It's been a long time since I have been around here and I have to say I have missed the friendliness of all the wonderful artists here. This is where I'm at after about a weeks worth of work on a portrait of my daughter, Danielle. This is from a photo taken by my daughter, Rachelle Hinkley.

I kind of jump around a wee bit...not a very logical approach I must admit but it works for me. This is at about the half way stage...still have a long way to go...

Thanks for looking,

Laura

P.S. All comments are welcome!

Hi Laura, A great image of your daughter, full of fun... your drawing so far is excellent and I'm looking forward to seeing it finished.

Amazing as usual.. I too, am looking forward to the finish.. I always did love your art. You always gave me great advice and I am finally..... almost.... not afraid of the dark.

Paul,
Thanks and I'm looking forward to finishing this too...hehehe...sometimes my patience isn't what it should be....

Cyn,
I've missed you too, sweety. I'm glad I was able to be some small help to you...if you still need a night light I've got one...hehehehe
Seriously though, I've found that a good clear high contrast reference photo helps...if your ref. pic. doesn't have a wide range of values there are alot of programs that you can use to boost the contrast...it makes a world of difference.

Thanks for looking,
Laura

What a great picture!
I'll be watching.

This is such a fun piece, great drawing!

Paulette,
Thank you, sweety! Should have an update later today!

Jeanette,
Thank you, kind lady! She keeps me smiling the entire time I'm drawing...just to silly!

Thanks for looking,
Laura

Loving it! Wonderfully subtle treatment of an in-your-face subject!

"In your face" your a funny man Ernest...hehehehe Thank you!

Laura

Always love seeing your work Laura. This looks outstanding so far

I love everything about this drawing ...the pose is perfect ...I love anything different and your detail is just perfect ...I love the eyes the way you have the wet look and the freckles ...cant say enough about this .

kev2grey,
Thank you!!!
Kim,
Nope not perfect...yet...hehehehe...I've never done a perfect piece and probably never will...but I can dream:)

Another update....

Still have sooooo far to go I have lost track of how many layers of graphite have been layed down...LOTS!!!

Thanks for looking and commenting,

Laura

Hi Laura!
You are doing a beautiful job! I have a question for you since I am trying to work on a realistic portrait myself. I don't have much experience with graphite and I was wondering how you apply the very light and smooth values of the face and hands. Are you using powdered graphite and applying it with some tool, like a brush, qtip or some other applicator??
Thanks in advance!
Doug

Doug,
I'm still learning myself so I keep trying different things, but so fall all I have done is lay the graphite down and blend with a stomp or tissue...I started out with a light layer of H and built up from there...mainly using 2B mech pencil also 3B 5B and 8B wood pencil...lots of blending...I've lost track of how many layers of graphite I have laid down every time you blend you have to add more graphite...blending works the graphite into the tooth of the paper, but you have to be gentle with it so that you don't damage the tooth of the paper. Very time consuming...I'ld say I ahve put about 25 hrs into this so far.
I'm working on a tutorial for this piece as I go along...just so I can figure out how I work...hahahaha...

Thanks for you kind comment,
Laura

Laura, what size is this and what type of paper are you using?

Thanks Laura!
I am trying my first detailed drawing on a piece of hot press illustration board. Not much tooth and very hard so I am not sure how it will work out.. I look forward to seeing your drawing progress, it is inspiring me to think about working on mine!

Love your work!!! Hope to be there one day

Jeanette,

Sorry I thought I posted that, but I guess I didn't...ooops...This is 11 x 14 Strathmore Bristol Smooth 300lbs series.

Airscapes,

Let me know how that works for you...I know hot press takes ink well not sure how it will do with pencil. If you have trouble with darks you can spray the area with a workable fixative and go over it again...or so I've heard. haven't tried that myself so you may want to try that technique on a scrap before applying to your drawing.

Kar,
Thanks and from the look of your avatar you will be sooner than you think.

Laura

Laura - your WIP is gorgeous! You have done a beautiful job so far. I'l be watching this thread to see the finished project.

Love your drawing, am looking forward to the finished work!

tonicangel and patsy f,
Thanks! Still have a ways to go! Grab a seat and get comfy!

Absolutely fascinating portrait !

I'ld say I have put about 25 hrs ...
...just so ...hahahaha...

OMG!

Looking fantastic!
I ahve to rave on that hand, it looks just right, which is not an easy thing!

Wow, this is so good. I can't wait to see the finished result.

Every time I look at this I get more impressed with it .

pick that pencil back up hun .. I cant wait to see the end result ...she is adorable and you are mastering this drawing

Kim,

Bare with me everybody...I quit smoking Sunday and even with the patch I feel like kicking something or one...have to keep busy and I tend to smoke a lot while I draw...so just trying to maintain....hopefully will have an update tomorrow for you all!!!

Big hugs to everybody and cross you eyes for me...hehehehe
Laura

Um... think you should have finished this before you quit smoking!

Good luck with everything and don't mess with your drawing if you are feeling the slightest bit frustrated or explosive..~

I'm afraid It may combust unless the kids are out of the house or in bed....just trying to keep busy...I promise there will be an update...I just have to learn to draw without lighting up...I'm having a 15 minute day so to speak...I'll do something until I feel that urge and then I have to go do something else. I just have to work my drawing into that schedule and change it up now and again...


