First, we were taught how to keep a portrait in proper perspective using measurements (based on the size of the subject's eye) and strategically placed guidelines. This is my mapped-out rendition of Denzel Washington, in case it is not immediately apparent who it is, LOL --
Then we were taught how to shade a portrait using graphite powder, graphite pencils and various erasers for highlighting. My apologies to Bono, who I believe in real life actually has ears --
I quite like this little African girl which we also did in graphite powder, pencil and eraser, but alas! Her one wonky, off-kilter eye shows that my measuring sucked. D'oh!
I had better luck with this dog, done in the next technique we learned of using charcoal pencil together with charcoal powder made from grating a charcoal stick.
This elephant was done in white charcoal powder and white charcoal pencil on black paper. It turned out much better than I thought it would when I started. But again my measurements were off and I made the image too big on the paper. As a consequence, I had no room to put the baby elephant's face that was supposed to be down by mama's trunk. Math has never been my strong suit. Forgive me, Baby Dumbo.
This zebra has what seemed at the time to be a gazillion layers of graphite pencil applied to it. My right arm was sore the next day from all that exertion.
We did this portrait on the last day of class to learn how to use sanguine conté crayon (grated to a powder) together with sanguine conté pencil. Since time was short, screw measuring -- I just drew the giraffe freehand. This has turned out to be one of my favourites! I love the look and warmth of the reddish conté on the cream coloured paper.
We obviously had a very good teacher for this class -- a talented young Edmonton artist named Suzanne Lamoureux. I am currently taking another class from her -- "Sketching in Pen and Ink" -- at the art school where she teaches. So I may have some more artwork to post in a while.
Thanks to My Rare One who let me use a bunch of her art supplies for the ELLA course and who also took the photos of my drawings for this post! *smooch*
55 comments:
Very cool!
I especially like Bono (ears or not) and the doggie.
The giraffe is also cool. Because I cannot draw to save my life at first I was like, that’s freehand? And ran to get a pencil.
XoXo
Wow! And wow! And wow! You have been keeping your talent hidden. They are amazing. I am in awe.
Gosh, you must be so delighted with these. They don't look anything like the artwork of a beginner - well done complete with gold star to you.
These are amazing Debra! I am quite impressed! The giraffe is my favorite.
Very nice. You've done much better than I did. Awesome drawings.
Debra they are amazing! Oh my gosh you have been hiding this from us ! You are an amazing artist, beautiful work and such beautiful sketching, and shading, oh my gosh,, I sure hope you are enjoying this new hobby because you are a natural! Beautiful work! You will have to join paint party fridays! And Rains Thursday art date! I have to go show Garry !
Hello Debra, You are amazing. I could never do anything to approach these, even with all the measurements in the world. I am glad you are taking the follow-up class; drawing is a great skill to have.
--Jim
Those are so good.
I love the African girl, even if you say her eye is wonky--I don't.
And the elephant is beautiful.
Would you do a skull for me? Please? The white graphite on the black paper would be amazing. Sounds like a great class - love all the interesting techniques you learned. You pictures are lovely.
You've done some wonderful drawings!
Wait a minute....I thought you said you were a beginner! These are just fabulous!
Goodness, Debra! This is super impressive. I love the giraffe and the good old pup best.
Also, I'm sure Bono has no ears. I saw it in a drawing.
Holy shit! These are really awesome!. Before taking this class did you draw at all? I mean to tell ya these are really so much better than my artwork. You are very talented. I'm glad you are taking more art classes. Really great stuff!! I wish I had just a smidgen of your talent.
These are beautiful!! And they certainly don't look like they were done by a beginner!
I can't wait to see more!
I can draw comic strip-type art (having my own strip was a fantasy of mine growing up) but nothing "realistic", so I really am impressed by these.
Wow, I think you are too hard on yourself. I can barely draw a proper happy face stick figure so you're an artistic master to me!
Good for you with continued learning, when I move back to the city I want to try going back to school.
I'd be really pleased with myself if I'd done those.
Great work. I think you did so well. I didn’t see a wonky eye! Love the giraffe.
Tres lovely! Nice to see you did not go Picasso :) I've never learnt how to do shading with pencil, sadly, it remains a mystery for me! Giraffe needs to be framed and put on the wall!
You must have had both an innate talent and a great teacher. These are wonderful! I would be very happy if I had produced them. And, stop being so hard on yourself - the little girl is perfect and Bono doesn't have ears anyway.
Baby Dumbo will forgive.
The dog is my favorite but all them are worth keeping.
