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I decided to create a journal entry for Random Tips, which will get re-sent as I update this entry in the future.
(9/13/10) TODAY'S TIP:
I try to draw as small as I possibly can. Why? To save time of course, so I can get to the other 50+ I have lined up to draw, ha! The drawing I just started is Reese Witherspoon. I'm drawing it REALLY small, because her EYES are very are large in the reference photo. When I design the SIZE of EACH drawing, I make several determinations about how large to make it. Since I do not frame my work, my object is NOT to make them as large as I can so they look good on my wall. I keep them in display books, which have plastic sleeves to protect them. I am forced to draw some larger than others, and usually larger than I want, because their EYES are too small, so I have to print a larger ref photo. After all, that is where I spend the most time (eyes), because that is where a person looks MOST like that person? Remember this, a drawing that is even 20% larger will take 50% more time to complete! If you have all the time in the world, have at it! If you are like me, and have a short attention span, and you get bored fast, you want to spend the LEAST amount of time possible BUT be able to get the MOST amount of details into your drawing. Each photo I use as a Reference Photo, has to be considered individually, depending on HOW I choose to crop it, or if it's a close-up, which in turn determines the size of the face you can fit into the drawing space on your paper. To do this, I set my printer to Draft Quality, and print 2 or 3 various sizes that are THE SMALLEST possible, but YET allows me to draw the details I like to draw. I then compare the Draft Prints to OLD DRAWINGS in my display books, because I can remember how long they took to draw, and based on those estimates, I choose a final size. Then I re-set the print settings to a higher quality, and print my reference photo on Presentation Paper, so it is as much like a photo as possible. Of course I print Black and White, so I can more easily "see" the tonal values. (I first convert all of my reference photos to B&W using software). I hope this tip allows you to consider drawing smaller, so you can complete more portraits, or finish in less time?
TO SEE THE STEP SCANS SO FAR OF REESE, go here:
tinyurl.com/RWsteps
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(8/24/10) TODAY'S TIP:
I always start with an outline! I use different methods for measuring the distance between facial features. I NEVER just guess the distance! It became painfully obvious to me early on in portrait drawing, that there are precise measurements involved? It's a critical part of making a person look like the person that they are! For example, you can guess the distance between the eyes, so can I. But it will save you lots of time, frustration and improve accuracy and proportions if you measure the distance.
You can use rulers, markings on scrap paper, grid paper, etc. There are a TON of methods out there. The outline is not a fast sketch either. If you don't get it right, the whole drawing is off!
(9/13/10) TODAY'S TIP:
I try to draw as small as I possibly can. Why? To save time of course, so I can get to the other 50+ I have lined up to draw, ha! The drawing I just started is Reese Witherspoon. I'm drawing it REALLY small, because her EYES are very are large in the reference photo. When I design the SIZE of EACH drawing, I make several determinations about how large to make it. Since I do not frame my work, my object is NOT to make them as large as I can so they look good on my wall. I keep them in display books, which have plastic sleeves to protect them. I am forced to draw some larger than others, and usually larger than I want, because their EYES are too small, so I have to print a larger ref photo. After all, that is where I spend the most time (eyes), because that is where a person looks MOST like that person? Remember this, a drawing that is even 20% larger will take 50% more time to complete! If you have all the time in the world, have at it! If you are like me, and have a short attention span, and you get bored fast, you want to spend the LEAST amount of time possible BUT be able to get the MOST amount of details into your drawing. Each photo I use as a Reference Photo, has to be considered individually, depending on HOW I choose to crop it, or if it's a close-up, which in turn determines the size of the face you can fit into the drawing space on your paper. To do this, I set my printer to Draft Quality, and print 2 or 3 various sizes that are THE SMALLEST possible, but YET allows me to draw the details I like to draw. I then compare the Draft Prints to OLD DRAWINGS in my display books, because I can remember how long they took to draw, and based on those estimates, I choose a final size. Then I re-set the print settings to a higher quality, and print my reference photo on Presentation Paper, so it is as much like a photo as possible. Of course I print Black and White, so I can more easily "see" the tonal values. (I first convert all of my reference photos to B&W using software). I hope this tip allows you to consider drawing smaller, so you can complete more portraits, or finish in less time?
TO SEE THE STEP SCANS SO FAR OF REESE, go here:
tinyurl.com/RWsteps
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(8/24/10) TODAY'S TIP:
I always start with an outline! I use different methods for measuring the distance between facial features. I NEVER just guess the distance! It became painfully obvious to me early on in portrait drawing, that there are precise measurements involved? It's a critical part of making a person look like the person that they are! For example, you can guess the distance between the eyes, so can I. But it will save you lots of time, frustration and improve accuracy and proportions if you measure the distance.
You can use rulers, markings on scrap paper, grid paper, etc. There are a TON of methods out there. The outline is not a fast sketch either. If you don't get it right, the whole drawing is off!
Breaking Bad Christmas
No...I'm not a poet, but I do like to "wordsmith" for fun once in a while.
I just wrote this about my fav TV Drama Series "BREAKING BAD"
Breaking Bad Christmas – by Rick Fortson (DrPencil.com)
Twas the night before Christmas, and meth heads were sad,
Supplies had run low, it was time to Break Bad.
The meth Lab was waiting, and stocked with great care,
In hopes that Saint Heisenberg soon would be there.
The batch they would cook while evading the feds,
While visions of Blue Sky danced round in their heads.
Skinny Pete had his gas mask, and Mike had his own,
Pinkman knew the procedure, for he had been shown.
When outside the cook te
Drawing Requests
People on DA, Facebook, etc ask me to draw them all the time. My rate is $300 to $500 for an 8 x 10 depending on details. Please see www.tinyurl.com/HireRick Otherwise, I am no longer drawing for commissions. I appreciate that you like my work, and that you want me to draw you, but it goes way deeper than that. Not only do I have to spend 10 HOURS staring at the photo, I have so LITTLE time these days, that I might be lucky if I get time to draw 1 or 2 drawings a month. So when I get to draw, you can bet that it's ONLY going to be someone I feel INSPIRED to draw, based on the person, and-or the photo. Especially after having drawn over 200 po
Reference Photo TIP GUIDE
I created a Reference Photo TIP GUIDE you might like and want to share with your commission clients. It basically tells them how to choose a good photo for you to draw.
Go here to see this GOOGLE DOC
http://tinyurl.com/RefPhotoGuide
PS - If you are like me, you are not even getting this journal entry. I'm too busy to see and comment on drawings from the 100's of artists I watch, much less read journals, but if you DO get this, check it out. I guarantee you will like it!! :D:D
Rick
Pencil Killer
My Response to DRAWING REQUESTS
When people ask me to draw someone...
People on here, Facebook, etc often ask me to draw a certain celebrity for them, because they really like that person. If its someone I have been planning and wanting to draw, but have yet to draw, I will consider it BUT ONLY IF I can find an great reference photo of that person. If I dont like the celebrity, there is no way Im drawing them, and it is usually for their core beliefs, although I have made exceptions in the past. If Ive never heard of the person or do NOT feel inspired to draw them, I also cannot bring myself to draw them either, as I will not enjoy it, o
© 2010 - 2024 Doctor-Pencil
Comments91
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Your talent is amazing! Thank you so much for taking the time to help.
Where do you find the photos? Do you always use black and white?
Where do you find the photos? Do you always use black and white?