I'm new here

[Steve Mills]

http://www.pencilartist.com/images/cttakeme.jpg

My name is Steve Mills. You can read about me in my profile or on my website, or you can just ask. :)

I want to thank Todd Junck for inviting me to this great forum, and I hope I can be a useful participant. I'm entirely self-taught, been doing this since I was 20 and I'm now 47. I make my living as a portrait photographer, everything else I do simply because I love to.

The drawing you see here, entitled Take It Easy, is of a young lady I met in 1994. She is one-quarter Korean but a natural blonde. What a combination. This is one of my personal favorites.


Anyway, hello. I'll be in the chair over here in the corner.

[Verdaccio]

I have seen your work before - very talented! Can you share a little about how you work - pencils, surfaces, etc. I have a friend, Monte Moore who does very realistic pencils too. Ever use something called Couquil paper? I love the stuff, but I can't seem to get it anymore. Don't stand there in that corner for long - get out here and participate! :D

Again welcome. :)

[toddjunck]

Dammit, am I the only one who cant see the image??

All I get is that stupid box with the X thingy:mad: :mad:

[Steve Mills]

Thank you, Michael.

I know I have much to learn from other artists. All of my formal training happened between Junior and High Schools. More inspiration than training, really.

My technique is to work from a full size photo, presently that's 16x20. I use a 1" grid for proportion, then abandon it while filling in detail. My favorite paper is a medium weight, light tooth Bienfang. I'm working exclusively with #2 pencils, any old out-of-the-box variety will do. I happen to have some Sanford American Naturals on hand. They do fine.


Realism is the only way I see, though I adapt and change as I see fit. I strive for a very blank background, with little or no props.

[Steve Mills]

Todd,

Are you still being blocked from my domain at work?

[toddjunck]

Yours is but one of many. :(

[Verdaccio]

Originally posted by pencilartist
I use a 1" grid for proportion, then abandon it while filling in detail.

I also use a grid system to get my form on the board. I do a complete rendering in charcoal as I am going to paint over it in oils - it helps me establish the proper values. The reason I brought up the Coquil (not sure how to spell it) is that it is somewhat textured with a pattern - this means that you can create realism with some additional surface interest - it's nice stuff. :)

[Steve Mills]

I think you are referring to Coquille paper, but I have to admit ignorance about it. The Bienfang surface (on this particular paper, #501) has a texture very much like denim, a diagonal pattern that adds a nice compliment to the image. I don't really want much texture, though.

[PJL]

Welcome to the Figure forum... I have seen some of your work on WC before (I think)... I really like it.

Glad to have you here........
I'm Pete
I'm and Aussie
I'm also 47
I currently (temporarily) live in Houston,TX
I am also self taught, but have only been at it for 3 years (I did study art in high school but that was sooooo long ago.) :)

The best thing to happen to my art this year was stumbling across this website.... Yeah to WC.

Join in,
Have fun
Love http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Jun-2001/LuvIt.gif your work!

[Steve Mills]

Hi, Pete.

I really like you work, at least what I saw in your thread "Number 8". Where can I see more? I don't believe my work has ever been shown here, at least not by me. Maybe Todd tooted my horn.

Allow me to confess here and now my fear of working with color. I once drew a work in pastel pencils and it drove me to distraction although the result was fairly good. I need really sharp pencils (even for shading) and my sharpener was too narrow for the fat gauge pastel pencils. I was having to use a knife to sharpen. :)

But a technique I don't take to naturally is blending. What you see in my works is as it was layed down, no smudging or blending. The pastels required the method in order for me to like what I was seeing.

[toddjunck]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by pencilartist
Maybe Todd tooted my horn.

I just posted a link to your web site and told them to take a look.

[Steve Mills]

:)

Thanks, Todd.


Here's my current work in progress, btw. Too bad you can't see it.

http://www.pencilartist.com/images/bw5.jpg

[toddjunck]

I must be snakebit!

I'll check up on you from home.

[MichaelRH]

I too visited your website,--(thanks Todd!!)..and enjoy your work very much. #2 pencils...they're pretty nice aren't they!!

Hope to catch you one night in the Cafe Guerbois!

Glad to see you here at Wetcanvas Steve!!

[ZOTMA]

nice realistic style. Great capturing of a beautiful expression.
Welcome to WC and I'll be looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[toddjunck]

Hey Steve,

Checked your new work in progress. Looks great!!!

Well it's late here..11:40...and I have about 850 miles to drive in the morning. Talk to you Monday the 9th, I think.

Todd

[klad2688]

Beautiful Work, I am new as well. Would be very interested in seeing your website, but i did not find a link.

[Steve Mills]

Hi, klad2688.

There is a link in the buttons under this message, but I also include it in my signature.

[TeAnne]

Hi Steve, welcome to wc. I too checked out your site the other day, very inspirational work. Beaut too :D
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Jun-2001/flash.gif