@ EVERYONE -- Thank you for your kind words! When I was a kid and then a teenager, I drew a lot as a hobby but I never had any formal art lessons. I just drew freehand using a pencil or (once) charcoal. When I went to university and then into the workforce, I stopped drawing because I didn't have time or energy for it anymore. So now in retirement, I am taking my first formal drawing lessons. Every technique and every art supply was new to me in Suzanne's course. Even the charcoal techniques and tools were new and advanced from 40 years ago when I tried to use charcoal on my own. I am thrilled to finally be getting professional instruction!
@ Lady M -- A skull in white charcoal on black paper would be fun to try! I'll put it on my "hopefully to do" list!
i agree with leanna...holy shit! no wonder you stuck to this class. class or no class you have talent girl!
Wow! I'm impressed, Debra! You have talent, and it's wonderful that you are getting to indulge in art! Those darn careers that drain us of time and energy! That's what happened to my writing while I was teaching. It's great to be retired and realizing some dreams! Have a good one!
Those are fabulous! I love the little girl and the zebra and giraffe! You're making me want to see if I can find a course near me.
blessings
~*~
OMG, friend D … those pics are beautiful …. But at the same time I have to confess, that I took 2 classes in arts and failed both miserably … 1 was piano and the teacher didn't like me playing my own versions … 2 was graphic design … I can draw anything in pencil within a split second … but absolutely can not follow directions from some teacher. So I stopped classes … smiles … Anyway, good for you and happy for you, friend D. Much love, cat.
No offence, but I thought at first that Denzel Washington was Mr Spock. Or Tuvok, rather. I quite like the African girl too, and Bono's portrait.
DEBRA you're AWESOME!!!! Omg...Bono should be proud, and the dog...oh how wonderful! You are a great artist!!! xx
my friend sassybear would LOVE that giraffe! and you CAN draw like a boss! I can't even draw a str8 line with a ruler!
Wow. You did great. I have never understood how to draw but you have picked it up so quickly. I'm glad you are on to the next class. Learning is life's best gift to us. I look forward to seeing more drawings.
Such a fun selection. And major props on the free-hand giraffe. :)
Dumbo or not I love the elephant. I am imagining what you could do with portraits of my HFH. You got some talent madame!
Oh my flippin' gosh, Debra, these are so cool! Beautifully done. Now I have the urge to go find me some art classes! Damn...
These are wonderful. I hope your Rare One has them proudly displayed on her fridge.
ELLA sounds wonderful ideal. Keeping the mind shape and exercising those cells.
I believe once here in Idaho you turn 65 one can take college course with out any cost
One of local ladies Lenora (deceased) who start college in her late eighties or early nineties had a law name after her for seniors to attend college with out cost.
I understand she had so much to contribute to her classes and pulled straight A's
Speaking as someone who has tried to learn to draw, these are really impressive. The elephant is kind of spooky, in fact. I'm glad you're continuing with another class.
holy crap...you really are talented..you did such a great job..
Draw me an impressed.
Love,
Janie
Great art
my art looks like my hands were taken over by parkinsons
These came out amazing! LOL, I didn't notice the missing ears until you pointed them out. Measuring was one of the tougher things for me to do back when I took art in college. I think I want to try an art class again at some point though. I just need Hermione's time-turner to do it. :D
WOW!!! I love all of them! These are wonderful and i especially liked Bono and the dog. The zebra is perfect. So cool that you took a class on a subject you enjoy and got so much out of it. You should be very proud
These are wonderful!!! Great job :-) Hope you are having a wonderful week :-)
Blessings,
Jill
You have some mad artistic chops, Debra. I especially like Bono and African Girl. Wonderful work.
WAHOO! These are AWESOME! Good for you. My favorite is the elephant -- it looks so dramatic and powerful.
Just wonderful.
WOW..They are great..you are quite talented..Great portraits (Bono)..love the Elephant...Good job
Dear Debra i can't find words to praise your art work !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you mesmerized me with your stunning talent ,
it was hidden in you and how sublimely it made it's way out when you shake your fertile brain :)))
LOVED LOVED LOVED each of you portrait but African child and the dog just hold my heart tooooo long!
very powerful art indeed dear friend!
heartiest congratulations for BRILLIANT outcome !
hugs!
Oh dear Debra, you have a gift! These are absolutely wonderful!!!
I love these. You really explore alot of different things. How is that sword work going.
These are all fabulous!
Well done! They're all wonderful and it looks as though you really enjoyed the course. Lovely to find just the right class and teacher so quickly! Being talented probably helps!!
I liked the elephant the best
Deb, first I have to apologize for coming around so late! My days and nights seem to be running into each other, as I am getting ready for my trip.
My friend, I am truly in "awww"!! You are amazing girl! Art is in your soul! Let it shine Deb! Please let it shine! I love all these pieces you did! I really do! Don't be so hard on yourself! We all have off kilter eyes! LOL! Deb, my heart is smiling, thank you!!! You are a natural born artist!!! Big Hugs!
Nice.
Post a Comment