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First Self Portrait.
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Message
Posted
Hi all. I have been very nervous to take this step and actually do a face. I took up drawing and sketching at the end of September with the Sketching post and have done a few sketches in the October post. I have never drawn or sketched previously before this. This will be the ninth sketch I've ever done, I think. As advised, I bought a layout pad and some charcoal sticks and I thought , today, is the day, no point in being scared of trying. I didn't copy it from the photo I have put up, I have included that for a likeness. What I did was looked in a mirror and did the sketch from looking at my face in the mirror. I don't usually look so miserable, I was concentrating so hard, It's only now, I realize how harsh I look when I am concentrating. Of course, I do realize it takes many months and a lot of hard work. I am learning all about watercolour and acrylic at the moment. Honest criticism welcome as I am eager to learn, even if the truth hurts. Thanks.
Posted
Well done Denise , I find portraits one of the most difficult things to draw or paint and my hat goes off to those who do them so well. This is really good for your first attempt, and seeing your photo there is some resemblance. Yes you need more practice but you know that, you have taken the big step and it can only get better. You’ll note that I have not offered any advice , simply because there are people on hear who can offer better that I ever could when it comes to portrait.
My only advice is to keep at it and practice regularly. I don’t think you look that harsh either
Posted
Well done, PP...sorry, don't know what your name is. Drawing from life is tough, it's the best way to do it, but it's tough. Many, many people who do portraits, do work from photos. Let's not kid ourselves. And why not? I've been watching the Sky Arts portrait shows, the thing that's obvious, is a kind of sitter's atrophy...having to sit still for long periods drains out all the life and vitality from their faces. The same thing happens when you draw yourself in the mirror.
You've drawn yourself full face, I think that's the most difficult view. If possible draw yourself at a slight angle...rather like your photo. Also, think about lighting, if you have the light mainly from one direction the face is defined better. Maybe you can partially close a curtain or a blind...do it if you can.
Stick with drawing from life if you can, but don't worry about working from a photo occasionally...it'll feel like a holiday.
You obviously have it in you to make art. I, for one, have been impressed by what you've done so far for someone who's only just started. So stick at it young lady, and remember...none of us get it right.
Posted
Well using charcoal and a large layout pad was my suggestion, and you’ve made a good start Denise.
Just keep going as you have here, forget about a likeness at this stage, that’s irrelevant!
There’s a lot that you need to work on, eyes and mouth in particular, (forget about drawing In eyelashes), but your proportions look good.
The pose is fine, nothing looks more silly than a grinning self portrait... I always look on the severe side in my self portraits, I think I’ve got one or two on my gallery.
You could do with a good book on self portraits or portraiture if you’re serious about advancing your skills to the next level - alternatively have a look on you tube, but most of what I see on there is of little or no value, for me anyway!
Posted
Hi Denise,
Well done for taking the plunge. Self portraits And other portraits from life are invariably lacking expression. If the model sits for hours they cannot keep up a smile. I can see from you photo that you have the proportions are about right, so it must look like you! Again well done!
Posted
well done, indeed, Denise, for having a go at a " live" self portrait. As Lewis says, it's much harder than copying a photo. I find that certain elements I get right, others I get wrong, all because you can't really stand back in the same way as you can when you are drawing someone else. Usually I end up looking either too young or too old, never quite right. Maybe one day it will happen. It's also exhausting, isn't it? Have a look on you tube - not too long though or you'll never make a start- but you'll find some good tips. Lighting plays an important part ( Lewis mentioned that), it injects a bit of drama. Try a three quarters view with the light coming in from one side. Keep going and it'll begin to make sense.
You've done a line drawing here, another way is to cover the paper with charcoal, rub it gently into the paper , squint at your image and , with a putty rubber, take out the lights. You are, in effect, drawing with your rubber. Begin to put details back in with your charcoal, strengthening the dark tones. This is "reductive drawing" . Look it up, it's very enjoyable and it's how I mostly draw with charcoal.
Posted
Thank you everyone and Alan the charcoal sticks are great to use. I have read through everything you have all mentioned and jotted everything down.I really listen to everything that is said and appreciate everyone taking the time to give me advice. I will be out buying a putty rubber tomorrow. I've just done these, the one with the fish is my son.I did it from an old photo. Obviously I won't show him it, I'll wait until I have had a few months practice and hopefully have another go at the same picture and maybe it will be more refined. I will probably do a couple more, then call it a night with the sketching.