Laura

Kay (oliverandjazz) just quit, too -- do you know her?

Ernest,

No, I don't believe I've had the pleasure...I'll Have to introduce myself when I feel a wee bit more my normal self...hehehehe

Laura

Same problem here. I also have to quit smoking and recognise how you feel. It's bad, and that's an understatement.

..the pic is really great..I am still at it too..I have not completely quit yet, but still none in the house which is getting easier, I still smoke in my car, cant smoke in hubbys, and I have to say I snuck out last nite for one about 11:30..I have smoked roughly 6 or 7 the whole week as opposed to my pack to a pack and a half a day..but it is hard, however with the good weather upon us it makes it easier just keep on keeping on..I hope I can quit completely too but the cut back has been a big noticeable difference

Well I say ..laura your health is first ..I have quit years ago so I know it is hard to do ..and cold turkey is almost impossible ...I wish you luck and remember if you have one it does not mean you failed ..just work on spreading them out like Kay has .

By the way Kay awsome job on that ..I mean 6-7 compared to a pack or more a day ...WOW you have to be feeling a difference .

Bless you all!!! I'm wearing a patch so it cuts back on my crankyness....but boy I still want one...the first day I was a total b*tch...yesterday it was a wee bit easier...today feels like yesterday...But I haven't caved yet...this is the longest I have ever gone willingly...5 days in a hospital doesn't count...lit up as soon as I was in the car!!!

Kay,
It's a pleasure!!! Cutting back may not be quiting entirely, but it's a heck of an improvement in my book!!! Keep going you'll get there!!!

Cees,
Are you quiting or gearing up for the big day?

Thanks for the support you guys!

Laura

P.S. Back to work on Nemo should have an update before I have to go to work!!! Making corrections to the unfinished hand...have to before I can continue on!

Well, I am gearing up for the big day, but until now found a reason to postpone it by another day. Tomorrow is our national holiday (Queens day) so another reason again. Than the weekend?

Because I picked up my job again after a heart surgery I am not allowed to smoke during office hours, and slowly decrease the total from 2 packages a day to just 1. But, daily hours in traffic jam without a cigarette ......

By the end of May I have to report back to my cardiologist and by than I will have to tell him I finally quit or find "something" to tell why I could not quit. Any suggestions for me?

Oh Cees the hardest part of quitting for me was when I was in the car. You stop at the light and look around and see people smoking, try to find a subsitute. The best I found were Certs breath mints, enough flavor and lasted long enough to get past the urge. I even dreamed I was smoking for a full year after I quit. I would wake up wondering where I put the cigarette. Its the hardest thing you can do but the most rewarding. My parents were non-smokers but all four of us kids had to get hooked. My youngest brother is now terminal with cancer.

Click to view attachmentSmall update....and I'm going back to bed...worked til 2am got to bed about 2:45am back up at 6:15am with the girls...pretty whooped

I had to adjust her hand a wee bit before I could continue....started on her fingers...I see I still need to adjust her wrist abit before I continue on....

I will work more on this later when I'm awake...nighty night

Laura

Still doing good day 5!

Sorry had to resize my attachment

Wow! Just wow!! It's drawings like that that inspire people to draw.

laura that is really coming out sweet..what a drawing..!

I love the hands and eyes and the freckles .. I love the whole thing lol

I didn't want to take up extra space at the forum so I thought I would just share this with you all here...

I rescently entered my first local art exhibit. The Steubenville Art Association holds their annual Spring Exhibit inviting local artist to enter their work into a juried show. I entered 2 pieces, "Nikomis and Karen" and "Girl in Water". "Girl in Water"received a Merit Award very unexpected. The opening day was Sunday. It was a very enjoyable day of art appreciation with my family!

I would recommend putting yourself out there and entering your own local exhibits...It's a great way to meet local artists and experience art in your community!

Laura

That is awsome Laura ! Venus placed in a show near her also . very exciting .

Kim that is awsome!!!! Did she post it here would love to see!!!


Ok everybody a wee update...darkened all over because the hand I'm working on has alot of darker values and I needed to balance things out...

Thanks for looking,
Laura

Wow, Laura. I get up every morning to check this forum and see any new updates from you. This is just spectacular. I swear it looks like a photo. I have really enjoyed watching your WIP. Thank you for posting this..

Congratulations Laura!

Your drawing is looking excellent!

Sorry gang...falling asleep at the keyboard...Wed is my late night...Cyn and Paulette thank you!

here's another wee update still working all over adjusting and continuing on the hand as well................

Thanks for looking,
Laura

Laura your portrait is coming along beautifuly .. I love it .. it does look like a B&W Photo.

Venus I am not sure if she posted hers or not .. I talk to her once in awahile and tell her how she is missed .. but she has alot of kids lol and I KNOW she gets busy lol .

Thank you, Kim...coming into the home stretch...still not done though. I've been a wee bit busy this week...I'll try to peek in over the weekend but I probably won't be back until monday...oops sorry wrong size.

Thanks for looking,
Laura

Been lurking, I had to comment on the background. I love the whole portrait, but backgrounds are tough, for me anyway, and you nailed it. Great work.

Kim