A reluctant model!

Patricia Joyce · 12-05-2003, 11:30 AM

I have completed a few studies of my friend, Jack, however, by necessity, he is sleeping in all of them (a reluctant model!). I did egg a couple photos out of him this past weekend. There he was sitting in front of the picture window, at my son's house. I can't look at a face anymore without thinking about drawing it, so I grabbed my handy dandy digital and snapped a couple. Not the perfect ref pic because his jacket is in the way, but maybe I can get him to "do it again" without the jacket.

If this drawing works I may give it to his mom for Christmas - no pressure there! Not as long as I keep this to myself! Any comments along the way would be greatly appreciated.

Patricia Joyce · 12-05-2003, 11:36 AM

Here's the reference picture - suggestions? Tips? Help?! I'll admit his eyes are a little scary here, I told you he is reluctant! So I softened them a bit, more like the kind eyes I'm used to. Think subltle changes in expression can be accomplished if he sits for me at least once.

Terri Ficenec · 12-06-2003, 02:31 AM

Hi Pat!

Well, you've got a nice start on him -- the likeness is quite good, already. It looks like you may have altered the angle of his head, it's more dynamic/tipped back in the photo.

By the way, I kind of like those scary eyes - his expression made me laugh. Does this reflect his personality (is he a funny guy?), or just his reluctance to 'pose'? The softening you've done to his eyes so far retains the look of his face, but I'm just wondering if the expression in the photo reflects his personality maybe you'd want to keep it?

Looking forward to seeing this progress!
Terri

Patricia Joyce · 12-08-2003, 12:29 PM

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the input. You are right about the angle and I need to think about that dynamic. I'm glad you laughed at his "deer caught in the headlights" gaze. Unfortunately he doesn't like it. And yes, you are right, he has a great sense of humor, you have to, to be a special ed teacher in a Cleveland city high school!

I will post my progress though I have to set this one aside and finish a small commission this week. Deadlines, they work so well for me!

Have a nice Monday!

Steven Sweeney · 12-09-2003, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Deadlines, they work so well for me!

"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." (Douglas Adams)

Patricia Joyce · 12-17-2003, 12:55 PM

I saved that quote, Steven, to my favorites file!! It made me laugh. Funny, this is the portrait I want to get back to and don't have the time. Maybe I will discover that allowing the beginning study to simmer in my mind will result in a better drawing - one can only hope. Frustration mounting with "Charlie"...