Bouguereau self portrait
 

Here is my attempt at drawing the Bouguereau self portrait. I am fortunate for living 10 minutes away from the original oil painting. I was able to take my own close up pictures of the original to make this pencil drawing.

Best regards,
Steven

This is beautiful Steve...
 

I would love to see one of your pictures of the original!

Very fine work! What did you use to blend? I have never utilized blending in graphite drawings. This is an excellent drawing. How long did it take?

Thanks Lon,

There is no blending, only very fine cross hatching. Sometimes tedious work but very rewarding in the end. This drawing probably took about 2 to 3 hours. Drawing copies from the masters is a great exercise to learn how to draw along with life drawing which is the ultimate challenge.

Best regards,
Steve

Steven,

Very nice drawing, nice handling of line, some of the best line quality I've seen on this site.

You might have a look at your portrait. The mouth seems to be a little too far to (our) right. Draw a line straight down from the columella, the center of the nose between the nostrils, to the center of the chin. The furrow, cupid's bow, the center of the lower lip and ball of the chin should all line up equally on both sides.

Peggy

Steven,

Sorry, I just realized that this is not the critique site. I hope my last post was not inappropriate.

Peggy

Peggy...
 

Shoot over to the Techniques forum and I'll start a thread. I would like to have your input.

Thanks for that Peggy, you are right on! Mouth is too far too the right. I see other distortions now that Icompare it too the original again with a fresh eye. Now you know I didn't trace it...construcyive criticism is ALWAYS welcome.

Steven

Steven,

Just found this post and am impressed with your drawing skills! I still love pencil drawings though I have given them up, more or less, to pursue oils.

How nice to have the original painting down the road! I am copying another artist's painting and am learning so much from it. It is so nice when someone else has already made the decisions for you.

Post some more...would love to see more of your work. This one is very well done.