6 Self-Portraits/Life Drawings
Charcoal
The process for each of the charcoal drawings began with a light sketch to lay the base proportions of each picture. The layers of charcoal were slowly built up, first using light pressure and careful finger-smudging, then using strokes with more pressure to add value. The white conté crayons contrasted against the toned paper and the dark values of the charcoal, creating a stark highlight that could be blended into a softer glow.
The process for each of the charcoal drawings began with a light sketch to lay the base proportions of each picture. The layers of charcoal were slowly built up, first using light pressure and careful finger-smudging, then using strokes with more pressure to add value. The white conté crayons contrasted against the toned paper and the dark values of the charcoal, creating a stark highlight that could be blended into a softer glow.
Graphite
The graphite on paper portrait began with a light sketch to proportion the face correctly according to a reference picture. Similar rules apply from charcoal to graphite, although graphite is harder to smudge with a finger. The blending had to be done more gradually and using layered crosshatching.
The graphite on paper portrait began with a light sketch to proportion the face correctly according to a reference picture. Similar rules apply from charcoal to graphite, although graphite is harder to smudge with a finger. The blending had to be done more gradually and using layered crosshatching.
Adobe Photoshop
A self-portrait digitally painted in Adobe Photoshop using a picture of myself as reference. First, I sketched the proportions on a separate canvas, then laid a set of base colors down for the skin, hair, and facial features. Then, using both custom colors and colors eyedropped from the original picture, I "painted" using a brush brush on 60% opacity.
A self-portrait digitally painted in Adobe Photoshop using a picture of myself as reference. First, I sketched the proportions on a separate canvas, then laid a set of base colors down for the skin, hair, and facial features. Then, using both custom colors and colors eyedropped from the original picture, I "painted" using a brush brush on 60% opacity.