Monday, November 17, 2008

Charcoal portrait

JF - in progress
charcoal 9 x 12
copyright Jeanette Jobson

As I've mentioned, I'm participating in a portrait swap in WetCanvas and have been working on mine for a few days. Its in charcoal on mi-tientes paper. This is a little glimpse into what is emerging from my paper.

I'm considering doing a piece in colour, but I'll see how this turns out. I was initially not completely happy with the likeness tonight, but it came around after I tweaked it a bit more This image is the second stage, I've added more definition to it tonight.

I'll let it sit for a day or so and see what I think. I also love being able to stand back from it in my studio and contemplate angles, proportion, etc.

8 comments:

Rose Welty said...

Lovely Jeanette! Definitely a strength of yours...

S.G. Chipman said...

Absolutely heading in the right direction, Jeanette - I've always been a fan of this style of drawing where the paper pigment acts as the mid-tone. I'm just not any good at it, but I know a good one when I see it!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks Rose, I really enjoy drawing portraits.

I'm very fond of toned paper for portraits Steve,they give a certain quality to the finished piece - almost a reach back in time in some ways.

Anonymous said...

I just love the way you carefully select only enough shadows and highlight without saying too much. Just wonderful!

Ilaria said...

I think this is very subtle and says just enough

yakov_studio said...

Hi Jeanette,
This is a nice solid drawing. I will be following your progress. Are you using chalk for highlights? It looks like you people are having fun there on wetcanvas.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Tracy, I like the process of drawing and seeing what I can achieve with subtlety.

Thank you Ilaria. The toned paper helps move it along quickly.

Thanks Yakov. Yes it is chalk for the highlights - charcoal white to be precise.

I wish you could have taken part in the portrait swap this year. I'd love to see you develop a piece from the ground up.

Satish said...

Jeanette, this is a beautiful piece of work. I've never tried one on a wet canvas. Your sketch look so real.