i dunno

[blink369]

hello everyone, ive been watching everyones artwork on here for almost a year now and i just have to say wow... i can't do anything like you guys, but id still like to post one of my drawings and maybe you guys can give me a few pointers...

done in pastel and charcoal

[DanielC]

The pic doesn't show up.
I think the link must be wrong somewhere...try to use the attachement manager.

[blink369]

hmm, ill try to figure it out

[blink369]

does it work now?

[Elwell]

It did, but I uploaded and attached it for you anyway.
Also, work like this belongs in the Critique Center (that's what it's there for), so I'm moving it over.

[blink369]

thank you for your help... still new to this sort of thing

[DanielC]

yeah it works.
So, it's looking good. but i think the way you're keeping the guide lines and outlining makes the rendering a bit too simple.
Try to work on values; contrast is the key to depth and form.
The hair on the lower left looks like it's done too quickly. Take your time when doing hair !! I think you could start with a general shape of it and afterwards add more and more single hair to make it coherent.
Also looking at the reflections on it, we can't really find from where the light comes from.
The shoulders look a bit too small compared to the head.. unless it's done on purpose.
So, basically i think you should show us more clearly from where the light comes from by playing with all the shapes that make the portrait. Add some contrast to the overall pic.

[Justin.]

Notes to remember:

Keep drawing from life/photos. The more you draw, the more you know!

-Shadows are not hardly ever black and white. You can get a suprisingly awesome effect using dark red, light yellow (yellow and white), or some dark blues for shadows.

-IF THE VALUES ARE CORRECT, COLOR DOESN'T MATTER (MUCH)
This means that if you can nail the value, which defines the form, it could be blue and green polka dots and it would still look good.

-Humans have 3 pigments in their skin:
Melanin, Hemoglobin, and Carotine. Melanin, the protective one, makes it sort of brownish. Black people produce more melanin. Hemoglobin is the oxygen in the blood, which makes it red. Lack of hemoglobin (veins) are blue. Carotine is orange I think... either way just remember that Blue, Red, Orange and yellow should most always be used when drawing any human (in a regular lighting situation.)

-Start a sketchbook in the sketchbook section, and post your sketches.

-don't stop drawing if you are serious. Draw constantly.

This piece shows great potential, you really seem to have drawn more of what you see than what you think you see, though you still have a LONG way to go.

But this is where the fun begins

[blink369]

yeah lighting has always been hard for me and im trying to get better... as for the color issue... i only had 2 shades of brown pastel, a white pastel, and charcoal... so it was tough for me to do much of anything. ill try to post my sketchbook when i have the time, ive just been far too busy latley

[Derlaine]

she needs a little shadow under her chin, on the neck, i think . It'll push her face out more

[Elwell]

ill try to post my sketchbook when i have the time, ive just been far too busy latley

Do that, it will help.
For what this is, it's good. Do more.

[Justin.]

Here is some more visuals for ya, for future reference.

For lighting, you must think about the major forms in your subject. Break them down into planes, imagine it like a blocky 3d wireframe. I drew it out in red.

Using this, and thinking about it in 3d, you can mimic almost any lighting situation with enough accuracy for it to be acceptable. You will probably never be able to create a perfect replica of a lighting situation without reference, but this is a good way to get it right "enough". I also attached a small demo of that..

Good luck to ye!

[blink369]

thank you for your help everyone. ive been trying to learn more on my own, but i definetly need some assistance and im sure posting on here will help me out. ill try to get my sketchbook up soon!