Monday, November 23, 2015

Red Ribbons

There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.

                Washington Irving

 This drawing is number three in my series of charcoal pencil drawings of women highlighted with red pencil.  She looks like a woman that gets done what she sets her mind, too.  I tried to convey a little bit of spark in her personality by making her ribbons red ~ they help to give the impression that she walks her own path.  Again there is a lot of value work here.  These exercises are a great way to learn to see the value of being able to see value!

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Lady in Red

Would that life were like the shadow cast by a wall or tree, but it is like the shadow of a bird in flight.

                   The Talmud

      After I posted this yesterday and got ready to put this lady aside I decided it needed just a little more work.  I am frequently asked when I know a piece of work is finished.  The honest answer ~ I don't.  They just get put aside and then usually pulled back out after some new change pops into my mind.  Anyway, this is the semi-final drawing of the Lady in Red.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Lady in Red

A very beautiful woman hardly ever leaves a clear-cut impression of features and shape in the memory: usually there remains only an aura of living colour.

               William Bolitho

      This is the second drawing in the series I am working on of women.  This one appealed to me because of its simplicity ~ simple hairdo, simple dress, no jewelry and yet she conveys such elegance and style just in the way she holds herself and the way she gazes so confidently into the distance.  I am toying with the idea of drawing some girl children but am finding that the older faces give me more chances to work on mastering value ~ lots of wrinkles to work with! 

Thursday, November 5, 2015

The belief that youth is the happiest time of life is founded upon a fallacy.  The happiest person is the person who thinks the most interesting thoughts, and we grow happier as we grow older.

                William Lyon Phelps 

      Well, after finishing the drawing of the old woman I have decided to do a series of women of all ages.  I have got this one on the page and have made a start on her hair and her eye.  I have always wanted to try my hand at portrait oil painting so this will be a first step.  These drawings are a real lesson in value and composition.  Already I am seeing a problem with her eyebrow ~ some plucking to be done next session.