Charcoal with fabric

Mike McCarty · 01-30-2005, 05:59 PM

This is something I've never done before. I took my model onto the patio and pinned her to the fence so she wouldn't blow away. I set up my drawing paper (canson 80 lb. 24x18) on my easel a few feet away and started in.

By the way my model was an 8x10 photo. In the past I have always taken the time to measure this and double measure that. I thought I'd try and wing it for a change, out with the squirrels and the birds.

David Draime · 01-30-2005, 09:35 PM

I absolutely LOVE the feel of this. The drawing of the cloth around the face is incredibly rich, dynamic - the broad strokes, the edges - the edges are great!!! The only thing that strikes me as maybe questionable is the overall lightness of the face as a whole. At first I thought it might be lighter than the background. I had to take it into Photoshop to see - with the color picker - if it was any lighter than the background - it wasn't - if you used any white highlights (you didn't, did you?

). I was surprised at the strength of the optical illusion. At any rate, I wonder what would be the effect of pushing the values in the face just a little darker (I just had deja vu...) .... Anyway, just wondering "out loud." Also, there seem to be discreet lines, uninterrupted, around the lips. I would expect some part of the lips to merge (no line) with the surrounding skin tones. Other than that - Bravo! This kind of dynamic drawing is more of what I'm after.

What kind of charcoal did you use? Did you use an eraser?

I think you should go out more often to draw with the birds and bees. (...er, birds and squirrels. Sorry.)

David

Mike McCarty · 01-30-2005, 10:23 PM

David,

That's a very generous review, thank you. I used only soft vine charcoal, no white. Two sticks - one about a quarter inch round and one about a half inch round. I also used a kneaded eraser pretty extensively (when I returned from break the squirrels had drawn nuts in her cheeks).

About the lips -- I agree that on our lower left she could use some adjustment, the line is too distinct and could merge with her cheek at that point.

As far as the lightness of the face -- I was using a color photograph as my reference and I guess it was just my judgment. It was something that I thought about. There is a slight toning all across the face, except for a few wiped out highlights on her right cheek, the side of her nose, and above her right eye. I think that the face could easily go a little darker as you suggest. It would have allowed for a greater opportunity for highlights.

Mike McCarty · 01-31-2005, 02:53 PM

I made an adjustment to her lower lip and I think it looks much better.

Thanks David.