graphite portrait

[MSAndie]

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Sat in my room this weekend and drew this:
<IMG SRC="http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/26-Feb-2001/selfgirl1sm.jpg" border=0>

I like how it turned out, but a few things that aren't quite right when comparing it to the picture i drew it from...:
<IMG SRC="http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/26-Feb-2001/selfgirl1a.jpg" border=0>

Are there any other graphite portrait artists who might be able to give me some tips..??

I've only recently tried photorealism and portraiture, and while i've liked most the resulting drawings, i've yet to have one that really resembled the person in the picture i drew it from.

Thanks in advance! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif
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[Gary B]

One of my favorite quotes...

"An artist doesn't paint an object...an artist paints (or draws) the light reflected from that object" Leonardo, I believe.

Basic construction and light source. Study these and all will become clear.

Great beginning, though.

Gary

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It's just a matter of time.

[bruin70]

if you turn both upside down, you will see all your mistakes because you'll look at you piece abstractly. the eye makes assumptions when dealing with things it "understands". that's why looking at it abstractly works....{<FONT COLOR="red">M</FONT c>}

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"it's alright to be judgmental,,,,,,,,if you have taste"...MILT

[Gary B]

Taylia...

I just realized my previous post doesn't really help much, so...
<IMG SRC="http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-Feb-2001/ConstructionSketch.jpg" border=0>
Get a good basic drawing book. These basic construction tricks are important as the eye does fool you as bruin said. Get the basic construction drawn fast so you know where you're going. After a time, as your eye develops, you'll be abreviating some lines and not need some at all.

I don't want to be an art teacher, but these things are important so that you don't get discouraged. Drawing is the basis of all visual art.

Likenesses are easy, just intimidating. Practice, and don't worry about it. It'll come.

Hope this helps

Gary

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It's just a matter of time.

[This message has been edited by Gary B (edited February 27, 2001).]

[jioRji]

I think that her face is off. The girl in the picture has a more oval shape for her face and the one you drew is round.and the nose needs some work too http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/wink.gif

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~jioRji~
Whispering Grounds (http://jiorji.cjb.net)

[isys]

If you are trying to achieve photo realism and you are drawing from a photo, you may want to try the grid method. I use it for my portraits as I spend roughly 20 hrs per portrait so to spend all that time on a portrait and then notice something is off is really frustrating (used to do all the time) There are instructions online if you search but I also did up instructions on my site at http://www.stateofartportraits.com/tutorial_grid.htm

I still often end up with areas that are not quite right, but they are smaller and hopefully I catch and fix them during the drawing process. I always check out my drawing in a mirror if I think something is off. I recently noticed too that if I take a photo of my drawing and put it on the computer, the problem areas jump out at me as well.