These are my friend's kids. I was pretty pleased with the way the girl turned out, but the boy was a disaster. His nose is still not right, and drawing his mouth with all those teeth is obviously pretty challenging for me. The girl's dress is supposed to have lace, but I couldn't figure a way to draw it nicely. The finished picture is only 5x7", so it doesn't leave a lot of space for detailed lace; although I did manage to put some on her hat. I'm satisfied enough to let it go, unless anyone has good advice for making it better. Thanks!

You got the composition down nicely and I also like the boys clothing. When drawing teeth I find its better not to actually draw each one. I tend to just indicate teeth by using the negative space such as parts of the gums and inner mouth

This is a wonderful job, especially for a first attempt!

A double portrait on 5x7" support is a feat that most portraitists would not dare to attempt, by the way. A double portrait is hard even at 9x12. The smaller a drawing is, the harder it is to capture a likeness.

I too think you've done a great job for a 1st attempt.

The comment's you've received so far are good to bear in mind for the future. Small images are hard to get detail into and on the other hand, too much detail can detract, such as in the teeth. Less is always more.

My comment would be the lack of values in this piece. You could really sculpt the faces, arms and clothing to bring this to life with a range of values. Your middle tones are missing here. Lace is like drawing anything else, but time consuming to draw, as you've likely found out.

How long did it take you to do this and what paper?

Thank you Lance for the kind words and advice.

Ernest, I laughed when I read your reply, because you're so right about the sizing issue. I was thinking the entire time I drew this how difficult it was trying to jam all that detail into such a small area... Next time I'll do it properly. Let's just call this one a sketch with aspirations of being a portrait...

It took several hours, over a span of two days. Maybe 5? I have a baby who does not like to be ignored, so most of the work was done a few minutes here and there. I used a heavyweight sketch book page. Thanks for the advice.

Melinda,

I agree great 1st attempt at a portrait and soooo brave going so small.

I whole-heartedly agree with the teeth comments - just a suggestion of the negative space (very lightly and not every tooth) - his mouth looks too wide in your drawing & I am not sure if its all the defined teeth creating the illusion or if it is a little too wide.

With the lace you can just suggest it with the odd detail and the suggestion of it in the rest of the dress - just some changes in tone placed in the right way will suggest the lace without the tears.

The other thing I would think about are the shadow lines on the girl's face. She looks older than she is (sooo hard to make kids look the right age) but the shadows under the eyes and at the side of the mouth are suggestive of lines and I think are what are aging her. Its worth a try to smooth them out or almost eliminate them.

Just my opinion - but it is a wonderful job and all done with a baby in one hand & a pencil in the other ..... you Champion!!!

Thank you, these are great suggestions. I wasn't trying to be brave, it's just that I've always worked out of my sketchbook. One day my friend was showing me photos of her kids, and I decided it was time for something more challenging than hands and beginner's stuff. It really wasn't that bad working so small, except for the strained eyes and aching neck...
I've decided I'll keep working on it a few more days, fixing the things you mentioned, trying to draw in some lace, shading issues, and fixing his mouth. I also want them to look directly at me. Haha so I'll stay occupied for a while, and post the finished product in the "gallery" thread, where I should have to begin with (such a newbie...) Thank you soooo much for your support and opinions! One day I can only hope to be as talented as most of you are here.

This website and all the members have been a great inspiration to me, a military wife and mother of two.