After Anthony Ryder
 

Here is my first pencil portrait drawing, I wasn't sure where to put it but I feel brave enough to post it.

I call him Dreadlock Man but it is after Pete Jackson by Anthony Ryder.

Hi Ngaire!
I see tremendous improvement in your work, tones and all. It'll really make a lot of difference in your future works, by paying more attention to accuracy in draughtsmanship in your practice. Keep up the fabulous work! I'm looking forward to it! :thumbsup:

Thanks Marcus for your support and encouragement.

That is neat how you did the lines, is that done in photoshop? Can it be done in other programs, I am still learning about graphics on computers and can only change image size so far.

I knew my nose/forehead was out but I was just using my eyes with no measuring at all, as I thought it is important not to rely on artifical help. Maybe there is a lesson here, don't rely on your eyes to tell you where you have gone wrong, use a set square or generated lines like you have done.

Marcus, could you pm me to explain how you do the lines, I can see great potential in using this effect.

Ngaire, I just wanted to comment on what you said about measuring. I'm a full time student in an atelier and we measure all the time! We are taught to measure, that's what helps train your eye to catch mistakes. So don't feel like measuring is artificial, it's not. Keep up the good work.
Debra

Hi Ngaire! You're most welcome!
Yes it is done with photoshop, and i believe the Windows built-in software can do this line-work too! And it's quite easy to draw...just load up the image in photoshop, and find the Line tool.
Adjust the thickness of the line you wish to use, and voila!

Yes, i fully agree with Debra. It's important for any artist to develop measuring skills - by hand - and not by using additional measuring devices. It is fundamental to develop your hand-eye coordination through this method. Be inspired by great artists from the times before they invented the camera obscura - names like Caravaggio, and Leonardo Da Vinci - and you'll find this is an invaluable asset as an artist. ;)

Measuring
 

Ngaire,

I'm studying with Anthony Ryder right now, and we're practicing envelopes and block-ins from the figure. He does measure to check larger tilts and lengths (with a pencil, skinny paintbrush handle, or skewer), though not constantly; most of his measuring is done by eye. We want to develop the abililty to judge and check accurately by eye alone**, but like Debra said, our eye needs to be trained. So it's useful to use a tool to check our accuracy, at least occasionally.

Anna

**By this I mean not simply looking at the subject, but many different ways of looking, checking and cross-checking. For example: scanning with your eye to feel the distance and tilt between points, seeing the larger shapes, looking for the relationships between shapes, glancing back and forth between the subject and your drawing constantly to compare, etc.

Thanks Debra, Marcus and Anna for your support and comments.

There seems to be a contentious issue with measuring constantly or not or eye with the aid of measuring minimally. I just used my eye with this one and wanted to see if my eye had progressed. Maybe I am asking too much of myself at such an early stage on my self training program.

Anna, I only have one book of Anthony Ryder and thoroughly enjoyed it, you are so lucky to have an opportunity to study with him. His blending is incredible. Any other hints you would like to share?????

Hi Ngaire,
I think your drawing is getting better and better.
There some topics in the forum about measuring which you should examine, the secret is to practice, practice, practice...

Hi Ngaire!
Aside from the drawing/measuring considerations. . . you might want to check your dark values. Especially in the more detailed darks, like where his ponytail gathers towards the nape of his neck, I find the original has the detail rendered within a tighter, darker range than in your version. It's easy to get involved in the details and lose sight of that overall dark effect.