"Pain" 9 x 12 Graphite on Strathmore 300 Bristol Smooth paper

 It's been awhile...

I started a new drawing tonight.  I'm calling this "Pain" it's 9 x 12 graphite on Strathmore 300 Bristol Smooth paper,  

What is pain?  To me, pain is living with mental illness, surviving a life threatening and life changing heart attack, certainly leaves one to think.  I find myself thinking about all that I've been through in my life.  All of the pain I've suffered through as a child through to my early 20's.  I should have died many many years ago but I persevered through the suffering.  How? I still don't know but I did.   As I get older, I still have days where it all just gets to me and life becomes too overwhelming.  I am learning to embrace my scars, both physical and emotional.  I decided to turn my pain and suffering into art.  This is the first of many self portraits where I am trying to cope and deal with the inner pain I suffer through.   I hope you, the viewer, can join me along my journey as I try to figure out who I truly am.   

More to come!!! 

 

Drawing of Artist Kate Zambrano (WIP)

 Here is an update on my drawing of Kate Zambrano, 9 x 12 graphite pencil on Bristol Smooth paper.

Kate is one of the artists who inspires me. The emotion she creates in her work just touches my soul. Emotion is a main focus in my own work, both my own as well as my subject's. I hope to do Kate proud with this portrait.

For pencils, I am using Pentel Graph Gear Mechanical pencils with 4H, 2H, H, HB, 2B, and 4B leads. I am creating her skin tone by making tiny tiny overlapping circular motions, my blog shows a small clip of my technique. I also vary my hand pressure, more pressure for darker tones and light pressure for lighter tone.

More to come soon!

"Frau im Schlummer" Work in Progress Update

Here is an update on my latest piece which I am calling "Frau im Schlummer".  This i 9 x 12 graphite pencil on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper.  

For pencils I'm using 0.5mm Pentel Graph Gear 1000 Mechanical Pencils with $H, 2H, H, HB, B, 2B, and 4B leads.  I am not using any blending tools.   I am building up my tones by making tiny overlapping circular motions with my pencils.  I also vary my hand pressure, less pressure for lighter tones and more pressure for darker tones.  I try to build a nice contrast, a balance of lights, darks, and mid-tones.  

More to come soon!!!!

 

"Schlummern" 9 x 12 graphite pencil on Bristol Smooth paper (WIP)

"Schlummern" 9 x 12 graphite pencil on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper (...

"Schlummern" work in progress

Kit (work in progress)

I've been working on a new portrait which I've been posting on my Facebook page. This is Kit, she is 9 x 12 graphite on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper.

For the deep shadow and dark skin tone, I'm using a Pentel P205 mechanical pencil with a 2B lead. For the lighter skin tone, I'm using a 4H and H lead. I'm layering my graphite by making tiny overlapping circular motions. Most of the hair is going to be in shadow but the highlights are being created using a Tombow Mono Zero Eraser. More to come soon!

Portrait of "Johnny"

Here is my latest piece which I just finished yesterday.  This is currently on display at the Reading Art Association Fall Art Exhibit.   This piece will be judged on Friday, November 11, 2016.  Opening reception on Friday November 11th from 7:30PM to 9:30PM

"Sara"

I'm Here is my latest portrait which I just completed, "Sara" 11 x 14 pencil on Strathmore Bristol smooth paper.

I'm also posting ALL of my work in progress images showing my progress.

"Amy" Complete

Here is my completed portrait of Amy Silverman, Elite Beachbody Fitness Coach.

"Amy" WIP 4

Here's another small update to my portrait of "Amy".  Hopefully my Team Beachbody friends will start to recognize her.  I'm still making adjustments as I go along.  Working on her hair and trying to bring out the realism.  More to come soon!!!