Old Glory...it's Illinois basketball mania time

Old Glory
carbon pencil drawing on paper
11 x 9, double matted
____________________________________

Original Pencil Drawing
$655.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
_______________________________
Also available in:
Small ...open edition Giclee Print @ $40
Large ...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
_______________________________

It's basketball tournament time everywhere. The sports casters refer to it as 'Hoops Mania". Our local high school is done but the University of Illinois is still in the game. I don't watch as much basketball as I used to and never did follow the professional teams...but thought this drawing was appropriate and might just stir some good memories.

As I worked on this carbon pencil drawing, memories of my own High School days flooded my head. I remembered the small gyms we played in, cheering until we were hoarse, and the excitement of riding the bus to the game with the team. Things were different then...times more relaxed and definitely more innocent.

On the way to the basketball game the team always sat together in the front of the bus. On the way home...we were allowed to pair off in couples. I still remember holding hands in the dark on the ride home, and my first kiss.

The drawing Old Glory is not just about the game, but also about the 'freedom' to enjoy the game. Despite ALL the negative issues that make the news today. We who are fortunate enough to live in the United Sates and enjoy the freedoms offered by living in a true democracy have much to celebrate.

The American Flag is the symbol of our freedom. Old Glory, as it is referred to, stands for who we are as a nation and a people. Our American Flag has been burned, stomped on, and desecrated by many over the years...yet she still flies strong.

The old basketball and shoes are a reminder of our youth when life was much simpler. School, the Friday night ball game, getting a date for the weekend and cruising the town square...don't we all remember when?

I also took some WIP photos and put together a drawing tutorial when working on Old Glory and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the techniques used.

________________________________

Matthew 18:3
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:2-4 (in Context)

____________________________

Mr. Lincoln...carbon and graphite drawing

"Mr. Lincoln"

THE STORY BEHIND THE IMAGE
This portrait of Mr. Lincoln was commissioned and donated to the Lincoln College Heritage Museum in Lincoln Illinois.

This is a younger Lincoln than we are used to seeing. The main photo reference was taken in 1860, just prior to his nomination for president. Lincoln would have been 51 years old.

Being from Illinois I wanted the finished drawing to be indicative of the period of time when Lincoln was in the area and still practicing law. I also wanted it to emulate his stature, which we all know was tall and lanky.

Then, and perhaps most of all, I wanted his eyes and expression to tell the story of the weigh he carried as he contemplated his presidency and the hope he had for his country's future.

This image is also offered in:
SMALL OPEN EDITION PRINTS
and
LARGE OPEN EDITION PRINTS
and
LIMITED EDITION PRINTS
(an edition of just 45 prints)

____________________________________________

Proverbs 10:28
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
Proverbs 10:27-29 (in Context)

__________________________________________

Mr. Lincoln is done...perhaps?

...Mr. Lincoln...
12x22 carbon pencil on paper

It's been quiet here on my blog for a few days, but
lots has been happening in the background.
____________________________________________

First off my camera and I are 'friends' again. If you missed my last couple of posts you need to know that it wouldn't release the memory card. Well the camera came through the 'emergency room' visit but the memory card is ka-poot!

Memory cards are not cheep but this was a smaller one and had been around a long time.

I finished the commissioned drawing of Mr. Lincoln. I will keep it sitting out to do some of the usual tweaking on ....you know the little things that only an artist would notice.

When deciding on a reference photo to use I wanted something a little different...which in itself is hard when drawing such a well know person in history. I decided on this particular photo for several reasons.

Being from the state of Illinois I wanted to use a reference photo that was indicative of the period of time when he was living in my state and practicing law.

I also wanted the drawing to emulate his stature...which was tall and lanky.

Then, and perhaps most of all, I wanted his eyes and expression to tell the story of the weight he carried as he contemplated his presidency and the hope he had for his country's future.

