Portrait of 'Thanya'
 

Hi, just finished this one. It went fairly quick as I was able to get the majority of it done at work. Taking my drawings to work is a great way to get new models. :cool: Anyhow, it's graphite with white pastel highlights, on 18" x 12" Canson. The color is 'Moonstone', smooth side. Comments or critiques welcome. Thanks for looking.

Jimmie,

You KNOW that I know you are THE MAN from my wailing and hailing at other sites. However, please remind me of a couple of things. Do you use photo references as well as live sittings (or standings in this case)? Hmmm? And - I'm an old airbrush guy from way back - did I see your work in Airbrush Action mag?

Oh, one more: do you ever feel guilty for so completely capturing souls inside your 2 dimensional surfaces?

Gear.....bowing and exits.....

Great job Jimmie! I love the unfinished, stray, loose lines you have incorporated in the last few pieces you have shown. This creates a nice focal point and keeps some what of a loose feel to the drawing. Nice work again!

Jimmie, "Thankya" for sharing, as always you are the master with a pencil or charcoal in hand! :thumbsup:

Most of the good people here already feel the way I do about your work, Jimmie. Truly, you are getting great character with great style in each and every one of your works. I can already see your technical facility charging ahead. And this goes hand in hand with your increasing speed of production.

Perhaps someone has said this already, but let me venture to say that the quality of your work changes the predisposed attitude that a valuable and "serious" portrait needs to be an oil painting. This work stands toe to toe with any opaque paint media.

I appreciate very much each piece you post here... and I look forward very much to the next one.

Geez, Jimmie. You are amazing. I always hesitate to write in, because others express their admiration of your work so much better than I ever could. However, I just wanted to let you know you have another fan out there....

Thank you all very much.
Sad to say it's all from reference. I usually work from 11pm-3am which makes it hard, plus paying someone to sit for me is not affordable at this point. My boss has been very cool about letting me do personal stuff at work, he even lets me take the pics at the shop. As far as the airbrushing, I only had a small thing in the 'reader's section' which I thought was bull****. They said my work was too risque. My best friend, Javier Soto, is an 'airbrush getaway' instructor, and he says the mag's publisher still mentions my work. Sorry, that's my bitterness showing. Don't feel guilty at all, i might feel like a Batman villain tho.

Tee-hee-hee, you're corny and I like popcorn with butter.

That's one of the nicest things I've ever heard about my work, thank you.

Every comment is appreciated regardless of it's eloquence. I don't use that word many times.

Thanks again everyone.

Jimmie,

Another winner! Your technique seems to get better, but, what you consistently bring is what must be an inherent ability to compose your model. This is a huge natural asset, and in my opinion, the most difficult to learn or teach. This strength will no doubt follow you into whatever medium you choose to tackle.

Always a pleasure,

Mike

Jimmie,

Well, if someone accused me of drawing from life from viewing my drawings - and they really were drawn from photos only - I definitely would take that as a happy thing - don't be sad - that's a huge compliment! :D

That little twist in her body and the way you backed up her left arm around her back is also giving your drawing energy, life etc. Her gaze is very intent - great job!

Nice work young guy!!

Denise

Thanks Mike and Denise,

I sure do hope so!

Aww, I just wish I could draw from life. I'm sure there's an intimacy that I can't capture.

Thanks again.