Practice Sketch

[Mara Schasteen]

I originally posted this idea in the Resource Photo critique section (post entitled "Choosing the best..."). I have completed my practice sketch - on cheap paper and with a less than fancy charcoal pencil. I haven't used charcoal in 15 years. I haven't done my homework. I have no idea what kind of paper to use, or what kind of pencil. My own critique of this piece is that I used the charcoal too harshly and that my shadows and highlights are too evenly dispersed. I do like the drawing itself, except that I notice her left hand is too small. My plan is to go and get some decent paper and re-do this drawing, aiming for a more soft focus, lighter touch with the pencil. Advice welcome!

[Alexandra Tyng]

Mara,

I'm a bit rusty on my own drawing skills, but I do think you could try a light toned paper, maybe pale warm grey or beige. Nice paper like this comes in small and large sheets, but I have not seen these colors in pads or books.

Your critique of your own drawing seems to hit most of the important points. The problem of all over spotty shadows and lights might be helped using the toned paper as the light value of the skin. You can put highlights in with white pencil--but sparingly. Watch the right hand, too, as it seems overly delineated or too worked-over so the eye wanders away from her face.

[Patricia Joyce]

What helps reduce the spotty shadows is to remember that you are rendering form. Try to see the head as one sphere. Find the shadows and see how you can unify them instead of breaking the shadow as you have done.

Samewith the arm. the arm is a cylinder first, flesh second. Nuances or hills and valleys along the form are secondary to the overal form. Does this make any sense to you?

Good luck, this will be a beautuful piece when it is completed.

[Mara Schasteen]

Patricia, Yes! This makes sense to me. Thank you for this very simple advice. I am so glad I read this post before I got started on the final drawing.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Mi-teintes paper, compressed charcoal, vine charcoal and charcoal white if you're using a dark toned paper. Use a number 4 and a nuber 10 brush to soften the edges. Stomps must be used carefully or you're gonna mess the drawing up. I also like to dip my brushes into the charcoal powder and spread it on the paper, you should try it on a small piece of paper before you do it on the portrait, you will obtain soft and lost edges and other textures.

Best of luck.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Ps. Silicone free hair fixative and kneaded erasers too.