I used several different photos for his facial expression...and am pleased with the results. This is a younger Lincoln than we are used to seeing. The main photo reference was taken in 1860, just prior to when he was nominated for president. Lincoln would have been around 51 years old.

I'm still working on the final little tweaks...not certain but may 'ruddy' his face just a little more. In all the reference photos I looked at his hair is bushier in back at the nape, actually showing more all around the back of his ear...just undecided here.

I'm to the point that what ever I add will have to stay...there will be no turning back.

Also...just so you know...the black line across his chest is the 'leather' cord for his glasses. It was worn in all the photos taken in this photo session. I included it as I also saw it in others...although now I view the line as distracting. Yet I 'think' I made the right decision.

Anyway...here it is for your critique.

Enjoy


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

A Portrait for My Grandson..."up for critique"

...A Portrait for My Grandson...

carbon pencil on paper, 11x15

IT'S DONE...well at least the major part. I will still spend some time 'tweaking' it in the next couple of weeks. I will be taking it to the framers this week so the frame and matting can be ordered. I will actually need to be done with the 'tweaking' by this weekend as I'll be having it high resolution scanned on Saturday so I can make prints available to the family if they are interested.

The shadows on both faces are much darker than what the camera picked up which is why I always use a scan for prints. Even with a good camera and lens...when there is a lot of contrast, as in this drawing, the subtleties seem to get lost, and the face photographs lighter.

The drawing of Teddy's mother is still considerably darker than Teddy...which keeps her in the background and pushes Teddy's image forward. I had thought I would make her even darker yet...but as I look at it now, I think the balance is really good. (yet I'm not sure you can tell)

*I will post the portrait again once I have the scan done and color corrected...yet even then viewing it on the computer screen is a hit or miss thing. Drawing is all about the subtle shadows...and they never seem to show well here. I always think it's such a shame.

If you read my previous posts about this portrait you will recall that Teddy's mother passed away when he was just five. My mother also passed away when I was five years old and he and I have talked about this often. I wanted this portrait to signify his mother's presence in his life even though she isn't with him anymore.

I spoke with Teddy before starting this drawing...I wanted to make sure he understood the concept I was trying to convey and that it was something he would like to have. This is the first view he will have of the drawing...I hope he approves.

Teddy's opinion will be my ultimate critique.

You can see the original layout of this drawing and my previous post with additional reference photos used at the links included here.

____________________________________

This was truly a drawing done from the heart. The older I get the more I realize the void in my life as a result of my mother's death at such a young age. My father remarried when I was a senior in high school...but by then I was pretty much an adult, or at least thought I was. She was a wonderful woman and the perfect influence for my two younger brothers.

I look at Teddy and my daughter...they are such a blessing. I'm so thankful to have Teddy in my life and so proud of the mother my daughter has become.

I know the photo of this drawing isn't the best...but would love to have your critique and opinion.

Sincerely,
Marsha

Miniature Schnauzer....carbon pencil

...Miniature Schnauzer...

carbon pencil on paper, 8x7
OPEN EDITION prints available
________________________________

Small Open Edition Giclee Print
$40.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
______________________________
Also Available in:
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
______________________________

The Story Behind the Image: This is George. I met George and his owner in the park one evening. While talking with his owner I discovered that her husband had passed away the year before, and that she had acquired George from the humane society to keep her company. George is twelve and Mary his owner is eighty-nine. They were so much fun to watch and so good for each other. I'm not sure just who had the most "attitude" George or Mary. I might add that Mary still lives by herself, except for George of course...and is still driving.

This was a fun drawing to do...but being a schnauzer owner myself, I had some inside advantages when it came to capturing George's saucy personality and devilish eyes.


Links:
Website...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

"The Clubs"...carbon and graphite pencil

...The clubs...

