2B Pencil Portrait - Realistic Style

[CkA]

Here I have produced a portrait using a 2B pencil (my enemy) in realistic style (boring; I get too much reality at the office http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif).

Fire away!!!


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C K Agathocleous

[jnet11]

Cindy-
In my 2b pencil drawings (my favoite drawing tool by the way) I use a mechanical pencil, the lead has a flat edge and a sharp edge you can use to your advantage.
Plus I never use my fingers to shade (although I have seen plenty of people do that well), I use different levels of pressure and angle of marks to achieve a three dimesional look.
Are you working from a photo? I truly believe photos are powerful tools for learning the perspective and proportion 'rules', for instance how the ear starts at the bottom of the nose line, eyes are one eye width apart, the lips extend to the center of the iris, etc ...
I've also heard these called 'plumb lines'. Once you establish these relationships, you are mightily prepared for the more challenging situation of working from life or your imagination to create realistic drawings ...
I certainly recognize this as the same reference as your oil pastel, and I think it holds all of the same expressionistic values, I wouldn't call it realistic, though, I'd like to see you at this one again ... http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/wink.gif
jeanette*

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The excellency of every art is its intensity, capable of making all disagreeables evaporate, from their being in close relationship with beauty and truth. --John Keats

[MichaelRH]

Hi there! ((Cindy)). I replied..over in the Critiques area! uh...(it is ALL positive btw!)

[CkA]

Jnet,

I know , I know. I have had portraiture and life drawing at local art centers,,, books on drawing etc. I know the plumb lines and proportions etc. I just can't bring myself to approach it like a drafting problem... or I guess I just don't have "it" for realistic drawing. This piece I know is still expressionistic (linear ear treatment, slant of eye exaggerated, small nose and full mouth ... a bunch of stuff not to spec I know).

Thanks for your thoughful tips though!


cindy

[CkA]

{{{Michael}}},

You are always positive!

cindy

[ReNae]

Cindy,

Even though you are trying to capture 'realism', I still like this piece. I love the eyes, mouth and nose. A piece can still be lovely even if it isn't exactly perfect.

I think you have your own unique style that somehow always shines through!

Warmth,
ReNae

[LA]

HI ALL!

"
Are you working from a photo? I truly believe photos are powerful tools for learning the perspective and proportion 'rules', for instance how the ear starts at the bottom of the nose line, eyes are one eye width apart, the lips extend to the center of the iris, etc ...
I've also heard these called 'plumb lines'. Once you establish these relationships, you are mightily prepared for the more challenging situation of working from life or your imagination to create realistic drawings ...
"

HI!
just like 2 say that i really love working from photos..they can be worked from any where and are usually well focused on details that are important

i knew that plumb lines were important and that the relationships between features gave a face its character....HOWEVER i didnt realise that eyes are 1 width apart!! or lips extend to the center of the iris!!!

thanks for the tips!!
ill have a go at that!!
have fun http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/wink.gif
LA

[LA]

oops!! that quoting business didnt work very well!! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/frown.gif

how do u work it???:O

(u can tell i am new at this!!):P

LA

[animal]

to help you out you could look at

1.draw real people:lee hammond

2.draw family and friends:lee hamond,

they both help me understand the same problems you are having


good luck.