Steps 4 and 5 in Baby graphite WIP.

More work has been done on Lilly's portrait.
The internet connection was close to non-existent yesterday allowing for more drawing and unfortunately no blogging.

Todays steps show how the hand, the dress and the baby's head have taken shape.
Step 4
There is more detail coming into the dress.
A 6B was used, lightly mapping out a route for the folds in the dress, the tartan squares and the shape of the mother's neck.
I have not quite worked out how to render the tartan and to be honest if I wasn't a Scot I would be cursing this gorgeous material to "kingdom come"...
The hand was drawn using light 2B shading which I then blended with... toilet paper. A top layer in F was added.

Step 5
Here progress is made in both defining and refining the shape of her head, the expression of her mouth and the lay of her baby hair.
Before doing this a darkening layer was added to the background jacket. I felt the dark value was too weak and could use a bit more oomph!
I worked on her expression and head through careful application of F graphite for the skin and 2B for the strands of hair.

Step 4: focus brought to hand and dress. Notice protective sheet of paper on right.


Step 5 Work on head and expression.
(p.s:The muddy look in both images is due to scan. Her wee face does not look this blotchy when seen live!)

Back soon with more.
p.s: Music has also been a major key so far: bringing focus and sustenance. Thank you Reammon and Snowpatrol...

Comments

Laure Ferlita said…
She appears to be coming to life right before our eyes! You have a darling subject, but I also think you've done an amazing job on rendering such a tender subject. SO amazing!
1:01 pm
hbedrosian said…
Wonderful detail and expression in this portrait!
2:04 pm
artbykarieann said…
really liking this Sheona, will be back to see more updates
5:54 pm
Unknown said…
Thank you all for the kind words. Lilly is a doll and such a brilliant subject. Drawing her brings back (not so old) memories of holding my own wee ones...!
6:45 pm
Ruthie Redden said…
beautiful detail, wonderful subject! sweet memories too
9:29 pm
Kimberly Kelly Santini said…
can you see me? i'm bowing down to worship you.
9:46 pm
An English Shepherd said…
How lovely... :-)
11:37 pm
Elizabeth McCrindle said…
Just wonderful....the detail leaves me speechless and thats not easy lol
9:52 am
Unknown said…
Million thank yous.
Love comments and these have made my day:)
Kim: what a hoot!please don't bow so low...I'm very flattered though:)
12:06 pm
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