Catherine, charcoal on paper

[Mike McCarty]

Josef,

Very nice drawing, beautiful hair. About the eyes, in my opinion it is the subject's right eye that is the problem.

The subject is very much in a three-quarter pose yet her right eye is looking right at me. I don't think this is your intention. If her gaze is straight ahead, as her left eye looks more inclined to be, then the problem is with her right eye. In fact it appears that her right eye was drawn from a straight on pose. Cover our left side of her face with your hand and ask in which direction is she looking. Then cover the other side of her face and ask again.

This all coming from the eyes of an old Bohemian who needs his prescription updated.

[Sharon Knettell]

Josef,

Great Job! Leave it alone! Now do a drawing of her from life. Nothing refines our skills and defines our style more than drawing from a model. The imperfections, the deviating from the photographic gives our work personal identity. Look at Ruben's drawings -- exquisite, stylish, certainly not photographic. Cherish your quirks.

Sincerely,

[Mari DeRuntz]

YES - Sharon nailed it.

From Harold Speed, "The Practice and Science of Drawing," look up page 71 where he talks about "dither" or the play that is necessary in a mechanical engine for it to work.

The piston must be allowed some play in the opening of the cylinder through which it passes, or it will not be able to move and show any life. The word "dither" will be a useful name to give that elusive quality, that play on mechanical accuracy, existing in all vital art. It is this vital quality that has not yet received much attention in art training. It is here that photography fails, it can only at best give mechanical accuracy, whereas art gives the impression of a live, individual consciousness.... It is the subtle differences in the individual renderings of nature that are the life-blood of art.

[Mike McCarty]

Mari,

Nice quote, I think I'll include that at the bottom of my contract in small print.

[Josef Sy]

Thank you everyone for the feedback and great advice.

The oil painting will be on the way. (From life.)

[Peter Jochems]

Hi Josef,

Beautiful drawing, beautiful girl, don't change the drawing (or girlfriend )

One comment, my feeling is that the drawing would perhaps have had a little more atmosphere and depth if you had suggested a little of her clothing/ body in the area where the signature is.

I wouldn't change this drawing, maybe something to consider in future projects.

Peter

[Elizabeth Schott]

Josef, great job! I can see why you want to move out of computer animation now!

She certainly looks beautiful! Wonder why?

[Josef Sy]

Thanks Peter and Beth. You are very kind. Animation was always second to Fine Arts.

[Leslie Bohoss]

Hi, Josef,

A beautiful drawing. I see you haven't any problems with value-massing I like your rendering work. Hair is fantastic. What says your girlfriend?

Best wishes,
Leslie

[Josef Sy]

Thanks Leslie. She is pretty happy. I think she cannot wait until I start on the oil painting.