9th drawing : Armin Mersmann Portrait WIP

[Shouclak]

Hi everybody :)

It's been a long time since my last thread !

So there is the first WIP of a serie of graphite artist portraits that I admire a lot.

I start with the one who is definitely my mentor about everything that is related to graphite art : Armin Mersmann.
He is a true inspiration and I wanted to show him my admiration :)

"Armin Mersmann Portrait"

Size 18x24 on Peterboro Illustration board

Material used : 2H, HB and 2B 0.3mm mechanical pencils
2H, H, HB, B, 2B and 4B 0.5mm mechanical pencils

No blending evolved

About 15 hours on it so far

Feel free to critic or comment !

Thanks for watching :)

[Geoff]

Sitting in on this one - looks good so - far.......all this and 'only' 15 hours ( gulps at your patience )....

I can see a grid on the paper - do you do a faint outline of the portrait before you start - or do you kind of "feel" from each feature to the next ?

[Reinhard1]

Étienne, this will be truly fascinating to watch. The eye is rather spectacular (in both senses of the word - your drawing and Armin's artistic eye).

[alfredart]

I'm pulling up a chair. This is off to a most wonderful start.

Peace,
AL

[visualmusic]

Wow Étienne, c'est vraiment beau. Translation for all you readers out there (Wow Étienne, it's really nice.)This looks great. I think I'll have to try circulism.
I've been reading the advanced class on it and it really makes a difference!

Keep up the good work!

Julie

[IrisK]

Wow... (cant close my mouth...) I will follow the steps and I'm really looking forward, how it's going on!
Greatings, Iris

[Suz]

yiiks, scarry good

[Zarathustra]

Wish I had that patience and time. Great result!

[Shouclak]

Geoff : Thanks for your interest :) To answer to your questions, for this portrait I've decided to feel from each feature to the next. It works well so far :)

Reinhard : Thank you so much for your good words. I admire your dedication to art forum. Thanks for helping young artists like me with your precious drawing tips :)

Alfred : Thanks for following the WIP !

Julie : Merci de tes encouragements Julie :)

Iris, Suz and Zarathustra :Thanks to all of you :)

[KathyA]

Another Etienne WIP:clap: :clap: Will be watching!! Absolutely phenominal start-as usual.

[ChristyH]

Awesome! You could frame the eye and that would be a masterpiece. So why don't you blend? I've noticed you haven't done that with other drawings also. I can't imagine drawing a portrait without using my smudge sticks. Don't get me wrong. It looks awesome, just wondering the benefits of it. Maybe I'll have to try that. It will test my patience.

[hrymfaxe]

This looks absolutely amazing! I have been challenged to draw without blending or erasing, and it is a huge challenge for me. (and I am currently drawing apples, peppers and my shoes) So I am in awe of this. Very good craftmanship.

[Shouclak]

Thanks Kathy, Christy and hrymfaxe :)

This is just a quick update.

I worked principally on the skin textures around the eye and on the cheekbone area who has very subtles tones variations. It's time-consuming but I'm not rushed so It advances slowly but surely :).

The eyebrow need more work and I will attack the hair and forehead for the next update !

Thanks for watching :) Feel free to critic or comment !

[siervo]

I can't imagine how awesome this must look live. I surely hope I can get to drawing that realistically sometime.

[joane]

Beautiful --your patience and diligence are marvelous and it very fine work!

[Continental]

You are really squeezing every drop out of the pencil. This is wonderful. It is amazing what graphite is capable of in the right hands.

Stunning work!:)

[electricajun]

Étienne, I marvel at your talent and patience! I'm in the bleachers, watching with everyone else.
Ron

[NSR160]

You must have 15 hours in prepparation for this one. hehe

Looks good, you got good skills.

Without a reff its hard to comment too much on the drawing.
But there is always something that i notice.

So here are a few spots I "feel" are out of place.
The texture looks different from the rest. (blue)

And on this photo the water line under the iris is gone.(red)
But that could be the photo blur, look good in the first photo you posted.

The eyelashes are a bit too organised, makes the reflection of them (on the eyeball) look like a part of the eyelashes.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c236/Nsr160/Armin_WIP_0228close-up29b.jpg

[Shouclak]

siervo, joane, Continental, Ron : Thanks a lot for your nice comments :)

NSR160 : Wow ! Thanks for all these observations !

The texture looks different from the rest. (blue)
You're right. Armin got some skin textures variation under his eyes and eyebrows.

And on this photo the water line under the iris is gone.
You're right too, but this time, I think this is due to the blur of the photo like you've said ;)

So there is a new update. I have to say that this current drawing is gaving
me big headhaches. After 15 hours of work, I've decided to restart it (It seems a bad habit is growing...).

I overworked the area near the nose and the paper had difficulties to grab additionnal graphite layers so I've decided to start with the nose this time just for the fun.

I've realized that the choice of the first area to start with will affect the final result and I'm confident that the nose is a good choice for this drawing http://www.dueysdrawings.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

So there is the right nostril of Armin http://www.dueysdrawings.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

Thanks for watching !

[Dougwas]

Great start! Again! It shows you have a great appreciation for the subject to start another drawing after investing 15 hours into the first drawing. Just from looking at what you have done so far, I can tell that you have learned plenty from Armin.

I can't give you a critique because I am just starting my journey into drawing and circulism. I have learned from many people in this forum and it motivates me to see drawings like yours. Good luck in the rest of your drawing. I will be watching with great interest.



Doug

[Geoff]

So there is the right nostril of Armin !!!

If there was a "jaw-dropping" smilie - I'd use it now !!!!!!!! :clap:

[NSR160]

Starting with the nose is a good thing.
Than you have most of the value map already.
And the contrast needed to compare it to the rest.

