Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Using a toned paper



I don't know if I've shown the rest of the pictures in this series, but I've been working with this image for a while. The original is a black and white image that caught my attention in an ad in a fashion magazine. I began by drawing it as a regular old pencil sketch, but I only shaded half of it and left the other half as just the blocked in basics. I plan to use this to help illustrate how to begin a drawing to my students. The second version was a monotone painting done with combinations of ultramarine blue and burnt sienna. I'm not very happy with it, but that's alright, too. I can still use it to show students how things go wrong and how to spot them!

My mom gave me a variety of drawing papers, including toned papers, about the same time a sanguine sketch in a drawing book caught my eye. The image shown above was my first attempt at playing with three colors of charcoal on a toned paper. I quite enjoyed doing it and am very happy with the mouth and nose area. I keep thinking that the one side of her face is wider, but when I compared them they are the same and the illusion turns out to be a function of the shadow on the one side. I'll have to play with this technique some more.

4 comments:

Skye said...

Great job!! I admire your talents..I know your class will enjoy it as well..hugs, Skye

CindyLous News said...

From the photo, it's difficult to tell from which direction is your light source. That would determine where you need more shadow. The basic is lovely; can't wait to see the finished portrait!

CindyLous News said...

P.S. My art teacher almost chanted,"Darker farther away, lighter closer to me." Thank you Chris DiDomizio - every time I pick up a pencil or drawing implement, I hear that over and over in my head! Hope this helps!

Anonymous said...

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