"Amy" (Work in Progress)

Small update on my portrait of "Amy".  I'm using Pentel P205 mechanical pencils still with 4H, 2H, B, and 2B leads.  I am blending using q-tip cotton swabs, a medium tortillion, and a 2 inch Hake Brush.  My blending technique is simple, I add a layer of graphite by making extremely tiny overlapping circles, it's actually more of a circular motion that I make.  I then blend, also making a circular motion lightly.  I then repeat the process and add more layers of graphite until I have the correct tone that I want to achieve.  More to come soon!

"Amy" (Work in Progress)

I'm I'm starting a new portrait, "Amy".  I'm a little nervous with this one because she is someone who I admire and has taught me so much and has inspired me in so many ways, more than she will ever know.  Some of my Team Beachbody friends will recognize her (I hope), I want this to be more than just a drawing, I want this to be a celebration of who she is and of someone who has taught me that it's OK to be myself and to just go for it!!!  

A little bit about my process, I draw out my line drawing on plain ole' printer paper, nothing fancy using a Pentel P205 mechanical pencil with a 2B lead. BI do this because I make a lot of mistakes and I erase often.  My finished work is done on Bristol Smooth paper which is expensive, so to not damage my finished drawing paper, I use printer paper to start.  My line drawing is the "ugly stage" of my process.  The lines are drawing quickly and look like a 2 year old did them.  My line drawing is just for placement purposes only, to map out where I want the facial features and light and shadow.   Once I'm content with my line drawing, I tape it to the back of my Bristol Paper and transfer my line drawing to my Bristol paper using a light box.  I again use a Pentel P205 mechanical pencil with a 2B lead.  I like a 2B lead because it's hard enough I can use a soft touch with out damaging the paper yet soft enough I can still see my lines (which is ironic because I blend out my lines as I draw, but that process will come soon enough).  Now that I have my finished line drawing, I can start adding tone and texture to bring Amy to life on paper.  More to come soon!

"Thea"

9 x 12 graphite on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper.

"Thea" work in progress

Here's a work in progress image of my latest portrait, "Thea".  She is 9 x 12 graphite on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper.  More to come soon!

"Bella" Complete

O"Bella" 11 x 14 graphite on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper

"Bella" WIP 3

Here's an update on my portrait of Bella.  I'm continuing on by drawing tiny tiny lines close together for the fur/hair.  For the lighter hair, I'm using 4H, 2H, and H leads and for the darker hair in shadow, I'm using HB, B, and 2B leads.  I'm drawing each individual hair focusing on the light and darks.  I also have one ear done.  I'm going to be working on Bella all weekend long so hopefully I can at least get her face finished by Sunday evening.  I'll post an update soon!

"Bella" WIP 2

Here's an update on my portrait of "Bella".  I got both eyes done.  I used. 2B lead and a circulism technique for the eyes.  For the hair, so far I'm using 4H, 2H, and H for the light hair and 2B for the darker hair.  In drawing each individual hair using tiny strokes.  No blending tools.  More to come soon!

"Bella" WIP 2

Here's a small update on my portrait of "Bella".  I'm still using a P205 mechanical pencil with a 2B lead.  I'm starting the eye and am working on the hair.  More to come soon!

"Bella" WIP

I'm starting a new dog portrait.  Here is "Bella", she's going to be 11 x 14 on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper.  I created my line drawing using a Pentel P205 mechanical pencil with a 2B lead.  I have mapped out where I want light and shadow.  More to come soon!

"Dennis" Complete

"Dennis" 11 x 14 graphite on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper

"Dennis" WIP 4

Here's an update on my portrait "Dennis".  Still working on the tone and texture of his skin.  Should be finished by later today.  More to come soon!

Dennis WIP 3

Happy New Year everyone!

Here is an update on my portrait of Dennis. Working on the tone and texture of the skin. More to come soon!

"Dennis" WIP2

Here's an update on my portrait of my friend Dennis.  I'm still using Pentel P205 mechanical pencils but now switched to 4H, HB, and 2B leads as I work the skin texture.  Trying to kick my portrait work up a notch.  More to come soon!

Maryna (Work in Progress)

here's a final update for tonight.  I can't step away from this, she's starting to haunt me...always wanting more attention.   I tweaked the shadows a bit more.   Gonna stop for tonight, my eyes are starting to burn.   More to come tomorrow!

"Deja"

Here's my latest commissioned piece.  She is 11 x 14 graphite on Strathmore Bristol Velłum paper.  This was done with a Pentel P205 mechanical pencil with a 2B lead.  I blended with a medium tortillion, soft tissue paper, and a 2 inch Hake brush.  The white highlights in the eyes, above the nose, and in the whiskers were created using a Uniball Stigno white gel pen.

    

                               

"Walter" WIP 2

Here's an update on my portrait of "Walter".   I'm using Pentel P205 mechanical pencils with 4H, 2H, H, and 2B leads.  No blending tools are being using.  I love using the Vellum paper, I love how it just grabs the graphite.  More to come soon!

"Walter" WIP1

Here is the start of my newest commissioned portrait.  This is "Walter", he 11 x 14 graphite in Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper.  

I'm not using any blending tools with this one and I'm using Bristol Vellum for the first time.  I must say that I'm loving the paper right now.  I love the way the paper holds the graphite.  I will be using this paper more often.  

For pencils, I'm using a Pentel P205 mechanical pencil with a 2B lead.  

More to come soon!

Olivia WIP 2

Here's an update on my commission piece, Olivia.  Her face is about 95% finished.  I want to add another layer of graphite to smooth out the tone and to really bring out the contrast.  I will be 100% finished with her face for my next update, then I can work on the bib and clothes.  Once the clothes is finished, she'll be ready to mat, frame, and wrap.