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!!