first attempt at a self-portrait

[Menolly]

Hey y'all. This is a project I'm working on for my life drawing class - which is a challenge in itself, since I never took drawing lessons and never worked with charcoal before this class. I'd love any feedback you can give me, as I'm sort of flying by the seat of my pants here.

[Riaan Marais]

It takes a lot of courage to do self-portraits. You did it nicely.

There are only two things that bother me. The top of the head could be a little higher. Remember that the eyes are on the half line between chin and crown. The second thing is the hair. I presume that you have rather dark hair. Try not to draw individual hairs, rather draw strands. Concentrate on the shadows and remember to leave ample highlights (white paper) where the light catches your hair. Keep strong white patches in the hair even for black hair!

My critique is NOT meant to harm! I hope you see the good in my comment!?

[Menolly]

I absolutely appreciate the criticism! And actually, I made the hair way too dark by mistake; I keep using too much pressure with the charcoal and making dark marks where I shouldn't. When I go back through and fix the hair shading, I'll work in your suggestions with the hair and the line of the head, and post it when I'm done.

If anyone else has any thoughts, I'm listening!

[kcortese]

Your off to a good start. Your instructor SHOULD teach you how to layout the human face for drawing. That's not your fault.

Charcoal is a wounderfull medium to work with, you can get some great shading without putting down so many lines. You are working too hard with it.

like Riaan said:

Try not to draw individual hairs, rather draw strands. Concentrate on the shadows and remember to leave ample highlights (white paper) where the light catches your hair. Keep strong white patches in the hair even for black hair!

Practice on a sheet of paper, make a circle of charcoal, now take your finger starting at the line, and smear it inward and work it to look a ball. You'll see how to work charchoal.

Did your instructor tell you about blending sticks or kneaded eracers? Don't know what they are teaching you, but I think the person should give you some techniques to work with. That would help you a great deal.

Good luck, and most importantly, have fun with it.

Karen

[Menolly]

Thanks for the tips. In my instructor's defense, though, I was supposed to take a drawing class before sigining up for life drawing, but the registrar's office failed to list the prerequisite. I suspect a lot of the charcoal techniques I'm struggling with were taught in the drawing class. Keep up the advice; it's a big help!

[krysta11]

I am sure you are going to be very good with portraits. Like the way you drew hands. I went to drawing classes and still can't draw. I believe all tips and suggestions from artists like Riaan and Karen will help you a lot.
All the best Menolly
krysta

[kcortese]

You may want to take the drawing class too. Try to register and take both classes. You will learn valuable tips and techniques in the drawing class wich would simplify things for you.

Karen

[Menolly]

I'll probably pick up a drawing class next semester, or over the summer if I can. I'm already taking five classes, and completely dependent on financial aid to cover the costs, so it's not really feasible this semester.

[weirdpuckett]

I think that this is very good! Your line work aint bad and it's coming along just fine.Keep going on it! Post when progress is made! We'll be waiting!

[Menolly]

I fixed the hair, so it's blond now. I plan to do some major work on it over the weekend. I have two other sketches in progress for my next assignment, also based on self-portraits; one will be my face heavily aged and the other will be dressed up like a cele
ity (tastefully, don't panic). I think I'll post them in a new thread once I have some progress made.

[krysta11]

Menolly , darling,

You are beautiful!!!!!
All the best
krysta

[Riaan Marais]

Excellent!!! Show us the others as soon as possible!

Keep well.
Riaan

[kcortese]

MY! What a fast learner you are! You have natural talent, keep it up.

Good job! Can't wait to see more of your work.

Karen

[Menolly]

I finally have it just about done. I think I might go back and even out the shading in the jacket and around the fingers, but not right now; it's time to turn my attention to my next pieces. (I already lost a lot of time - I screwed up the shading on the face when I went to darken the shadows and changed the whole expression and lost half the weekend fixing it.)

Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts I'd love to hear them. And feel free to criticize; if there's something wrong, I'd rather know!

[weirdpuckett]

The only question I have is what did you look at to draw this? Please post if it was a photo . . . .

[Menolly]

i used my reflection in a mirror

[weirdpuckett]

are u left handed?

[Menolly]

Yep.

[weirdpuckett]

I thought u were a lefty! The drawing turned out good. The thing(s) that caught my eye right off were the eyes-they seem to need some highlights and also, the inside off collar around neck seems to need some defining lines to show where the skin and clothing are seperate.

Other than these two items, It's complete and great! (correct me if the highlights thing is wrong)

[Riaan Marais]

I think you did a great job. Remember that drawing portraits is all about exercise. You need to keep practicing even if you are a seasoned professional artist.

Riaan