Sketchbook: Bienfang Bristol Vellum paper
Media: STÆDTLER Graphite pencils
As a developing artist in portraiture, I have always wondered what an ideal and challenging reference portrait would entail. Could it be an elderly face where the mien is calm as the sea, and its wrinkles are like estuaries of flowing grace, or could it be the face of an adorable child with dimples that could entomb and smother likes of the Great Depression? The truth is, nothing is ever ideal, but my recent reference portrait is just as close as one can get. The partial eye squints, subtle wrinkles, freckles, dimples, smile connecting bulging cheeks, and pigtails, capture what I believe would be an artist’s dream in terms of realism studies, and trust me, it didn’t disappoint in difficulty given the challenging circumstances.
For this drawing, I had to make use of graphite pencils and Bristol vellum paper, as I did for my Bristol Baby sketch, but this was with a telling twist. I came across several YouTube tutorials that suggested that the back of a Bristol vellum paper is the most ideal for drawings as it is coarser and has more tooth which any preferred medium would love to cling onto, so, I decided to give this a try. However, this proved frustrating early on as it required lots of graphite layers to fill the coarse regions of the paper, and therefore translated to more hours of drawing compared to my Bristol Baby sketch. Hopes and smiles I had of drawing this portrait had become spotted, hence the figurative name of this blog post. It ultimately turned out to be the test of my patience levels in art, and you should have witnessed the sigh of relief I gave off when I completed the drawing; Phew! I was pleased with the final portrait at long last, and to be honest, I could not care less about how tedious the means to the drawing was, as long as it is justified in the end.
Notwithstanding though, feel free to use this surface for your artworks, and do let me know of your experiences.
Cheemnonso™
You captured youth and age within the face. Much darker, there is something sinister in that face beyond the smile. 🤨
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Indeed😂. The dark background couldn’t even help matters.
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You just keep getting better with every single sketch of yours, Nonso!!
There is this uncanny, raw charm and maturity reflected in those tad wrinkles.
So beautiful ✨
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Thank you so much for finding the sketch beautiful, Ana😊. Hopefully, it continues to get better🤞
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You capture character so well. Love the detailed explanation of the artistic process.
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Thanks Catherine. I’ve always felt it’s good to share the artistic process even though it may not be all rosy. Glad you love it though😊.
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Really like the detailed expression.
Art
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Thanks Art. Glad you liked it.
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Very nice sketch
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Thank you, Shristy. You have lovely Mandala artworks as well👍.
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Thank you soo much
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This is WONDERFUL!!! Thank You and Cheers! 💕
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I thank you more, Katy, for your spurring remark, and for also being an amazing artist. Cheers!
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Oh gosh! It’s my pleasure, Cheemnonso! And Thank You for Your sweet remark! Cheers!!! 🤗❤️😊
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Well done! So much personality! I feel like I’ve just met this young one with the twinkle in her eye! And you write beautifully! Really appreciated learning about your process for this! I love hearing other people’s creative journeys, complete with challenges as well as satisfaction when the challenges have been met and worked thru to the success of the piece (whatever kind of creative expression it may be)!
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Indeed! I’m a firm believer that not a single being just breezed through any success story he/she achieved without overcoming a few loopholes here and there(If they exist, then it’s just a select few); but, I feel that learning the challenges people face towards an achievement would place them in a better position to successfully address and complete their individual tasks.
I’m glad you liked the creative process and my writing. You’re also a magnificent writer as well, and I look forward to reading more of your haikus and posts in general🤞.
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Too good to be called a sketch. Definitely a drawing. Love how you have kept the graphite sharp and detailed. 2B or softer?
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Thanks for acknowledging that my drawings have transcended sketches; Just have that culture of calling every drawing of mine sketches right from when I started.
As for the pencils, I made use of 2H, HB, 2B, 4B and 8B for the darkest parts.
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