Head Study

Head Study

Some images of a head study I did awhile back when I was at AAU. I believe I sketched this out while in Iraq. Some of the proportions are kind of off, but this was my first "from life" so-to-speak drawing. Up until this time, I'd always drawn from photographs. There's a HUGE difference when drawing from life. No matter how much depth a photograph has, it is still a flat, two dimensional piece. Drawing from life gave me an understanding of proportions that a photograph doesn't allow. You may notice all of the mistakes I've made, but that's good. Learning from our mistakes is how we progress.

Progress

Over the next few days/weeks, I might be posting some charcoal drawings/sketches that I've done through the years. Part of this is because most of my artwork has taken a turn towards oil portrait painting. I have already posted one or two, and I'll post once I get a few completed. Right now, I'm working on a bunch of those small, cheap canvas boards. I find it's easier to mess up a $1 canvas board than a $50 canvas.

That being said, if anyone is interested in canvases, two of the best places to find them are on Craigslist, or at the Goodwill/Thrift stores. At the Goodwill/Thrift stores - or even on Craigslist for that matter - often people have already painted on them. Scraping off excess paint and painting over the image is a great way to save money and create your own masterpiece. Heck, it beats going to Michael's or Ben Franklin. A $5 canvas that needs a few applications of paint beats a $50 canvas any day of the week.

Well, that's my two cents for the day. Anyway, hope you enjoy.

Photoshop Edit

Okay, don't laugh. This image is of me from the inside of my living room. It was for a lighting project at AAU and I had to see if I could match colors and lighting up. The window area doesn't exist. Well, the window does, but not the image outside. That is taken from one of my several trips to Dubai.

Speaking of Dubai, if you're ever interested in going to the Middle East, Dubai is one of the most laid back Middle Eastern Nations. However, it also has a serious western influence. In my opinion, it's not a real view of the Middle East. I've been to Egypt, as well as Iraq, and though I'm not suggesting a person go into those territories - amidst the uprisings and bombings - I do recommend other nations that allow you to experience the real thing. Going to Dubai and eating at Burger King or McDonald's - though not a bad thing - is not my idea of experiencing another culture. Eating their native food is a good start.

Thumbnails

These are the thumbnail sketches of the still life drawing. I should've posted these before posting the drawing.

Still Life Study white/orange

Charcoal - completed. The ellipse on the bowl ... ugh. Sometimes you don't notice these things until you're finished.

Still Life Study white/orange

Thumbnail sketch of a still life. I thought I'd take a bunch of white objects that seem to have nothing in common and combine a colored image with it. The orange will take on the same black & white shading as the plain white images.