Isabel in graphite.

James McDowell · 10-13-2005, 09:37 AM

Hello again,

This is only the second portrait I have posted here, and I know that graphite isn't one of the usual mediums.

This is a portrait of my niece Isabel. It is 14X10", on TwinRocker 200lb handmade hot press watercolor paper (with the feather deckle).
I used a combination of graphite, charcoal, and carbon.

Any comments or critiques would be great!
-James

Carlos Ygoa · 10-13-2005, 05:02 PM

Solidly drawn. I like the way you handled the modelling of the head...so many members in this forum who can handle graphite very, very well. Is this a specialized area of yours?
The features are so delicately achieved...very nice.

Carlos

James McDowell · 10-13-2005, 08:20 PM

Hello Carlos,
Thank you for the comments. Yes, actually, graphite is my medium of choice. I only wish it were more valued.

-James

Terri Ficenec · 10-13-2005, 08:51 PM

James - Hi! This is beautifully and very sensitively rendered.

This is critiques, though so. . . there are two areas that I'm wondering about. The first is along the eastern edge of her neck, there's a fairly sharp, too sharp? angle there that is also where some relatively strong shadows meet and form an X of sorts... I'm wondering if this is correct?
The other area that draws my attention is the top of her hair/head. It appears that her hair is bulging upward there. . . This may very well be how it was, but I'm wondering if it might read better if it wasn't so pronounced?

Anyhow, her features, especially those eyes, are beautifully done. Thanks for sharing this!

P.S. You might also want to check the value of that necklace where it moves into the shadow side of her neck. . .

James McDowell · 10-15-2005, 09:47 AM

Terri,
Thanks for feedback. Looking at it again, I can see that I need to adjust the shadows on the neck, the transition into the medium tone is not quite smooth enough, and I think that may be why it looks off. The top of the hair... I agree I probably should have made that less pronounced. It's hard to see in the picture but her hair is pulled up into some sort of bow/ribbon thingie. Bad thing is there is no way to fix that now

You are right about the shadow side of the necklace, I will correct that too! Thanks again!
-James

Patricia Joyce · 10-17-2005, 10:05 AM

James,
This is a beautiful drawing. I hope you post it after your adjust the shadow on the neck as I believe it will help improve the overall look. But you rendering of the features is so delicate and so beautiful. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

From a fellow graphite artist!