What size are you working on?

[Shouclak]

You are absolutely right NSR about the value map :)
I'm working on Peterboro Illustration Board 18x24 inches.

Here is a new update. I worked on the nose, the mustach and the cheek. I tried a background with a soft gradient. Do you think it's a good idea ? I'm open to all suggestions ! :)

Thank you for watching :)

[KensBrush]

Just incredible - can't wait to see the finishe product.

I am curious about the gridlines that show in your posts of the wip. Is that on your drawing or something picked up when you scan it?

[NSR160]

The only thing about the gradient, is that it is a bit on the dark side.
It migth work, but still a bit early to tell. (thats why I think it is too dark)

[Shouclak]

Kensbrush : Thanks :) About the gridlines, it is on my drawing.

NSR160 : Thanks for the tip :) I will work on it for the next update.

There is a new update. I worked on the nose, the eye area and the eyebrow. I've put a photo of the drawing alone and a photo of my workspace to maybe give a idea of the size of the drawing.

Thanks for watching ! Feel free to critic or comment :)

[NLartist]

Wow!!.......That's all I can say. You've inspired me to take on a bigger portrait. Now....Anyone here have any more time to spare me :D

[Geoff]

Kensbrush : Thanks :) About the gridlines, it is on my drawing.

NSR160 : Thanks for the tip :) I will work on it for the next update.

There is a new update. I worked on the nose, the eye area and the eyebrow. I've put a photo of the drawing alone and a photo of my workspace to maybe give a idea of the size of the drawing.

Thanks for watching ! Feel free to critic or comment :)

AH - it's not that big then !!!!! :evil:

What's on the piece of paper you have taped at the side of your board ( just being nosy ). :cat:

ps You seen the latest portrait from Armin on Deviant ? :clap:
http://nimra.deviantart.com/art/Drawing-of-Jessica-completed-74162059

[NSR160]

Shadows on you work space, is not the best thing you can have.
You should have enuff light to work in.
It affects your value range, due to the eyes need to adjust everytime you sitt down.

The prosess is looking real good.
There is one line that is going from the iris, on the top that looks a bit too structured.
But that could only be that your iris is too light on the very top of the eyeball.
After seeing your start on the other eye, im guessing your still at work on this one.
Good call on restarting this one, you have a better start now.

Armin work is very impressive.
There only a few things I would have commented on.

[alfredart]

Great start.... again.:D

Peace,
AL

[Shouclak]

NLartist : Thank you so much !

Geoff : Thanks :) The paper taped down to the right is for writing down some notes about new techniques I tried. What kind of pencil for specific areas, working hours, shading tests, etc :)
ps You seen the latest portrait from Armin on Deviant ? :clap:
Yes I've seen the last drawing of Armin. His best drawing I think so far ;)

NSR160 : Good call on restarting this one, you have a better start now.Finally someone who agree with my decision !! :thumbsup:

Alfred : Thanks a lot for your good words :)

I made adjustments on the background (made it more uniform) and add tiny facials white hairs all on the side of his face. I think it look better than the previous very sharp border and gives a additionnal touch of realism to the drawing.

I've worked too on the area below his eye, on the other side of the nose, corrected some proportions and adjusted tones.

Thanks for watching !

Feel free to critic or comment ;)

[Shouclak]

There is a new update.

I worked principally on the left side of his face. The area below his right eye is far from being finished so please be indulgent ! http://www.dueysdrawings.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif

About 70 hours on it so far

Thanks for watching :)

[NSR160]

Very impressive :clap:

The iris in the eyes are very different.
Is this the way there going to be?

The "water" line/lower eye line, in his right eye looks a bit harsh.
Your working in this aria, so im guessing you have full controll. :)

I find it strange that not more people have commented on the drawing.
Maybe you have made them speechless. :)

[Shouclak]

Thank you so much for your nice critics and comments :)

The iris in the eyes are very different.
Is this the way there going to be?

I observe that too. Something is wrong but I don't know what ! I will work on this for the next update.

Thanks !

[Shouclak]

Hi everybody :)

I was pretty busy 2 last weeks cuz I was moving to a new city to find a new job. I'm now installed and ready to post a new update of my drawing. I worked on the shading all over his face.The part you see in the image is officially completed (except the little part above the eyebrow) so I will not retouch it... I promise :P.

Critics or comments are welcome :)

Hope you like it so far !

[NSR160]

Wow its starting to take shape.
If you continue like this, It will look fantastic in the end.
Keep at it. :thumbsup:

[onlyabeginner]

ABSOLUTELY amazing! The expression on his face, in his eyes!

Oh! also, everything else on deviantart is amazing too :)

How do you do it?!?

[Shouclak]

Thanks NSR and onlyabeginner :)

There is another update.

I've completed the hair (wouhou !) and I've worked on the background who is VERY time-consuming. I don't use any blending tools (to keep the maximum texture of the paper) so It's harder to maintain the smooth gradient effect I wanted since the beginning.

I think the result is better than my previous blended background. Maybe not...

Hope you like it :)

Critics and comments are welcome :)

[AnnMarieS]

This is an amazing drawing!! Beautiful!:clap:

[Stkydesrt]

I'm enjoying seeing the progress on this! You have amazing patience and talent!

[soonerdog]

Hi,
I've seen several of your drawings on other message boards. I'm always impressed by the level of detail and realism you're able to achieve. This one is really nice.

[IslanderNL]

At risk of being redundant, this is very well done. Excellent work, but you know that already I think.

What brings me pleasure is seeing someone willing to invest time in making a drawing come to life. I see too often drawings done quickly that are more sketches than drawings. I realize of course that everyone has their own preferences, and perhaps I'm a detail person myself, but I love the detail that time brings forth.