Baby Max

Baby Max
graphite on bristol
14x11 - sold

Just in time for Christmas - a beautiful baby boy!  I finished laying in the shading, blending more on the skin, and let this one rest overnight.  With fresh eyes this morning, I added a bit of eye highlight, deepened a couple of shadows, and blended just a bit more.  This baby is ready for delivery!

New Work - Day 2

New Work - Day 2
Graphite on Bristol

Here, I have started to fill in the shading on the clothing using the side of my graphite lightly.  I will next use a pressed blending tool to smooth out the fabric.  I never touch the paper with my hands.  I lay clean paper over the area I have already worked to ensure that the oils from my hands don't get onto the paper.  If this does happen, it changes the way the paper accepts the graphite - making it very hard to get even coloration.  Though, I started out by smudging with my fingers - I haven't done that now for years.  This way is much cleaner, and the end product is much nicer.

First Day of New Work :)

Max - Day 1
Graphite on Bristol

I started this little darling last night, after the countless Christmas duties.  I worked into the wee hours - simply because I love the feel of my pencils in my hand.  It is so relaxing - like a little mini-vacation in the midst of a busy season.....So far, I have only drawn in the base lines with a mechanical pencil, and started in on the facial features with my favorite 8b graphite.  I have only started to add shading to the hands, and I will try to fill out the line work today.  This is the perfect day for it - since we are snowed in!!

Karl and Kaden

Karl and Kaden
16x20 graphite on bristol
sold

The bonds that tie are such a compelling subject for me.  This is the companion portrait to the "Kat and Chloe" of the last post.  I love drawing mothers and babies, but I also love the father-baby bond.  There is no relationship as tender as that of a parent and child.  This piece was also executed mainly with an 8B pencil.  I like to use a variety of paper tortillions to blend and shade the flesh areas of the faces and hand.  I additionally use a mechanical pencil for the lash and brow work - once I have shaded in the main areas.  Once I feel like the portrait is finished, I spray it lightly with workable fixative to prevent amy smudging of the graphite.  I also try very hard not to touch the bristol with my hands as I work.  If the oil from my skin gets onto the paper, it changes the way those spots accept the lead.  If I decide more work is needed, I simply continue drawing, always finishing with a fixative on top.

Kat and Chloe

Kat and Chloe
graphite on bristol - sold

It is so easy to draw someone I know - especially when she is one of the sweetest friends I have ever had the pleasure of knowing!  She is pictured here with her new little bundle of joy.  There is something about the bond of motherhood that draws me in like no other - almost as if I am compelled to capture it with pencil and paper.  I used my favorite vellum bristol and did the majority of work with my trusted 8B water-soluable pencil.  Perhaps as little as 5% of this drawing was executed with my other various pencils.  They are simply not needed.  When I reach the point where I can almost feel my subject breathe, I lay my pencil down, step back from the paper, and take a long look.  I let it rest until the next day, and look again.  If I am still satisfied, I sign it, and look towards the next piece.

No Greater Gift

No Greater Gift
graphite on bristol
sold

From beginning to end, this was an absolute joy to draw!  I have gently bumped up the contrast by deepening the darks, trying to keep   it all soft and balanced as I work.  If I apply too much, I simply pull it back out with my favorite pink eraser (yes - the one we used in grade school!)  I have many erasers - but this is my "go-to" one - always.  The very last thing I do is to take a small sable brush lightly dipped in water to the darkest lines.  I know it sounds crazy - but this is the real benefit of using water-soluable graphites.  It darkens the darks even more, for a more life-like result.  What better way to spend the day?

First Day of New Work

graphite on bristol - 11x14

It feels SO GOOD to pick up my tried and true graphites again!  It is just like slipping into a warm blanket with a hot cup of tea!  The "mother and child" subject matter is one of my absolute favorites - so this day has been very rewarding.  I begin with my line drawing, then I focus in on the most important facial features - eyes, lips, noses.  Once I am satisfied with this foundation, I spread out from there.  I use mainly an 8B water-soluable graphite pencil for this work.  I have dozens of others, and may pick up a different one for lashes and brows, but the creamy soft lead is by far my favorite.  Tomorrow, I will lay in the rest and start to deepen the darks for good contrast.

Mother & Babe

I drew this in graphite on bristol of my oldest daughter and my first grandchild, Alan.  She was comforting him in the front hall when I captured the reference image.  Drawing is very natural to me, it is as if I don't even have to think while I lay down the strokes.  It is the first medium I remember picking up long before preschool.  By the time I was in kindergarten, I had been drawing for years.  I love the feel of pencil on paper, the way it blends into the best skin shades.  It is the root of where all art begins for me.  Each piece begins with a sketch, and blossoms from there.

See this one on display at the Kansas City Club at the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society Juried Show, Public Openings Sept. 21 & Oct. 9, 6:00-9:00.

Mother & Babe
16x20 graphite on bristol
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