Drawing/Painting Assignment

Patricia Joyce · 09-11-2004, 02:54 AM

My first painting project for this class is to copy a master. I would put this in masterwork study but really I need a drawing critique. This is my value sketch. I have also completed the full scale cartoon which I will use to transfer the drawing to the canvas. I drew this using the grid method which makes it pretty easy. I toned the paper with graphite to get the midtone value. This made it easier to get down.
I am very excited and looking forward to my first attempt at a portrait painting. I hope I muddle through well enough to be able to post here for any suggestions, critiques.

I love this Vermeer painting and enjoyed drawing her a couple times. Hopefully becoming familiar with the painting/subject through these drawing exercises wil help me with the painting.

Now it is 3am, I guess I had better get some sleep. YAWN!! Good night forum friends. I see I am the only one still awake!!! Not even Jimmie is up!!

Chuck Yokota · 09-11-2004, 07:57 AM

Hi Pat,

Great likeness to the original! You've made a terrific start. On the drawing, one thing you might check is the angle from the edge of her face on our left to the bottom point that is visible on her white collar.

The most obvious thing to me is that the areas in the light need to go lighter, and show more value change as her features curve around toward the light. The lightest areas, such as the white collar, the whites of her eyes, and the highlight on the pearl, need to go much lighter. I have attached a grayscale image of the original for comparison.

Patricia Joyce · 09-11-2004, 10:54 AM

Hi Chuck,
I apologize for the darkened picture. Unfortunately, as usually happens to me, I used cheap ivory drawing paper and toned it with graphite which I rubbed in too deeply. Now I cant seem to pull out the highlights and it won't take the white pastel very well. Since this is just a sketch for the painting I will not redo it. But I do see what you have pointed out. The lightest parts could be much lighter.

It always seems that when I am "playing around" without intention of a real finished piece, some of my best drawing happens! Maybe that is because I have no expectations and am just enjoying myself, not thinking about performance. I may have to start a new thread about this. Something like, "when does your best art happen? Morning, noon, nighttime, when you are serious? having fun? working on commission?" What d'ya think???

Terri Ficenec · 09-11-2004, 12:37 PM

Hi Pat -- This is beautifully done, conveys a strong sense of the original. You might want to look at her lips a little more closely. They look slightly fuller in the original especially on the left side (as we look at it) where the shape of the mouth approaches that edge of her face. Also the tip of the nose in the painting conveys a sense that the nose is a bit wider than the shadow and that some of the nose-tip is in the light... I'm not getting that as much from the drawing. (And thanks Chuck for posting the black & white of the original painting)

Pat, these are really subtle nit-picks. On the whole your drawing is very strong! Can't wait to see when you start in with the painting. (I hope you'll share your progress with us!

Patricia Joyce · 09-11-2004, 03:52 PM

Hi Terri,
Yeah, I had a real hard time "finding" the tip of her nose. It just didn't look clear where it stopped so I just guessed! Chuck's reference is better than what I had to go on (a printed page off of a forum thread from my printer at work) I am looking for a better image at bookstores and will look at the library before I begin the painting.

I see that the lip is not right and will play with it some more. Thanks for the encouraging words. I need them as I advance towards my easel and palette!!! Today's project is to tone the canvas - even I can handle that, I think!!