Portrait of Picasso in Charcoal

Recreating a self portrait of Picasso in charcoal was challenging.  It took me less time than my last drawing...about 45 minutes compared to 2 hours.  I believe that part of my problem is the paper.  It is very hard to get an even tone in either graphite or charcoal.  Tomorrow I will be working on my drawing board instead of the workbook so I should see a difference.  I am going to do a graphite portrait from the book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.  The drawing uses a medium dark toned ground and the use of an eraser to bring out the light negative spaces.  It should be interesting.  Soon I will be doing my self portrait.

Working with Charcoal

Had difficulty getting the contrast between the light and dark areas.  I couldn't get some areas to lighten up anymore than shown.  I don't know if it is the paper of me.  I am going to do another drawing and see how if comes out.  My figure has a cynical and nasty look about him.

Charcoal

I have been working on the next assignment in the book.  A picture of Groucho Marks was overexposed to make the shadow and light areas very distinct.  Working from a medium toned background in charcoal I am now working on erasing the light areas and darkening others.  It is messy and it is hard to get the light areas very light. The dark areas are smearing into the light areas. Ugh!!!

I don't know if part of my problem with working from a toned background is the quality of the workbook paper or me.  The ground is streaky and uneven no mater how I try to rub the extra off.  It doesn't mater if it is graphite or charcoal.  I plan on trying another charcoal drawing on good paper and will see if it works better.  I hope to be able to post a picture before I leave on vacation.

Drawing what you see instead of what you know to be true.

Left vs Right.  The battle begins!  We know that the US flag is a rectangle with 13 stripes and 50 stars. When we try to draw it we begin to have a problem.  It doesn't look right.  It never will when we try to draw what the left side of the brain knows.  The reason...the flag is normally folded upon itself and stripes appear to change width, the stars are not perfect but curved parts of stars.  By drawing what I saw, the flag looks right. 

I haven't drawn in charcoal in awhile.  I forgot how messy it can be.  I do like how it turned out though.  I will now be drawing in charcoal for the next few drawings.  I think I need a can a fixative!