Charcoal Portrait

Mischa Milosevic · 10-01-2006, 08:39 PM

Dear friends, I think I will call this portrait finished. 30cm x 40cm charcoal on Roma, Fabriano paper.

This portrait is of a friends daughter (we go to the same church) but the family does not know that I am doing it. I started it for personal reasons, in preparation for my next exhibition. I'm not sure what I will say if they ask to buy it?

Sorry, I did not keep track of time I spent on this. It did take quite a few hours.
As for the process I use the Bargue method, draw it out with soft sharp charcoal, using comparative measurements, always striving for 100% accuracy.

Alexandra Tyng · 10-01-2006, 10:40 PM

Mischa,

This is breathtaking! She lifts off the paper in the most amazing way, starting with the lower part of the paper, you've gradually increased the three-dimensional illusion until the head seems convincingly real and rounded. That, along with your mastery of texture and value, is what I call total control. Yet you avoid the sterile effect of pure rendering and add that "something more" to make her come alive.

Mischa Milosevic · 10-02-2006, 04:20 AM

Thank you so much Alex! I derived so much from this portrait in many respects. One way to describe my feeling while in process, is the feeling of piking up a book, a 1000 page book, and not being able to put it down. When ever sleep would get the better of me, I would leave my work area with the feeling of anticipation, that I will come back with a fresh eye. I'm sure many of you have had these bursts of artistic bliss.

Thank you again.

Claudemir Bonfim · 10-02-2006, 08:33 AM

Great job over again!

John Crowther · 10-02-2006, 02:59 PM

Spectacular! -- John C.

Julie Deane · 10-02-2006, 03:34 PM

A wonderfully masterful drawing. It definitely has that something more!

Olena Babak · 10-02-2006, 05:46 PM

Mischa,

It

Mischa Milosevic · 10-02-2006, 06:13 PM

Thank you Claudemir. The more I work the more I learn.

John, after each completed project, I've come to realize that there is more to learn. That thought, in it self, is like you say "spectacular" in my minds eye.
Thank you for the compliment.

Julie, I thought I saw something before I started and thought to strive for it. Thank you for noticing that something and letting me know that I'm there.

Olena, thank you and keep up the good work. I visited your web page and I can honestly say that art is what you should strive for.

We, as artists, are a strange bunch but its fun when you know you are not alone.

Paul Foxton · 10-02-2006, 06:38 PM

Mischa, that's an inspiring piece of work, and a very touching subject. I have a funny feeling the parents are going to want that drawing VERY badly!

I have to say, the control you have with charcoal just amazes me. Now where's my Bargue book...

Mischa Milosevic · 10-02-2006, 07:14 PM

Paul, I debated weather to post this or not but remembering the interest of some in regard to the Bargue method led me to post. Even though the Bargue book seems self explanatory it is not. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a excellent book but there is so much that is missing, like Bargue and the little hints how to.

I'm glad that I was able to given you something.

Wish you the best and keep up the good work. By the way I like your self portrait.