| Author | Content |
jmcdowell
San Antonio, TX
November 16, 2007
10:00 PM Post #4201736
| Just as an experiment I decided to draw backwards. Meaning using a piece of black illustration board and drawing with a white prismacolor pencil.
It was really interesting to draw the highlights instead of the shadows.
(edited for spelling)
This message was edited Nov 16, 2007 8:00 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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jmcdowell
San Antonio, TX
November 16, 2007
10:01 PM Post #4201740
| Here is a close-up 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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soapwort243
South Milwaukee, WI
November 16, 2007
10:06 PM Post #4201759
| That is just sooo awesome !! Wow !!! And I like the title- Wisdom. It's excellent ! |
jmcdowell
San Antonio, TX
November 16, 2007
10:10 PM Post #4201773
| I know. He had such a kind, gentle look, I couldn't resist drawing him. I can imagine the stories he could tell. |
soapwort243
South Milwaukee, WI
November 16, 2007
10:12 PM Post #4201788
| Also, such a gentle kindness is so apparent. |
Gardnerkett
Pass Christian, MS
(Zone 8b)
November 16, 2007
10:34 PM Post #4201870
| That is beautiful! Do you ever part with your work, as in sell it?
I just love this piece, great job.
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jmcdowell
San Antonio, TX
November 16, 2007
10:47 PM Post #4201935
| I have done commission work for people all over the place. Several of my more recent pieces I have in storage. My problem is that I have never been consistent with subject matter or medium which makes it hard for me to make it as a commercially successful artist.
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soapwort243
South Milwaukee, WI
November 16, 2007
10:52 PM Post #4201966
| You are truly blessed with great talent. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 17, 2007
12:48 AM Post #4202372
| Fantastic work!!! I love the twinkle in his eye! So appropriately named because he looks full of wisdom.
Janet |
cactusfan
Webster, NY
(Zone 6a)
November 18, 2007
09:41 AM Post #4206142
| JM, I wish the gallery I work for carried two-dimensional work, because I would be DEMANDING that you submit your work for consideration!!!!! :) |
Zanymuse
Scotia, CA
(Zone 9b)
November 18, 2007
12:15 PM Post #4206724
| I think this reverse drawing gives more depth to the details and this wise face gives plenty of opportunity to display that. Yours is one of the finest examples of it I have seen! |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
November 23, 2007
10:35 PM Post #4223877
| I love it!!! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 23, 2007
11:06 PM Post #4223945
| James, have you done any other work that you can show us? We love your work and want to see more. :-)
Janet |
sempervirens
Northern, NJ
(Zone 6b)
November 24, 2007
10:18 AM Post #4224690
| jmcdowell,
This piece has a beautiful balance between all the formal qualities (line, texture, balance,space etc.) and the realistic image (IMO). I like the placement of the image and how you ended it at the collar. It makes it a very abstract strong image beautifully placed in space. I personally wish you hadn't signed in white near the collar. The signature anchors it too firmly. Maybe you were trying to anchor it? With the signature there it becomes a portrait but it really is so much more.
I know a local artist that did a black and white series of heads in oils that was very effective. (Also think of those early over sized Chuck Close portraits.) I would love to see a series of heads like this of yours. They would be very strong. I'm clearly heavily interested in the series format as process so please take all suggestions as a personal view only.
I have an interest in how and where artists sign. Maybe this can be a discussion and exploration on the artisan forum?. I personally sign drawings in the bottom margin the same as a print and paintings or constructions on the back. |
pupilpropogtr
Birmingham, AL
(Zone 7b)
November 25, 2007
12:58 AM Post #4226916
| JMC, Unbelieveable life like and so full of expression. I have never seen this done before. I have been studying it for who knows how long. It is amazing work. I can't say I have ever seen a portrait rendered so lifelike, capturing so much in his face. He seems to be acknowledging whomever he is looking at.
Is this someone you know? |
jmcdowell
San Antonio, TX
November 26, 2007
03:48 PM Post #4231820
| Semper, I don't know if I am trying to be as realistic as Chuck Close, but I understand what you are saying. I think portraits in general have a limited market. Maybe it is my personal preferance, but I don't particulary want to hang pictures of people that I don't know. lol. This could also be my own ignorance. Obviously there are a lot of artists that do heads and are successful. I personally thought figurative work would have a wider appeal.
I have also heard that for an artist to really be commercially successful that they need to determine what their subject matter is (whether it is landscapes, florals, portraits, etc.) That you can't just do whatever you want, whenever you want. I guess galleries want to see more stability. Is that correct?
I wasn't sure how I was going to matt and frame this portrait. I have a bad habit of using irregular sized papers and boards, and then can't find stock frames to fit and can't afford custom framing. This got me into the habit of signing my drawings in an area that wouldn't later be concealed by the matt. Does that make sense?
Traci, no, this isn't someone I know. I ran across the photo online and couldn't resist it. I think this technique works well for older faces with more character. I think a young smooth face would not have the impact. |
pupilpropogtr
Birmingham, AL
(Zone 7b)
November 26, 2007
04:02 PM Post #4231869
| Thanks jmc. I was very curious about this. I agree with the lines of the face on an older person and impact. But you have such talent, I would imagine just about anything you tried to do with this would come out looking amazing. A baby with all their wrinkles comes to mind. Thanks for sharing and I do hope you will post more.
BTW, If you have a Hobby Lobby, they constantly run specials on custom framing at 50% off. My mother got in good with one lady and she always gets this pricing. Just a thought.
Traci |
cactusfan
Webster, NY
(Zone 6a)
November 26, 2007
11:34 PM Post #4233558
| Michael's Arts & Crafts also usually has a 50% off coupon for custom framing in the Sunday ads. |
sempervirens
Northern, NJ
(Zone 6b)
November 28, 2007
07:01 AM Post #4238182
| jmcdowell,
I don't think there is a firm answer to your question about limiting subject matter. I think it depends on how and where you are presenting your art. It might be easier for some commercial galleries to market you as a wildlife artist , landscape artist, etc., but there are so many different avenues available. Grants, juried shows, themed shows, exhibiting with groups of artists (book arts, watercolors, colored pencil,etc.) that maintain a website, gallery representation to name a few. I personally would be bored if I had to limit the subject matter but I do have a clear style and work in series.
As far as framing goes you can just get the interior of the mats cut to size and use a standard exterior size and frame it yourself. If you enter shows you would probably use a very simple pine wood frame anyway and these can be purchased cheaply even online.
I'm sure other artists have different experiences and information to offer. |
cactus_lover
FSD
Pakistan
(Zone 10b)
December 24, 2007
02:13 PM Post #4324650
| I m learning from your skatches.I m very ammused to see more pictures.
Thanks
Yasir |
fleurone
Brooksville, FL
(Zone 9a)
December 26, 2007
12:30 PM Post #4328308
| Fantastic work |
