You can do a great drawing just by emphasizing value and light. Here you see a five minute drawing of my wife, Norene, with charcoal. I drew very basic shapes — head, lips, nose, eyes and hairline. Next I squinted to see the shapes of the shadows. I blocked them in — the right side of the face, under the chin, under the bottom lip, the top lip, above the eyelids, then the hair. On the left side of the picture you’ll see dark shading right next to the hair. I always put that against the side that is lit.
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I had been in Michigan all week teaching art and preparing for a show. I had paintings all ready to go, but wanted to add another one. I tried to finish it up, but I couldn’t stand my results. I decided not to enter it, but instead, I wanted to paint over it.
I was at my daughter’s house. I asked her to sit next to a window so I could get natural light. This portrait is what was painted.
Note the color of her hair and face on the left side. It is painted white because that is what I actually saw as the outside light illumnated her face. Next, look at her eyes. As the light shines through the irises, the right sides lighten up to a light yellow. There is a highlight on the eye on the left. It is on the white of the eye and crosses slightly into the iris. These techniques give life to them.
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Since I was a little kid I have been bored with “scenery” pictures. My dad would show slides he took. I loved the ones with people in them, but he stared forever at the scenery shots. Because of that, I’ve been more interested in painting people, buildings, and cars than landscapes.
This may have changed last Sunday night when our son and his wife drove us on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.
This painting portrays a typical scene along the drive. Note the atmospheric perspective as the mountains become bluer and more faded the further out they go. Then the lone tree stands starkly silhouetted in the foreground. These things give depth to the painting.
I will say I was charmed with the scenery.
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