ORIGINAL Carbon and Graphite Drawing on paper
9x7, double matted
_________________________
Original Pencil Drawing
$495
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
__________________________________
Also available in:
Small...open edition Giclee Print @ $40
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
__________________________________

The Story Behind the Image: It was early evening and the mist was rolling into the low places on the course. Everyone was joking and adding up their final scores. The golf bag was just sitting there in the cart. The light reflecting from the club heads and the deep shadows caused by the late day sun were what caught my eye.

I was never very good at this sport, and tonight I was just along for the ride...but for those avid rain or shine golfers, this is drawing is for you.

I used carbon pencil for this drawing...concentrating on the "mood" of the scene. The angle of the setting sun produced wonderful shadows and the fog rolling in added a certain mystery to the drawing...all this and the reflections on the club heads themselves made for what I considered a very interesting setting. I used a piece of felt to create the smoky background and chamois to render the shadows and reflections on the club heads (used some graphite here).


Links:
My Website...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo...Drawing Techniques

Tutorial...see the full progression of this drawing.


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Midnight Rose...carbon and graphite

...Midnight Rose...
carbon and graphite pencil on paper, 7x7
prints available
________________________

Small Open Edition Giclee Print
$40.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
______________________________
Also Available in:
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
______________________________

The Story Behind the Image: Have you ever looked into your rose garden on a warm summer night when there is a full moon. Take a look sometime, you'll find your roses dancing in the moonlight!

I thoroughly got into this drawing. I swear I could almost feel the velvety petals in my mind as I worked. I applied carbon directly to the paper in the deep creases of the petals, using a stump to blend towards the areas touched by the moonlight. I then applied graphite with a chamois square to the brightest highlights and used a 6B carbon pencil to fill in the background.

___________________________

I'm proud to share an exurb from Matthew Merrighn's essay, "The Gray Rose". I sponsor a Literary Contest each year for Young Authors at our local High School ...and Matthew's essay won third place this year. The students must select one of my drawings as their subject and Matthew chose to write about "Midnight Rose". Read all winning entries.

The Gray Rose....by Matthew Merrighn

"The gray Rose is most desired, not for it's beauty, but for it's uniqueness. The Gray Rose Will be immortalized for it's uncommon color. As time progresses, people will realize the greatness of the Gray Rose and in doing so the Gray Rose will become most desired. But only those who first recognized it's significance will have a Gray Rose of their own."
Click here to read Matthew's entire essay.

Links:
My Website...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
Portfolio of Works...learn more about "Midnight Rose"
Literary Contest...introduction to the 2008 Literary Contest
Literary Contest...2008 winning entries
"The Gray Rose"...by Matthew Merrighn


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Perfect Companions...carbon and graphite

...Perfect Companions...
Charcoal and Carbon pencil on paper, 7x9
*This is the companion drawing for "Martini Time"
______________________
Small Open Edition Giclee Print
$40.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
______________________________
Also Available in:
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
______________________________

The Story Behind the Image: I love the smell of a good cigar. The cigar and drink have been "Perfect Companions" for years. I had a special friend who enjoyed his scotch and his cigar...and to this day when ever I catch the pungent fragrance of a cigar I think of him. He would have enjoyed this drawing.

I've always enjoyed drawing glass. The secret is to NOT draw the glass and it's contents but to draw the shadow shapes seen in the glass. I generally use graphite for glass and other reflective objects because graphite itself has a reflective quality and will add this to the drawing. Even when used lightly graphite always has a shine. This is especially noticeable when placed next to carbon or charcoal. In this drawing I used graphite's qualities to my advantage...applying graphite with various blenders until the shape of the glass and the liquid began to take shape on paper. For the cigar, I used carbon pencil. I applied it directly to the paper for the darkest areas and then blended to show the grain and texture of the tobacco leaves.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Major League Dreams...carbon and charcoal

...Major League Dreams...
Charcoal and Carbon pencil on paper, 9x7
*This is the companion drawing for "Batting Practice".
______________________
Small Open Edition Giclee Print
$40.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
______________________________
Also Available in:
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
______________________________

The Story Behind the Image: Major League Dreams was a gift for my ten year old grandson. As with most boys this age, he is an avid baseball fan and an aspiring major league player. I took this photo of him standing on third base, waiting for his opportunity to make the winning run for the game.

