Charcoal Portraits

Flower Girl

14 x 17

Charcoal

Most of the time you'll find me painting, but I love drawing almost as much as painting! I admit, I sometimes neglect my drawing because painting is so time involved. Last year, I kind of went through a charcoal drawing frenzy... all I did for a while (as far as artwork) was sit on the floor and sketch up a storm! Yes, on the floor, I didn't have a drawing table set up at the time and I don't find an easel that conducive to sketching. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and tonight I found myself browsing through some of these drawings and realizing I miss it and I need to get back to it~  

If you happen to be looking for a unique gift, a charcoal portrait is a nice option. They look great in all different types of homes, especially when they are framed nicely! They are also quite affordable for a piece of custom artwork. My charcoal portrait prices start at $75 for a 14 x 17. I think that's a pretty good deal myself :) I also offer framing services, shipping and gift wrap if needed! Check out more of my charcoals on my website if you have a moment. Thanks for looking! 

Also, thanks to my friend Stacy for giving me a mention on her new blog ... the copy cat cottage! If you have an interest in decorating on a budget, her blog is inspiring. She has a beautiful home and is full of good ideas (even though she claims to be a copy cat). Take a minute to check it out!

Sisters

Sisters
11 x 14
charcoal

SOLD

Some of you may recognize this from the first pigtail sketch that I did about a month ago. This one was commissioned by a friend that has two daughters. I've been having fun with these sketches. Stay tuned for more : )

From Drawing to Painting

Emily

above: charcoal on paper

below: oil on canvas

It is interesting to think about whether an artist is born with natural, God-given ability or whether it is learned. I think it's a bit of both. I believe that God created me the way I am for a purpose... I have a passion for art and He wants me to use it. At the same time, I know that much of my ability comes from hours and hours of practicing my drawing skills. (He gave me the interest so I wouldn't get bored though!)

Drawing is really a prerequisite for painting.  If a person struggles with being able to draw proportionately, he will still struggle with it whether he uses a paintbrush or a pencil. Achieving a likeness of someone means being able to measure proportions. A successful drawing also has a variation of values, good composition and perhaps some interesting texture. Paint adds another challenge on top of all that (not to mention color!) Mixing the paint, making sure the edges are visually compelling, waiting for it to dry... these all create their own challenges. I have found that it is very important to keep up my drawing skills because it makes my paintings go that much more smoothly.  I have enough to worry about without having to redo something because it was laid out incorrectly! Painting isn't necessarily more difficult, there are just other things to think about. It can actually be a lot more difficult to fix a drawing than an oil painting. Drawing and painting are very different mediums, but they complement each other so well!

How to Capture Movement

Salsa Dancer

charcoal

18 x 20

This is a quick sketch of a salsa dancer that I did a while back.  It is fun to pick an artistic element to focus on when sketching. Drawing dancers are a great way to study movement.  I love a piece of artwork that captures movement. I grew up fascinated and somewhat obsessed with dance and ballet in particular.  So much so, that for a while I spent every waking moment (aside from school) dancing.  Dance is such a beautiful way that people express themselves and drawing or painting is a great way to capture that expression!  I may not be able to pirouette through life anymore, but I can certainly draw those that are! 

Some tips for capturing movement in a sketch: 

1. Draw with a loose hand.  If you are too meticulous and rigid, you will have a tough time communicating any motion in your drawing.

2. Look at your subject more than your paper.  I know this one is hard for many of us, but if you are concentrating too hard on your drawing rather than your subject, you risk missing the essence of your subject.  Especially if you are drawing from life, don't look away from your subject!  If you have to look at your paper, make it quick!

3. Use a blocking-in technique. In the drawing above, you can see how I "blocked-in" her sleeve.  It is a quick way to capture the shape of something and it doesn't have to be perfect! Even if it take you a few tries, blocking-in can give your drawing a rustic, loose quality that can be quite charming!

