Just Thinking....what can I do next?

"Grandma's Boy"
Watercolor on Paper

8x7

This is Wil...the first grandson of one of my friends. I'm not sure this is quite as good as my last watercolor portrait. It seems a tad overworked in a couple of places yet it does resemble him nicely.

Will has the most beautiful little 'pursed' mouth and gorgeous hazel eyes. There was so many colors in his eyes that it was hard to get them all in. I really struggled with his hair...you know me and my thing for detail. I almost blew it here!!

Anyway...here it is, one more portrait for you to take a look at. Enjoy

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Psalm 37:25
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Psalm 37:24-26 (in Context)

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An Afternoon at the Races

Christina Xamis
Watercolor on paper
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MY FIRST WATERCOLOR PORTRAIT

The photo used for this painting was actually given to me to use as reference for a commissioned pencil drawing. I thought it was a perfectly captured moment in time. Christina and a friend were on a European Holiday and took in the horse races...fancy hats and all.

Her friend took this photo as Christina learned her horse had just won the race. You can see the racing card and pen still in her hand and you can almost feel her spontaneous surprise and excitement. Christina has the most beautiful eyes...and yes, all those lashes are hers.

I've been antsy of late to try a watercolor portrait. One of my big challenges with watercolor is to not always try to control it. I keep wanting to correct those little watercolor mishaps...you know, the stuff that makes watercolors beautiful. (it must be the realistic pencil artist residing inside me). It's really difficult to just walk away from the painting and QUIT..before I muddy it up.

For my first portrait I'm happy...only hope I can do another one before I forget what I did here:)

Christina's parents and their family are out of town for the holidays and have not yet seen this painting yet. If they want, I will still do a pencil drawing...in fact I may do one anyway as my pencils have been screaming at me for some time now.

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Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:10-11

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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)

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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)

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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.
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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.

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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
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Small Open Edition Giclee Print
$40.00
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Also Available in:
Large...open edition Giclee Print @ $49
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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

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

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

Commissioned Portrait...Inga

...Inga Perdita...
Carbon and Graphite on Cream Tone Paper
Commissioned Portrait

Inga, age 2, was all dressed up as "Tinkerbell" at her sisters costume birthday party. Grandma captured this moment as Inga purposely avoided her request for a smile.

As we talked more about Inga, I learned she had a quiet, spunky, independent, and sometimes wary nature. The portrait of Inga was just part of Grandma's Special Present her children received that year for Christmas.

The finished portrait reflects Inga's personality perfectly. You can almost hear an audible 'no' in response to grandma's request for a smile. You can actually feel the moment.

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The Story Behind The Image..."Tinkerbell's" wings were a bit of a challenge. I used graphite to give them a translucent appearance and some shine. I also used a little graphite on her cheek and forehead to pull them forward. Carbon pencil was used for the rest of the drawing and applied with various blenders except in the darkest areas where I applied 6B carbon directly to the drawing paper.

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I'm Booking Commissions Now...for later this year (October-December) and the first part of 2009 (January-March). I do my commission work in the fall and winter months, heading out to exhibit at Art Fairs during the spring and summer months.

I only have time for 8-10 Commissioned Pieces each year and I'm generally booked by the end of summer. You can learn more about the commission process at this link. The process isn't difficult but it does take time. After all, we're creating an heirloom that will be passed down through generations to come. If this is something you want, together we can make it happen.


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

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