Green Eyes - Progress 6

Here's another update. I used Cream, Deco Pink, and Peach for the skin tone. I think I'm going to add another layer of each color to smooth out the skin. I want to make the light and dark tones transition smoothly to make it look more natural.

New Commission

I just got a commission request to do a 5 subject portrait which will be a Christmas gift. I'll be focusing on this commissioned piece for the next few weeks so I can't dedicate as much time to my colored pencil portrait.

I will be working on both pieces at the same time but most of my focus will be on the commissioned piece because of the deadline. Delivery date is November 27th, right after Thanksgiving. This gives me about 3 months to complete.

The client asked for the portrait to be done in graphite. I've started my line drawing. I completed the line drawing for one subject. Once I have the line drawing completed for all 5 subjects, I'll be posting it which should be in a few days.

Green Eyes - Progress 5

Here's a small update for tonight. I added a little bit of the hair and I added another layer of Light Peach and Peach for the skin.

For the hair I'm using Sand, Sienna Brown, Dark Brown, Goldenrod, and a little bit of Black. I'm still playing with my pallette. I'm not sure what colors to use but I'm just having fun mixing and seeing what I come up with. I'll be posting another update soon.

Green Eyes - Progress 4

Here's another update. I'm still working on adding more layers to the skin. I'm hoping to smooth out the tone and make it look more natural and realistic. I also started adding freckles.

So far I'm using Light Peach, Peach, Burnt Ochre, and Dark Brown.

Green Eyes - Progress 3

I'm working on the second eye and starting to add skin tone. I'm using Light Peach, Peach, and Burnt Ochre. I'll be adding more layers as I go along hopefully to smooth out the tone and make it more realistic.

Green Eyes - Progress 2

Here's a small update. I'm a little nervous with the skin tone and thought about going back to graphite. But I'm not, I'm sticking with it. I also realized that I have to use a lighter graphite pencil when drawing the line drawing. I may actually use a Peach color Colored Pencil to the line drawing on my next portrait.

For eye itself, I used Dark Green, Lime Peel, and Olive Green. For the skin tone, I used Light Peach, Peach, Light Umber, and Sienna Brown. I'm going to be building my layers slowly. I'm not sure if I'll be burnishing or not. I'm using a circulism technique. More to come soon....

Green Eyes - Progress 1

Here is my completed line drawing of "Green Eyes". I call my line drawing the ugly stage of my portraits because the lines are loosely sketched and drawn quickly. The lines are used for placement purposes only. I map out where I want the eyes, the nose, the mouth. Once I have the line drawing at a point I like, I start planning my details.

"Green Eyes"

I've started a new portrait last night. The title of my newest piece is "Green Eyes". This is going to be my first real attempt at a colored pencil portrait and my first drawing that will have a background.

The size is going to be 11 x 14 on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper. I'll be using Prismacolor Colored Pencils. I'm still working on the line drawing which I'll be posting an image of I hope tonight.

I'm a little intimated by colored pencils. I've dabbled with colored pencils before but always ended up going back to graphite. I feel that I'm growing as an artist and it's time I face my fear and stick with it.....

Portrait of Sharon

It's been awhile since I posted an update on my blog. This is something that I hope to do regularly going forward. I thought I'd post my latest drawing.

Here's a portrait of a good friend and artist. This is a portrait of Sharon Gonzalez as a young girl. She is truly an inspiration to me as an artist and as a person. Her love of life and art has touched me in a way that I feel has made me a better person. Her photographs and paintings capture all that is beautiful in this world and I hoped to capture the beauty of her.

The Incredible Artwork of Armin Mersmann

Here is a video displaying some of the artwork of a Modern Master Graphite Artist, Armin Mersmann. Armin's attention to detail and his discipline is something I hope to learn and achieve. Armin is also one of the artists that I try to learn from. He is my inspiration. Not only is Armin a great artist, he's a great man as well. To see these works and many many others, please visit Armin's web site at http://www.arminmersmann.com Enjoy the video of this amazing and talented artist....I sure did!

Pumpkin Carving 2009

Hi Everyone,

One of my many creative loves other than drawing is pumpkin carving. Here is this year's pumpkin carving titled, "The Haunted Pumpkin Patch". Happy Halloween!!!!