Latest Work

Portrait of a Mother

The subject is that of my mother who passed away on April 13, 2023. This portrait is to commemorate her at her celebration of life memorial in late July.

This portrait is drawn on Canson Paper 80lb. 130 g

Size: 18 x 24 inches

Medium: Castle Arts Portriat Collection Premium softcore Pencil Silky smooth, velvety soft leads, ink, and General Art soft pastel pencil

Date of Completion: July 2, 2023

Process

In this area, you will see the steps that were taken through the 24 hours to complete the artwork.

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Image Choice

The image used was that from a photograph taken in the spring of 2010.

The image was cropped to allow me to resize image to 3000 x 4000 pixels.

Tracing of Image

Using a Image tracing light pad.

Background

Using the soft Pastel Pencils, I created the look of clouds to represent, what else but higher up, the sky.

Eyes

I find starting by the eyes is a good start as it allows you to really focus on the details. from the iris, the pupils, the reflections, the colors, and positioning of eyelashes.

Hair

Working on the hair I started from left to right. This because I amv left Handed. But, the norm is to always work right to left. Anyway, Can you guess how many colors were used for the hair,

Answer is below.

Color Tones Face

Working on the face can be a challenge as knowing the subject bone structure, skin texture, the natural wrinkles on the face. Color tones, work to gether to bring out all of this.

Complete Work

The Artwork daily breakdown

Day One: 6 hrs

Day Two: 4 hrs

Day Three: 8 hrs

Day Four: 5 hrs

Image for reference

I find starting by the eyes is a good start as it allows you to really focus on the details. from the iris, the pupils, the reflections, the colors, and positioning of eyelashes.

Colors Used:

Hair: Ivory Black, Burnt Sienna, Terracotta, Naples Yellow, Sepia, Burnt Umber, Grey

Face: White, Grey, Golden Yellow, Coral, Peach, Grenadine, Rose

Eyes: White, Grey, Golden Yellow, Peach, Burnt Sienna, Sepia, Burny Umber, Black.