The Mysterious Alice

Isabel Chiang · 05-25-2005, 10:21 AM

The softest pencil I used was 0.5 3B mechanical pencil while the hardest I used was 0.5 2H. However I did use a bit of 3h and 4h leads on her white sweater.

Usually I used 2b and 3b for almost everything but this drawing was a special case due to the detail and the color of her sweater.

Lisa Ober · 05-25-2005, 10:26 AM

Forgive me for asking so many questions, but do you blend?

By the way, thank you for posting the progress shots. Amazing. I am really learning something!

Isabel Chiang · 05-25-2005, 10:30 AM

I've tried many paper, I think Arches Hotpress 300gsm (140lb) watercolor paper suits my style best. There's no perfect paper, some people prefer bristol smooth or illustration board, other prefer other brands of watercolor paper. It's just a matter of taste.

To achieve darkness, I layered 2b or 3b a few times, depending on the value required. Sometimes I blend with a paper stump sometimes I don't depending on the texture. I mainly just blended her face and her hand here. Some people prefer other blending tools such as tissue paper, q tips, fingers, paint brush, etc. None of them works for me except paper stumps. Also, I don't use eraser much because Hotpress watercolor paper is made of 100% cotton, the surface can be easily damaged. So it is important to avoid rubbing too hard/much.

Isabel Chiang · 05-25-2005, 10:35 AM

A few more progress photos....

Oops, Lisa we're posting at the same time. Hope I answered your questions?

Lisa Ober · 05-25-2005, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isabel Chiang

Hope I answered your questions?

Yes, Isabel. Thank you so much for the information. I am awed by your work as well as your patience. I look forward to seeing more.