Another one

Another portrait

New technique

Ive tried a new technique with my charcoal renderings for Anatomy class, our instructor video used it and I liked the result so much I had to try it out. I'm proud of myself for trying something new even though I had a deadline :) Using toned paper wasn't a new concept, but drawing primarily in white Conte pencil was. I definitely learned a lot more drawing this way and will probably continue to use this technique in the future.

Here's the step by step:

1. Outline all of the muscle shapes in white Conte pencil, add the contour lines. Also outline the shadow shapes.

2. Block in the shadow side with vine charcoal, I like to blend with my fingers but you could use a chamois or a paper towel too, just smooth out the vine charcoal. Start to crosshatch with the white conte showing the directions of the muscles you drew in, crossing over into the shadow side to soften the edges of the form shadows. Use a charcoal pencil to cross back into the light areas and define the form shadows from the reflected light.

3. Define the subtler shadow areas with the charcoal pencil, continue to blend and finish.

I'll definitely be trying this technique again in the future!

Portraits

First portrait of the year...

Back to School..

Back to school again, head and hands, illustration 1 and intermediate anatomy this time, first assignment done! I'll keep this updated...probably, lol :)

And here's a little illustration I did for my friend's graduation: