This is a follow-one from the hobbie thread. I've started doing charcoal portraits, as it's easiest (charcoal hides many sins!), and works well when there's bad weather, so anything outside is basically out. I want to do one of my parents for their christmas present, and although I've improved a lot in the last three I've done, obviously more practice is better. So, anyone fancy a picture? Post a photo here, I'll do my version, and scan it in if you want. Word of warning; having issues with noses right now, and don't expect it to be good, just expect an attempt! I'm not terrible though, I just have very high standards, and am quite rusty.
I'll take one...either snag something you like off Facebook, or I'll upload one in a few hours once I get back.
Omigod. So you've actually got the costume!? Does it still fit?! OK. Now that I've done my best to derail the thread and come across as a dirty old man... ...I really can't think of anything I'd like to see a drawing of--that's sort of like "You're an artist?! Draw something." It never worked that way for me. Back when I actually had illusions of making a living as an artist, I'd carry a blank book around with me and a decent pen. Then if I had some free time, I'd whip out the book and sketch whatever was around me. Other thing I'd do was carry maybe a razor and a "glue stick" with me, so if I saw a neat photo I could cut it out and glue it into the book for reference later. Everything from bombed-out bridges in Yugoslavia to the lead singer for the band Garbage.
Volpone - Of course I don't still have it, it was over 10 years ago! But if that sort of thing turns you on, it was a red sweater with a st john fisher logo on, and a plain grey skirt. On 12 year olds and younger. Oooh, sexy... I actually have a photoalbum I'm using to keep clippings of colours and images, but haven't bought a paper or magazine in a while. I've no intention of becoming an artist, this is all just something to play around with in my spare time. Dan - I'm attempting that fence picture, and it is damned hard. Very much doubt I'll post a version of it at some point, because I think i'll need even more practise to do that one justice! Burton - I commented on two of your facebook pictures, which I'm thinking of doing. Pick one and get back to me, I cannae decide! Lethe - Gimme a picture that you want immortalised in charcol, and I'll do my best. I cannot, however, make a picture that will grow old whilst you stay young. Alas. T'would make me a mint if I could.
I think that fence picture is probably going to be more sutible to pencil than charcoal (though I have to say, Dan, those are a couple of damned fine pieces) We don't have a lot of good portrait type pics on the machine yet but since no one else has given you anything to work with, I'll let you take a shot at the attached. See if you can make the big one smile a bit for an added challenge.
Burty- I've done a quick 2 minute outline of the pic. You currently look like a demented clown who's face is about to explode. BUT! It's only an outline that took me 2 minutes! Just thought I'd update you to let you know that I have actually started on it. I wanted to post a pic, but I dont have a working camera, and I can't scan it until I've put the fixing spray on. Shep - I'll do my best, I promise no miracles I've gotta say though, I think your little one would look adorable in a slightly oversized bow tie, so I'll be doing my best to resist putting one in! Also, that is a cap on the older one, right? And not just the world best groomed mullet? Maybe this should be moved to the workshop now? I dunno.
Another update! Sheps picture is also at the wait and see now stage - as in, I've done the outline, done most of the detail, but need to wait a day or two so i can properly see any mistakes that need fixing. Chaos - I'll get to yours once I've finished these, it'll be a much better result for one, and secondly, i REALLY need to stop procrastinating. (Although I like THIS procrastinating! Far superior to waiting for the internet to update!)
I gotta say, for a guy who obviously doesn't want to have his picture taken, his hair is IMMACULATE. The quality of the photo meant I wasn't sure if I could see a cap on his head or not, and zooming in wasn't helping. Can't make him smile though, I've made about seven different attempts, and now he just looks like he's got lipstick on! So I'm going to leave that for a bit, clean off the eraser, and finish it up later. If you have a picture of him smiling, I could fit the two together? The little one is very charcoal-genic though, I must say!