I really like the composition of this drawing...I used both charcoal and carbon pencil on the shoes in order to show the different tones and textures of the dark leather. The rest of the drawing is mainly carbon pencil. The socks have many, many, many, layers of carbon, blended with a chamois square and tissue.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Afternoon Tea...carbon and graphite pencil

...Afternoon Tea...

Carbon and Graphite pencil on paper, 9x6, double matted.
Limited Edition of 300
______________________
Limited Edition Giclee Print
$79.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
________________________________________

The Story Behind the Image: I did this drawing as a gift for a dear friend. She faithfully helps me all summer long set up and take down for my art fairs...no small job I might add. She is originally from England, still has her lovely accent and is just a pleasure to be with. You never visit her home but that you are offered a cup of tea.

I love drawing glass because of all the complex shadows and highlights. Carbon pencil was used for the darks and mid-tones, blending with a chamois square into the lighter areas. I used a #B graphite pencil for the reflective portions of the cup to bring those areas forward. Graphite has a natural shine even when used very light. This is especially noticeable when placed next to carbon or charcoal

Afternoon Tea is all about shadows and reflections...the more you look, the more you see. The shadows of the cup and saucer on the table and the light they reflect back into the tea. The shadow of the teabag on the left side of the cup, the small tea leaves that have floated to the top of the tea bag, and the way the string moves down the side of the cup into the saucer...even the tiny tag on the end leaves a shadow on the saucer.

Lastly, and not to be ignored, is the handle on the cup...poised and ready for you to take a sip. It's amazing how something so simple as a cup of tea can be so multi-faceted.


Links:
My Website...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

The Chosen One...carbon and graphite

...The Chosen One...

ORIGINAL Carbon and Graphite Drawing on paper,
7x6, double matted,
___________________________
Original Pencil Drawing
$495.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
_______________________________
Also available in:
Small ...open edition Giclee Print @ $40
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
_______________________________

The Story Behind the Image: This was a particularly enjoyable piece do do...not only because of the subject but because of the story that lead to doing this set-up.

My daughter and I were preparing dinner and my grandson (then around seven) wanted ice cream. I said "dinner will be ready soon, why not have a piece of fruit instead". As boys will be boys...he picked up a fork from the table, "stabbed" the pear and said "I choose this one"!

I later set up the experience from memory as you see in this drawing.

I purposely chose a pear that had been knocked around some. I liked the texture it added to the drawing. It was a great subject...notice how the skin swells around the tines of the fork, the smooth texture of the fork in contrast to the bruising and marks on the pear.

The background is done in carbon as is most of the pear. I used some graphite on the fork to bring out the highlights and enhance the shape.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques



PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

The Fork and Spoon Club...carbon and graphite

...The Fork and Spoon Club...

carbon and graphite on paper, 6x9, double matted,
Limited Edition of 100
______________________________
Limited Edition Print
$79.00
Free Shipping
Buy Now
Secure Purchase...with PayPal
_____________________________________

The Story Behind the Image: I had this image for some time before I actually took the time to lay out the drawing. It was one of the more pains taking drawings that I've done and has proven to be one of my most requested prints. In fact I could have sold the original time and time again.

Viewers comment over and over that The Fork and Spoon Club reminds them of when their children were young and responsible for emptying the dish washer...and I can totally relate.

