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Bollywood Legend
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Message
Posted
My wife (who's from Mumbai) asked me to do a picture of her favourites from Bollywoof- the almost legendary actor Amitabh Bacchan. This is my second ever picture done in charcoal. I'm happier with it than the first time around. I've been reading up on the Loomis method for drawing faces, so I think I've got a more realistic looking face this time too. I'm still very unhappy with a lot of the details I couldn't make work. This gentleman has a *bright* white beard, which I couldn't render at all. I'm really not sure how you can do white with charcoal. I have a white charcoal pencil, but the white hardly shows up! I also couldn't get much variety in shading in his black clothes. I'm not sure how you introduce variety when it's already so black. I tried a rubber, but it didn't make much difference. At least I've managed to get the eyes about right this time. I tend to always draw the eyes on portraits looking a bit wonky!
I'd appreciate any advice for how to improve my technique - thanks!
Simon
Posted
Try using a putty rubber and white paper , completely cover it in charcoal...oh...messy , Great fun. Use a cloth to smooth it over ,then draw your picture with putty rubber .
Then you can use your charcoal stick to draw back into it. If nothing else you will make a mess.
Though, it actually can work and be very effective . You will need to buy a new rubber though .
Posted
Simon. Regardless of how you see it, I like it. It has a lot of character.
An artist is already his own personal critic, and you proved that in your post.
You liked your second go at it or you would not show it.
You already know what you could have done better (for what you think the observer wants to see).
The seer of art always sees what they want, or don't want, to see _ and never what the artist sees.
Doing art for others to see what you see is impossible. You will always see it differently.
What I see speaks volumes to me.
Thanks for showing your drawing. I only wish I could see it for real.
Posted
Simon, your drawing shows how much you have progressed, it's good! Sylvia's idea is one I use with most of my charcoal drawings - covering the whole paper with charcoal, rubbing it in, then ' "subtracting" the lights with a putty rubber. Then you draw back and strengthen the tones. Or try using a grey paper, or a coloured paper, and your lights will really show up.
Posted
Simon. Regardless of how you see it, I like it. It has a lot of character. An artist is already his own personal critic, and you proved that in your post. You liked your second go at it or you would not show it. You already know what you could Nox Vidmate VLC have done better (for what you think the observer wants to see). The seer of art always sees what they want, or don't want, to see _ and never what the artist sees. Doing art for others to see what you see is impossible. You will always see it differently. What I see speaks volumes to me. Thanks for showing your drawing. I only wish I could see it for real.I agree totally , an artist is his first own critique
Edited
by mahmoud soaayed
