Veronica

Jimmie Arroyo · 09-03-2003, 12:34 AM

Hi, finished this recently, and it's a bit different than what I normally do. It's 11x17, graphite with white highlight on light gray Stonehendge. Comments or critiques appreciated. Thank you.

Jeff Fuchs · 09-03-2003, 08:12 AM

Jimmy, you are da man!

I always look forward to your posts. I am trying to follow the same path that you are on - drawing, drawing, drawing - avoiding paint until after mastering the basics. I've seen in your previous posts that you have different reasons for not painting (no time), but the results are that you're mastering your craft.

This is a very sensitive piece. Beautifully drawn. Keep em coming.

Jimmie Arroyo · 09-03-2003, 08:44 PM

Jeff, thank you very much. Your comments are very appreciated. Time wise, I'm still drawing till 3am, but I might find a couple hours here and there, now that my daughter's starting school. I'd like to post more, but I also do nudes which are not allowed here, so that's why I've been gone for a while. Take care and thanks again.

Jeff Fuchs · 09-04-2003, 05:52 PM

It seems to be generally understood that nudes aren't posted here, but on the main forum page it says:

Quote:

Portrait Critiques - Moderators: Steven Sweeney & Linda Brandon
Comments could come from beginners or pros. NO ANIMALS-ONLY PORTRAITS OR NUDES and please don't post your whole portfolio since there are a limited number of qualified members to critique.

So why are nudes taboo? For some reason, the forums for working from life do not allow nudes, but this one supposedly does.

If you are still reluctant to post them (or if I'm wrong) why not put them on the web, and link here? I think that would be kosher.

Michele Rushworth · 09-04-2003, 07:21 PM

Moderator's Note: Nudes are not allowed on any section of the Forum. The SOG Forum owner, Cynthia Daniel, decided she didn't want to have to draw the line between what was appropriate and what was inappropriate, so she simply decided that there would be no nudes posted at all.

Jeff Fuchs · 09-04-2003, 08:03 PM

I knew I'd get a response if nudes weren't allowed. Thanks, Michele.

Cynthia Daniel · 09-05-2003, 02:50 PM

It's a matter of where you put the emphasis, Jeff. "Animals-only" means portraits with only an animal. Perhaps I should change it to say "no animal portraits and no nudes."

Jeff Fuchs · 09-05-2003, 03:09 PM

Sorry, Cynthia. The wording of the instructions sounded like nudes were allowed in this section. Since everyone was refraining from posting them (myself included), the discussion is purely academic. If I'd had a nude to post, I would have asked you first.

Doesn't anyone have anything to say about Jimmie's drawing?

John Zeissig · 09-06-2003, 02:25 PM

Jimmy,

This is a stunning drawing! This is a critique section, so let me get my gripe out of the way first. I think the hair on her left side, where it curls on top of her shoulder, could use a little darkening inside the curl and toward the outer edge. This would emphasize that these areas are receding from the light source.

Having said that, there are a number of remarkable things about this drawing. For me, it has tremendous emotional impact, partly due to the way you

Jimmie Arroyo · 09-14-2003, 03:02 AM

Thank you John, and another big thanks to Jeff. I went back and checked the curl and what it was, is the shine left by the graphite reflecting from the overhead light. I took the pic with an Ott-light mounted to the easel, so most of the light is near the top of the pic.

Again, the face is also not that bright but the highlights under the eyes were intentional.

The gradation just happened, wasn't planning on it. It was first drawn with her alone, but while on vacation, I saw a picture on the hotel wall with a painted border and thought the idea was pretty cool. I happened to take 'Veronica' with me on vacation, and thought it would look good. (Did not interfere with vacation, worked on it 12am-3am) It also reminded me of Klimt's borders, who happens to be my favorite artist. My cousin Veronica had wanted a picture of herself catching roses, so she posed for some pictures, and this happened to be one where she wasn't 'posing' and I thought it looked great. Figured adding roses to the background would still keep her happy. The gradient background came as a "I gotta do something back here" situation. She has'nt seen it yet, still have to take slides for a blowup, hope she'll like it.

If you'd like to see my other drawings, you can go here. Thanks again.