This is the 3rd charcoal drawing I've attempted using the proportional divider, the first copy of a Sargent portrait. My source is also in the picture.
I am struggling with making corrections because each correction seems to create the need for another one. When to stop, consider it done, and move on to the next one?
Thanks for everyone suggestions before; can see some improvement. I plan to do a few more Sargent reproductions from the same book and then see where I am.
Thanks again.
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Comments
1: Always work big to small, i.e., make 100% sure that your big masses are correct in size and placement before working on any details. If you start working on the fine details of a mass that is in the wrong place or out of proportion, you won't want to erase it even though it will never be right. So you make a bunch of other adjustments to compensate and your drawing ends up looking wonky. If you are sure that your big shapes are correct in size and proportion, then your drawing will look right even if you don't get the fine details 100% correct.
2: Focus on abstract shapes and forget that you are drawing an nose, eye, etc. Turn the drawing and reference upside down if you need to. Again, getting those abstract shapes correct means that the drawing will look right, but attempting to make something "look like an eye" causes all sorts of errors.
3. Avoid the temptation to exaggerate. A lot of time when you draw you will see that what at first looked like a straight line is actually curved or is slightly angled. When copying, the temptation is to exaggerate your discovery, making the line even more curved or angled than it really is. Get those angles and curves right, but don't overdo it. Same with values or color differences in painting: if the difference is subtle, keep it subtle.
The corrections I would make now go all the way back to the original layout. It looks like as I tried to add detail I unintentionally moved some the features losing some of the integrity of the shapes and proportions. It's all learning, so thanks for the input.
There are some more Sargent portraits I would like to try building on the input I received here (e.g., prioritizing, big to small, and avoiding exaggerating) would have helped on this drawing, and then I'll move on to Mark's portrait DVD.
Thanks again.
Interestingly, I never did notice the missing dark corner you spotted. I agree it would make a difference, and doesn't really cause anything else to need to be adjusted. I appreciate the input.
Thanks again.
I was using the Sargent portraits to practice using the techniques in Mark's portrait DVD, trying to learn his method of mapping out key points on the picture and then drawing the connecting lines. I was standing at an easel, but not drawing with my whole arm, or in a relaxed manner, and I was trying to be very careful... The differences seem to find their way in as I added more features, and values.
Connecting the key points with broader, more relaxed strokes would definitely change the look, I will try it in the future.
Thanks again.