For those interested, the dark areas are done with a very soft B5 pencil. I work the graphite into the page in a disorganized fashion, trying to avoid patterns that would look like artifacts unnatural to the subject matter. When laid down this heavy, soft graphite appears oily on the paper, and it reflects light which is counter to what a shadow is. Just like heavy oil paint shows clear bush marks, heavy graphite literally reflects the technique the artist used to apply it. The way a work like this is lit when on the wall becomes quite delicate as a result, and in situations where the light changes, the drawing will look quite different at various times through the day. I render the shadows in a crosshatch fashion to breakup the reflections. Even then I find I have to adjust the lights over my drawing table so as to avoid reflections as I work.
Soft graphite is also prone to smudging, which in this kind of drawing style is the last thing I care to have happen. Once completed, I spray the work with a fixative to "lock" it down. As I draw I keep a separate sheet of paper under my hand to help avoid blurring things. With a drawing like this that has so much shadow I have to be very careful in planning how to work down the page.
Here's two more update photos. Let me know what you think and don't be shy about becoming a blog member. I post updates on my Facebook site linking to here but would love to see how many folks are following the work and whether you have any questions.
Enjoy!!
Jacob
No comments:
Post a Comment