I used mainly carbon pencil in this drawing, applying it directly to the paper in the darkest areas and using a blender to apply the softer shadow areas. Graphite was used where I wanted to pull the subject forward...as in the reflective bend in the handles and some in the reflective 'bowl' of the spoon.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Abby, asleep on daddy's shoulder...charcoal and graphite

...Abby, asleep on daddy's shoulder...

charcoal and graphite on fine art paper...10x13,
double matted, prints available

The Story Behind the Image: Every summer my church has a "tent service" one evening during the county fair. It was very warm as usual during that time of year and Abby had spent the afternoon enjoying the fair with her daddy. The music was playing and people were singing...I looked over and Abby was sound asleep in her daddy's arms. There was such a trusting peace about the expression on her face and the way she kept snuggling into her daddy's neck. The perfect photo op.

I was just beginning to draw again when I did this portrait. It took several attempts before I captured Abby the way I wanted. I used charcoal and graphite for this drawing...applying charcoal directly to the paper for the darkest areas. The softer shadows were applied with various blenders. The hair ornament was re-created using an electric eraser. I then went back in with charcoal to define the twisted yarns (I was never really satisfied with this first attempt at using an electric eraser...but once done it was done!). Graphite was used to develop the soft shadows on Abby's face and her daddy's shirt.

This portrait has always been a favorite of mine, there is just something special about the relationship a little girl has with her daddy. It brings to mind more secure uncomplicated times.

The drawing, Abby, asleep on daddy's shoulder, is on cream toned fine art paper and presented in a double mat. It is also offered in Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"Abby, asleep on daddy's shoulder"...learn more


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Grapes and Pears...carbon and graphite pencil

...Grapes and Pears...
Carbon and Graphite Pencil on paper...9x7, double matted,
prints available

The Story Behind The Image: This is a more traditional still life arrangement and my latest piece for the 2008 show season. I'd like to say I took the photo but I can't...I found it in the Wet Canvas photo library and immediately knew it would make a great drawing. The shadows and highlights were perfect for my style of work.

I used carbon pencil for the dark background, applying it directly to the paper and blending with a stump until I had complete coverage. For the cloth on the table and other dark shadows, carbon was applied and blended into the lighter areas. The grapes and the lightest areas on the bowl were rendered in graphite...giving them shape and bringing them forward.

The drawing "Grapes and Pears" is on cream toned fine art paper, presented in a double cream toned mat. This piece is offered as an Open Edition Print...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.

Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"Grapes and Pears, a still life"...learn more


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Evelyn Margaret...commissioned portrait

...Evelyn Margaret...

Commissioned Portrait
Carbon and Graphite on Fine Art Paper

The Story Behind The Image: This is part of a commission I did sometime ago. Just thought I would share it with you. Evelyn, 14 at the time, is serene and at peace with her guitar, (which I cropped out). The photo references (seen below) were a revelation to her Grandmother. She realized that at nearly 15 Evelyn's confident and regal demeanor revealed a serious passion about her music. Grandma said that Evelyn was very smart and independent, yet had a playful side that she adored.

I used three reference photos for this portrait. Grandma and I felt the first one was the photo that best personified the attributes she saw in her granddaughter. I to felt the photo was perfect and the subject was beautiful...a true pleasure to draw. I've included all three photo references to better enable you to see the person I saw while working on this commission.

I wanted to make sure that the finished portrait portrayed the serene peaceful young woman that Grandma saw in that moment. As I look at Evelyn's portrait today, I believe you can see the confident passion in her eyes.

I book my commissions in the summer months... scheduling them for completion during the fall and winter. I'm so busy with shows during the summer that I have very little time to work on any drawing...not even for myself. By the time I'm finished in September with my shows, I am really suffering from withdraw! I look forward to my commissioned pieces and begin to plan my new works for the next year. My drawing table is "burning up" with activity.

