Saturday, January 21, 2012

Sketchbook Portrait- Just a Face

watercolor & graphite
I've been a bit sick the last couple days which has left me with little energy to draw or paint. I did do this small sketch today.  It's not of anyone in particular. I was playing with trying something different by using just one pencil and an eraser. Instead of drawing a face and shading it in, I did a rectangle of solid graphite and then with a gum eraser began erasing where I imagined light would hit, sort of working backwards. I made up the face as I saw it emerge, if that makes sense.
Many years ago when I was doing lots of printmaking, I created a series of monotype portraits where I painted or rolled ink on my printing plate and then, with a rag, would wipe portions of it away leaving what was needed to define the face.  I hadn't thought about them in years until today when using the eraser, kind of a similar technique  I found one and thought I'd share it. I think it's from 2000, twelve years ago! I like working this way, I like the surprises.

monotype--- oil based ink on paper---2000

4 comments:

  1. Wow, these are beautiful! The face at the top is lovely, and I like that I can't tell whether it is a man or woman. The technique reminds of the quote from Michaelangelo, where he says he sees an angel in the stone and his work is setting it free.

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  2. I forgot to say I hope you are feeling better today.
    ;-)

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  3. Thanks Lisa! That technique does feel more like sculpting than drawing. It's really fun.
    I like that Michaelangelo quote. His imprisoned figures are amazing.

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  4. Oh, awesome. Beautifully discovered face! Hope you feel better soon.

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