Michael G's Sketchbook

Michael Georges · 08-06-2008, 05:19 PM

Our model was Chantell again last night. This is the third time I have drawn her, and I really struggle with a likeness for her - even though she has very distinctive features.

Complete likeness not withstanding, I am feeling as if I am close to another step forward - even if it is a small one. When you start drawing from life, a lot of the time you don't know what you don't know...ya know? You have no tools, no language to even proceed forward and it is a hard road.

These days I am learning so much on anatomy and proportion and translating the form that I have much more to think about when I am drawing - i.e., I finally feel as if I have a toolset and a vocabulary to use when I am puzzling these out.

The step still eludes me, but I feel I am close.

Michael Georges · 08-13-2008, 10:18 AM

Hazel modeled for us last night.

Enzie Shahmiri · 08-13-2008, 09:03 PM

Micheal, it is great to see how you are sticking to the open studio sessions. Good for you!

How many hours did you spend on the last one?

Michael Georges · 08-13-2008, 11:57 PM

Hello Enzie, thanks for your encouragement! Always helps.

All of these are about 2.5 to 3 hours.

Michael Georges · 08-20-2008, 10:06 AM

We had Nicole again last night, a lovely and talented African American lady - beautiful bone structure and a lovely long neck. I am trying out a method of feature placement based on how Daniel Greene approaches it - basically placing all of the horizontal lines of placement first and then working out from the middle to get vertical lines of placement.

I still need more practice at this, but I am pleased with this week's effort.

Linda Brandon · 08-20-2008, 11:32 AM

Hi Michael - she is lovely, nice job! It's fun to see your progress here, thank you for doing this. I admire your persistance and guts.

Here's my tip based on what I see repeatedly in these portraits: keep lining up those carunculas (inner eye corners) every time she sits down after a break. (You often draw an eye corner too close to the nose bridge, so this might help you.) Pick a nostril-related spot or a mouth area to keep that vertical lineup with the caruncula stable, and keep dropping down a plumb point every time she gets back up there. You might want to keep a little sketch off to the side of your paper, just to remind yourself where she used to be, if she is a wiggly sitter.

You make me want to get out my pencils, too!

Michael Georges · 08-20-2008, 12:52 PM

Hey Linda, thanks for the tip! I do struggle with that without doubt. I struggle on!