I hope you enjoyed viewing the reference photos along with the finished portrait. I will try to post more like this in the future. You can follow the link below to "grandma's special present" to learn more about this commission and why it was so special.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
Grandma's Special Present

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Call, Raise, or Fold...carbon pencil

...Call, Raise, or Fold...
Carbon Pencil on paper...7x9, double matted,
prints available

The Story Behind The Image: This was a fun drawing to do. Getting the shadow and light the way I wanted on such a small subject was a challenge but the drawing itself was fairly straight forward. I will admit that the cards were a tad tedious! I drew an uneven line for the card edge and smudged it. I also applied carbon directly to the paper in the darkest areas for the poker chips and blended into the lighter areas using a stump. Call, Raise, or Fold has been quite popular as a print.

The drawing "Call, Raise, or Fold" is on cream toned fine art paper, presented in a double mat, This piece is also offered as an Open Edition print...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"Call, Raise, or Fold"...learn more


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Milk and Cookies...carbon and graphite

...Milk and Cookies...

Carbon and graphite on paper, 7x8, double matted,
prints available
Sold

The Story Behind the Image: My daughter, Tamara, is a pastry chef in New York and these are some of her cookies. The bottle of milk was purchased special for this still life set-up...if you look closely you can see the cream that has floated to the top.

The photo was taken as the morning sun shown through the dining room window. I love the shadows on the glass and bottle of milk...expand the image and you can even see the shadows that the letters in the name "Ronnybrook" made on the milk in the bottle. And then there are of course the cookies...the one on top with the frosting is my favorite.

I took lots of photos as usual and improvised a back drop by using a drawing pad and my grandsons notebook. Oh Yes...I ate the cookies and drank the milk. After all, photography is hard work!

The drawing "Milk and Cookies" is on cream toned fine art paper, and offered in two sizes of Open Edition prints...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"Milk and Cookies"...learn more



PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

"Crab Apple Tea"...work in progress

"Crab Apple Tea" is the last of the new pieces for this season. I usually do 8 to 10 each year during the winter months but this year I had more commissions than usual and spent allot time on the marketing end of the business. As it turned out I'm satisfied that I did the right thing.

I offer prints of most all my drawings. This adds to the overall money invested each season...with the economy the way it is, I've tried to keep my show costs down this year.

For those interested, "Crab Apple Tea" took close to 40 hours to complete, which is why you haven't heard from me much this week. I had to get it done because I had an appointment to have everything high resolution scanned on Wednesday. Made it by the skin of my teeth!

I've done some corrections in photo shop elements and but can't tell what they will look like until posted...so will come back and do subtle corrections at a later date and add more text. It's been a long week so far, going to try to get to bed before midnight for a change.

Hope you enjoy seeing the process,
Marsha


Crab Apple Tea...work in progress photos

Step One...You can see here how exact the line drawing is that I start with. Because I'm using carbon pencil this initial drawing needs to be as exact as possible. I've started laying down 6B carbon in the upper left...blending it until the paper is 100% covered using a stump. You can also see part of the glass outlined...when I'm going to make the background dark like this, I always outline the adjacent subjects using a B or 2B carbon pencil so as to preserve the edges.


Step Two...You can see in this photo how I've progressed around the glass of tea and on down to the table. Outlining the adjacent subjects as I mentioned, will maintain the accuracy of the glass shape, assuring that you don't loose this line while blending.


Step Three...I've begun on the glass (my favorite subject). If you check the image above you will see that this is all about identifying and drawing the shadow shapes. From here on out I will be shading the various smaller shadow shapes found within the the larger shapes outlined in the initial drawing. The darkest areas are applied directly to the paper using a 4 or 6B carbon pencil while the lighter areas are applied with a stump. The base color for the tea was applied using an artist brush.


Step Four...I continued applying carbon with an artist brush, creating the subtle shadows and highlights in the tea and sculpting the shape of the crab apple in the glass. I've started on the cinnamon sticks, making sure not to leave out the reflected highlights on the front of the glass.


Step Five...The glass and the crab apple on the table are pretty well defined at this point. There are still some subtle shadows to incorporate but for the most part I'm satisfied.


