entitled "Taking the Leap" and I think the other one is "Art Marketing 101" or something like that. Good luck!

Go for it, Jimmie!
 

This drawing and the others are just gorgeous.

However, I would wonder if it would not be better to send slides or a disc, then make appointments.

Any comments on this, what has worked the best for others. Just walking in or sending materials first?

I am going to be mailing slides, unless they are close by, then I will drop them off in the hopes of catching someone involved with the job of aquiring new artists. The few that I've found say they have "reviewing periods" and do not look at individual portfolios. I did get an immediate response from Arcadia gallery in NY, it was'nt good news but they said they liked the work, but did'nt need new artsits.

I know not having color in my portfolio is going to hurt my chances, and I would like to get at least one done before submitting again. I wish my home situation was better so I'd have the time and space to work on color. At least the weather is getting better, so I should be able to work in my attic again.

Thanks again.