Here is a portrait sketch I did, an 11 x 14, pencil on paper, a commission that would be given as a gift. I combined two images into one drawing.
The subjects? A beautiful woman and her two beautiful daughters...
In this I used a variety of pencils ranging from 6B to 2H. The 6B was used for the dark values like the hair, clothing and eyes, and the 2H was for the skin. By using these different pencil leads, you can build up the contrast, without putting down too many strokes on your paper. Too much graphite on your paper can make it look shiny, which distracts from the presentation. Sometimes it can even wrinkle your paper!
It also helps to use a high quality paper like strathmore--which has some "tooth" to accept the graphite, and enough strength to resist tearing small holes when you erase an area a lot.
For every good pencil stroke I put down, I have to erase at least three bad ones, so to have a high quality paper is essential!
Hope you enjoyed this post and have a blessed day,
If you like this post, please upvote, follow and resteem. I post regularly on art, tips on painting and drawing, and encouraging thoughts.
See more of my artwork at: MattPhilleo.com
nice work @mattphilleo, i like it, the distribution of light and dark is perfect, keep on the good work.
Thank you, Jacob! I try to make sure my values are accurate. That's the best way to create realism.
you are right, values are everything, i am drawing portraits too, but using a different style ( dry brush ) to achieve more realism and more control over values, i will try to post something in the near future, happy new year 2018 ;-)
Very nice drawing. You are cool.
Thanks, Sunray. It's hard not to be cool when you live in northern Wisconsin and it's wintertime. :) God has blessed me, and I'm looking forward to all the good things, and sharing here on Steemit in 2018! You have a blessed year too.
This looks so alive....amazing work!
Thanks. It's always my goal to capture that "special something" in each person as I draw or paint them. And that is what I pray for before I put a pencil or brush to paper or canvas.
Wow this is excellent.
Thanks, Offgrid!
If possible, do see my recent portrait drawing post..