Stef

Isabel Chiang · 06-11-2005, 01:37 AM

My school final exam's coming up in 2 weeks time, have to study more now. But I won't let exam stops me from drawing altogether. I came up with a new solution this time. During the day, I'll study at my college library till 8-10 pm, then, I'll come home to draw for 2-3 hrs at night. I also brought a sketch book to the library , so that I can sketch something whenever I feel too bored to study.

Here's a drawing I started at school and finished at home yesterday. This is a lot looser and smaller than my other work, only took me a couple of hours as opposed to 50-100 hrs I usually spend on a life size graphite portrait. I enjoy both styles nonetheless.

Stef is an Australian-Italian, one of my classmates from College. We did a marketing research project together last month. This is a study for my up coming Pastel painting (it'll be my first pastel portrait, I'm so scared), I'll be doing a few more sketches of the same model in the next couple of days. Thanks for looking!

2B graphite and Cretacolor Nero Pencils on slightly grey toned stonehenge paper.

Approx. 11" X 14"

Mary Sparrow · 06-11-2005, 07:17 AM

Beautiful work Isabel!

Isabel Chiang · 06-11-2005, 07:36 AM

Thank you very much, Mary!!! I'm glad you like it.

Jimmie Arroyo · 06-11-2005, 07:11 PM

Fantastic work!

It's great to see you try different styles and your willingness to do so at an early stage in life. I was very stern about doing detailed, more photo-realistic work for many years after college, and would'nt allow myself the freedom of working loose. Keep your mind open, don't stop working, and I believe you'll reach a level of maturity in your work well beyond your years.

If you ever decide to take time off from your art, PM me and I'll nag you and scare you with my own regrets to keep you working!!!

Carol Norton · 06-11-2005, 09:05 PM

All I can say is , "OH, WOW, ISABEL. BEAUTIFUL." THIS MAKES ME WANT TO DRAW WITH GRAPHITE! Thank you for posting.
Carol Norton

Marcus Lim · 06-12-2005, 06:49 AM

I certainly like the life it exudes, with your looser lines now. You've definitely taken the next step up for yourself!

Isabel Chiang · 06-12-2005, 10:01 AM

Thank you Jimmie, Marcus and Carol!

Jimmie, Thank you for your kind words. I'm a huge fan of yours. Although I didn't comment a lot , everytime I look at your work, I'm in awe. The energy and life in your drawings are just amazing! It's so refreshing to see them. Let's say, you're my inspiration for this type of looser style, so Thank you! Have to say I really enjoy working on this one and will be experimenting with this style a lot more in the future. That said, it doesn't mean I'm giving up " tight realism", I hate to use the word "photorealism" because photorealism itself doesn't interest me in the least, my real goal is to go beyond the surface, capturing the soul, the spirit, the life and emotion that others fail to see, cameras fail to capture. In my opinion, tight portraits are like novels, this type of drawings are poems.They convey different things, even contradictory at some point. Both fascinating but different. While tight portraits are intense and haunting, this type of work gives a sense of life and freedom. There's no pressure, very relaxing. I truly enjoy both styles immensely. Perhaps in the future I might experiment some more and find a way to combine both styles in a drawing. In the meantime, I'll just draw, draw, draw and draw some more....

PS, I did take a 4 year break from art because of my study, only picked it up again in late 2003. I can't tell you how much I regret it. Nothing can make me abandon art now, not even my parents, my future job (if it's not art related) or my future husband. This is the true love of my life. lol

Rob Sullivan · 06-12-2005, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isabel Chiang

In my opinion, tight portraits are like novels, these types of drawings are poems.

I love the drawing, and I love this allegory.

Keep up the art, Isabel! I can't imagine us losing you to an accounting firm! I find your art far more gratifying than columns of numbers.

Michele Rushworth · 06-12-2005, 09:13 PM

Gorgeous! I can't believe it only took you a couple of hours.

I also loved your comparison of loose drawings to poetry, as opposed to novels.

Isabel Chiang · 06-13-2005, 12:15 PM

Thank you Rob and Michele!

Well, artists are story tellers, aren't we? I consider myself a novelist who loves to write poems from time to time. I just admire poets!!!!