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Wow! Lots of responses.
Steven, you asked about the lighting for the self portrait. Well, that was a real problem, since I drew it in the evening, when light changes quickly. At the risk of sounding too Gothic: I was seated in the living room of my Victorian home. The Victorians really liked windows, and this room has several, in an octagon bay that faces north. Even with the shutters closed, there was light coming from every direction. I sat in front of a mirrored armoire, and as night fell, I turned on the sconces, which are behind me, but reflect light off the mirror, and into my face. Anyway, I found myself drawing local values with a little bit of shade on one side of my face. Natural light sound like a good idea, but it can be fickle.
Beth,
I can't buy into the "head as ball" theory. If that were true, why do so many people call me "blockhead"?
Gloria,
I used the envelope, but not very successfully. Somehow, I ended up with an unusually small head. Since I had developed the face early, I ended up erasing the rest of the body and drawing it smaller.
Peter,
Yes, I often draw pictures directly from the computer screen. I really like this for several reasons:
1. I can zoom in and out, doing a Whitaker's Waltz without leaving my chair.
2. I can lighten and darken my reference photo all I like to get hidden details.
3. With a digital camera, I can use my reference photo immediately. No film processing.
Thanks to all again,
Jeff
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