Step Six...starting again on the left, I've defined the table and begun on the cut lace doily. To render the wood table, I first made marks with a 6B pencil for the wood grain...then added a solid flow of carbon using first a stump (loaded with carbon) then a chamois. Carbon was applied to the doily, defining the shadow shapes, using a brush. I've also worked a little more on the glass of tea and deepened the shadows on the crab apple laying on the table.


Finished Drawing...This is a camera photo, not the final scan. I should have this drawing posted to my website in the next couple of weeks. The scans are done, I just have to upload and correct them in photo shop. The difference in the amount of detail a high resolution scan captures compared to a photograph is amazing. My camera lens does a good job but just can't compete with the final scan.

Crab Apple Tea will be offered as a print...check my website later for price and availability.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment.

"Old Glory"...work in progress

I've been working on this new piece the last few days. I felt the name was perfect for both the flag and the old basketball and shoes. I hate to admit it but these are the type of basketball shoes that the guys wore when I was in high school! The older I get the more "dated" I feel...and I don't mean that "dinner date" feeling!

...Old Glory...

I took some WIP photos while I was working on the drawing, but didn't take time to computer edit and post until I was finished. I was really in a zone with this one and didn't want to break the rhythm. Hope you enjoy. I realize the lighting isn't very good...had to take these in my studio as I was working at night, still don't have that lighting figured out very well yet! I may come back and use this for a tutorial at a later date, if I do I will work some more on the WIP photos that you see here. The color is a little off and the contrast could be improved...the photos simply need more work, but I wanted to get this posted.

"Old Glory"...step one

You can't tell too much here because this is only the top portion of the drawing...but it is an American Flag draped behind an old worn basket ball with a pair of old basket ball shoes in front. I have the top portion fairly done (for now), and starting to do the shadowed folds of the white stripe behind the basket ball.

"Old Glory"...step 2

I've worked on down the paper, finishing the flag and basket ball (the flag was hard, the ball was fun), and am starting on the shoes to the left. From here on I will be working pretty much left to right in order to keep my hand out of what I've already drawn. These shoes are going to be really time consuming.

"Old Glory"...step three

Well, as you can see "shoe #1, to the left is almost done", I have filled in more of the flag in the background and done some on the toe of the other tennis shoe...working my way down the paper adding some tone value to the foreground.

"Old Glory"...finished drawing

This is the finished drawing...it will sit around a few days before I spray it with fixative. There's aways some final tweaking to be done. Also, keep in mind that these are photos corrected by a not so good "photo shop" person. You'd think that I would eventually get better at correcting the color and lighting...honestly, I don't find it enjoyable, I would rather be drawing!

I'm having all my new pieces high resolution scanned in a couple of weeks and should have them posted on my website by June 1st...then you will be able to see a much better photo with all the subtle detail that a camera photo just cant capture. This one will for sure be offered in Open Edition Prints.

Gotta head back to the drawing board...want to get two more drawings done before I do the scans. Will keep you updated.



Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

My Baby...carbon pencil

...My Baby...

This is another of my first drawings.

carbon pencil on paper, double matted,
prints available
Sold

The Story Behind the Image: I was at the park when I saw this young woman and her new puppy. I watched from a distance while they played, then she picked the puppy up and carried it on her shoulder like a "baby". She would hold it down in her arms , talking to it and giving kisses...then put it back up on her shoulder again. The puppy was a large breed, with a reddish color to it's coat...perhaps a Golden or an Irish Setter. I watched them for a long time, taking lots of photos using a telephoto lens.

She got into her car and left before I could get her name of the name of her "baby". She has no idea this drawing even exists. I was really disappointed as I had some great shots of her kissing her puppy that couldn't be used without a release. I've thought of them often. It was a very touching moment, witnessing the love between this young women and her puppy.

The drawing "My Baby" is on cream toned fine art paper, presented in a double mat and also offered in two sizes of Open Edition Prints...check my Portfolio for availability of the Original and prices.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
"My Baby" ...learn more


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment