"Valjean, Study in Charcoal"
 

Charcoal and white NuPastel on Strathmore, 16 x12.

One of three portraits (others are in pastel, same pose, and oil, different pose, 3/4 figure) I have done of the actor Robert Chernak, in his role as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. A fantastic actor with a glorious voice, this image, I thought, captured his portrayal of the world-weary Valjean.

Dear Chris,

Your work inspires me...lovely. geri

p. s. Please post the others.

Chris,

This is just beautiful. I like the placement of the subject on the paper and the use of the toned paper within the piece. It is toned isn't it? The light green maybe?

Yes, very nicely done. I too like the use of the toned paper.

Thank you, all. Yes, the paper is Canson's "Sand", which is gray with a pronounced warm green cast to it.

One of the things I have learned in this process is to complete the charcoal (at least 99%), and to use fixative BEFORE pulling out the highlights with the NuPastel. The fixative seems to cause the white to evaporate, so that it needs to be restated anyway.

Beautiful! How many teachers or years did it take you Chris to get such an understanding of value and color? Are you more left brain? Incredible!

I'll be seeing Mr. Valjean, Friday night. :)

Thanks, Beth.

I've been seriously working at portraiture for about twelve years. I truly work every day on gaining a better understanding of value and color, and how they constantly relate throughout the painting. I am so very fortunate to have found some wonderful teachers, all here at the Scottsdale Artist's School!

Regarding left brain, probably an equal split, as I spent seventeen years in healthcare strategic planning and quantitative analysis. I always thought it was intellectually similar to portrait painting, but I am not sure my boss could really see my point.

Thank you again, and enjoy the play!