Like Leslie, I just finished Cindy's Portraiture class. These are my before and after portraits. we've come a long way thanks to Cindy's guidance. Vutte and Sonia, good to see you both.! Wasn't sure if you were currently taking anything. Looking forward to perspective.

Just amazing! Well done Barbz

Lovely work Barb! Did you believe that you'd ever get such realistic detail with charcoal? I sure didn't, but now I'm a fan!! Good luck with Perspective. I'm taking a little break and hope to enroll in Cindy's September perspective class.

Oops! Think I shouldn't have posted my portrait here. Sorry if I messed things up. : ) Thanks Steve for your comment. (Love your quote - my husband is a Hitchhiker fan and some of it carries over to me.) Leslie, didn't realize you would not be in this perspective class. Will miss you and your beautiful work! Stay in touch.

Barb, your portrait is very beautiful -- great job! I hope that i catch up with you in another of Cindy's classes. I'm taking a break to pack up my apt and oversee some renovation work, but will be back in her next perspective class in September. I miss it already, but will squeeze in some practice along the way.

Hi Barbz your self portrait is really beautiful congratulations. I have just joined the perspective class also. I have been following along behind you all on-line but invisible, but have finally been able to go in the virtual classroom. I'm so excited but too embarassed to post my before portrait but will post my recent charcoal portrait as soon as it's finished. Would love to hear your opinion. Thanks Ral.

Thank you Ral! Appreciate your comment. Are you in the class that started 8-21-2009? Please don't be afraid to post your portraits. You will receive only encouragement for everyone here. We're all still learning - just like you. But I can understand and appreciate how difficult it is to share your work with others. Baby steps - do what you're comfortable with and I'll be looking forward to seeing you portrait.

Dear Barb! So great to "see" you again, and your portrait is STUNNING!!! Congratulations for your great achievements, dear friend!! I am currently taking the portraiture unit, but this time I am very late with my submissions thanks to my "real world" duties!

A big hug to you,
Sonia.

Well, that's really impressive progress! My congratulations to you, Barb, for making big strides, and also to Cindy who obviously teaches very well !


Dave

WOW! That's amazing!

I only hope I can do as well!

I'm sure it will be as beautiful as you are. Keep learning - I think you work is incredible!

Thanks Nuffy and Dave! Appreciate your kind words. And yes Dave - Cindy has an extraordinary gift for teaching. I don't know of anyone who hasn't been filled with a renewed sense of joy and excitement for art after receiving her guidance. : )

Barbz, your portrait is really well done! You should be very proud! Charcoal was easier to work with than I thought it would be...good description, very forgiving!

Hey Barbz!This is absolutely stunning!!!
Miss being in class with u all.I am trying to catch up on the portraiture unit.

Hi everybody!

I just had to come in here and post my portrait - I am SO pleased with the rapid progress I've made working with Cindy for just a few months. It's fun showing my art school graduate co-workers who STILL can't draw well how much you can learn in a short time with a talented teacher!

-amy

Your portrait is beautiful, Amy...fabulous work...I'm so impressed! I'm taking Cindy's Drawing and Shading class right now, and I can not wait to get to the Portrait class.

Amy... congratulations, you have done a fabulous job on your portrait! Did you enjoy working with charcoal?

Hi everybody!

Actually, Tannis - it was SHEER TORTURE for the first several times I tried, but mostly because I was completely petrified. I threw away several early attempts, and sadly, had to take a vacation day from work because I found the entire thing so overwhelming.

But the weirdest thing is...once I got going, I realized that I might actually like charcoal better than graphite, which I previously preferred mostly because I felt I could control it better (I am NOT the neatest person in the world to begin with, and I just felt like anything I drew would end up a giant smudge). Somehow, I got into a groove and did the better part of it in a three hour stretch on the day I stayed home, after spending the morning and most of the afternoon avoiding it!

Also, I was trying to figure out why I didn't have such nice, sharp lines and definition as Barb - and Cindy pointed out that I'd used the rough side of the paper! Duh. Fear is a heck of a thing.

I really did start to enjoy it once I got going. I wish everyone would put theirs up - now that I'm a class behind everyone I started with I'm a bit out of touch!

Fantastic work, Amy! I'm beginning to think that the struggle is part of the creative process - it's certainly worked for you .

Hi Amy, I know what you mean, I am not necessarily a neat person either and I was not sure that I'd have control of my lines with charcoal, but once I got going I totally loved it! And charcoal is much faster than pencil to shade with! I have been playing with soft pastels lately..and I love them, you can blend so easily and be quite expressive! Adding color adds a whole new dimension! lots to learn! I have completed all of the units except for the last one, I'll be taking the final unit starting Nov 27th... and I think that more color theory will be involved while creating an Original painting! I can hardly wait!

Hi everyone

Finally, I can join this thread

I post my portraits, before and after

It's really fantastic to be in the course

Hi Amy! Your portrait is just wonderful! It is so dramatic and expressive. Your eyes are incredible and I love the loose, casual look of your hair. You should be very pleased with what you have accomplished!

Hi Rumiko! I really love your portrait. It looks very natural and not overstated. Very subtle, very nice. Great work! Congratulations on completing this exercise - it was a tough one!

Hi Rumiko! Your portrait is fabulous! Did you enjoy doing it, or struggle?

Tannis, I am a little bit terrified of adding color. Actually, I guess I'm just a little bit terrified by the whole thing, now that I think about it...

Barbz, my hair really IS as crazy as that! At the time, it was also dyed pink. I just changed it to Cheez Puff orange last week.

Hi Tannis - it sounds like you have so many ways of expressing yourself through art and so many different mediums to use. What a wonderful journey you are having! I can certainly understand your excitement about doing the final unit of Cindy's course. Beginning my studies with her was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I really look forward to seeing your future creations.

Wow! Wow! WOW!!! Your portrait is beautiful Rumiko - you must be so proud of yourself. I can really feel your excitement. Keep up the great work!