4. Don't forget value! The darkness or lightness of something can help translate movement to the paper.  Having light, dark and medium values is crucial to almost any piece of artwork, but especially when one is trying to capture movement! Think of a light, quickly sketched line vs. a dark, heavily sketched mass vs. a broad swash with the side of your charcoal.  These different techniques all describe a different kind of movement and all are really useful.  Variation is definitely more exciting to the eye and helps to move the eye around the paper.

5. Draw in circles.  This is definitely one of those rules made to be broken, but I find that it is easier for me to draw with a loose hand when I draw using quick circle-like movements that describe my subject.  My great-aunt Harryette showed me this trick when I was 7 or 8 years old and it has really stuck with me.  She was a genius at drawing horses.. she could draw them in her sleep!  She taught me that a horse can be drawn using all circles and it really works!  I think any animal or human can be drawn the same way.

AND finally.... LOSE THE ERASER!  This is the best way to learn to draw!  It teaches you to get it right the first time and so what if you have a line out of place?! It only gives your drawing more character!

Riley in Charcoal

Riley

11.5 x 13.5

Charcoal

Here is a simple sketch of my dog, Riley.  I loved the look on his face though.  It captures his impatience and obedience perfectly.  He wasn't really in the mood to have his photo taken, but he politely obliged.

Art & Soup

Art & Soup was a lot of fun this year!  Although I would've loved to have sold more paintings, I did speak with quite a few people who were interested in commissions... which is great! I love doing commissions and creating a painting that someone will cherish for years to come.  My favorite soups were s'more soup (thanks Brian) and a spinach and feta soup from the Greek Isles.  mmm. I also really liked the enchilada soup from the restaurant at Mahoney.  There was a lot of great art too!  I highly recommend getting a ticket next year!  Hopefully, I'll be there again :)

Anticipation (detail)

Anticipation (detail/in progress)

19.5 x 25.5

charcoal

Available for purchase at VNA Art & Soup

Here is a sneak preview of a drawing I am working on currently.  I've been super busy at the flower shop because of Valentine's Day so I haven't been able to finish it quite yet!  Stay tuned for the completed drawing!

Wonder

Wonder

19.5 x 25.5

charcoal

Sold

I was inspired to do this drawing from a photo that my friend Melissa took of her daughter. When I saw it I couldn't wait to draw it! It is so cool to see birds captured in flight like that! So, thanks Melissa for taking a really cool picture and then letting me use it for a drawing!

Note: my photo isn't that great, the light was reflecting off the black pretty bad and the birds are all washed out. I will try to re-post after I have a chance to take a photo with daylight.

Recent Commissions

Here are some of my most recent charcoal commissions. The top two were a gift for their mother and the bottom was an anniversary gift.  I always think it is nice when people choose to give art as a gift for someone.  It really will last forever and be passed down the generations. I know people worry about the price of a custom portrait, but charcoals are very reasonable. If you are interested in learning more about the pricing of my custom portraits visit my website. 

Although my favorite medium is paint, I do really enjoy sketching with charcoal.  I really like the spontaneous quality that it gives to a portrait.  I am such a whimp though... I can't stand the feeling of charcoal on my skin so I wear latex gloves most of the time!  Probably not the most environmentally friendly choice on my part, but it's like nails on the chalkboard for me... it's awful even thinking about it!  That is one of the reasons I love painting so much I guess.  I don't mind it on my hands and I am even known to go in public with paint all over my clothes.  Charcoal, on the other hand, I don't want it anywhere near me or my clothes!  

Saturday Sketch

Persistence
14 x 17
charcoal

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Sketching is really important for a painter. I find that it really helps me to develop ideas and decide if I want to actually paint an image. I will admit I don't always sketch before I start a painting, probably to my own detriment, but it is something that always helps me when I do decide to do it. Funny... I never painted this guy, maybe because I was happy with how the sketch turned out. I really enjoy sketching and it helps me focus on values... which is really helpful when painting.