I’ve been busy!

For once.

My finished works are all mostly on artist trading cards. These are all 2.5 x 3.5″ using graphite, my trusty Kimberly 9xxb pencil, and a Conte Pierre Noir wax crayon pencil thing that is hella hard to erase. Live and learn, right? Also, I need to learn how to clean these properly because they’re all smudgy. LOL

Bette Davis:

 

Madge Evans:

 

Gloria Swanson:

 

Errol Flynn:

 

And then there are my WIPs.

First I’m pretty much done with my commission, but I haven’t taken fixative to it so it’s still a WIP. I think I was pretty ham-fisted with the kitty…but what’s done is done. I’m working on a second copy on sepia toned paper, but my heart’s not in it. So, hopefully my client will be pleased with this version. Thankfully she knows I’m a n00b. Which sucks!! Because I know I can do so much better…but with more practice. This isn’t as great as it could be.

BUT…I gave it my all, and that’s okay.

9 x 12″ Strathmore Drawing paper (400 series)

Graphite

 

 

And my latest WIP is another old Hollywood celebrity portrait. This time it’s on 9 x 12″ paper.

Yes I use grids. Suck it.

This here is Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in the classic and brilliant film “Sunset Boulevard.”

 

 

 

 

 

WIP – A commission!

So, I decided to open up and accept commissions.

I’m terrified.

BUT…

A coworker of mine decided that she’d like to hire me to do a portrait for her daughter’s birthday. And she didn’t blink an eye at the price I quoted her.

I’m still in shock, but really super excited about the idea that I can draw. For money. Obviously I’m not quitting my day job, but seriously…this is as close to living my dream as I’ve ever come.

Here’s the WIP!

I feel like I’m more or less done, though. I’m a little worried because I’ve maybe spent a total of five hours on this? I’m worried because…am I missing something? Am I not doing something right?

Yeah, there are some tweaks and a soft background I need to do…but other than that…uhhh….Would you pay a hundred bucks for work like this?

WIP – Bette Davis

Did a bit of work on Bette Davis today at lunch.

My WIPs are messy.

COMPLETED Buster Keaton 2

I finished it yesterday. I’m kind of pleased with how it turned out. We’ll see if the next one is better.

WIP The Second Buster Portrait

I did more work on it this morning before starting my day job. It put me in a good frame of mind, and I’m liking my progress.

Using a Pierre Noir Conte pencil. I have no idea if that’s charcoal or carbon or what.

Another Buster Keaton WIP

I’m getting frustrated with my Buster Keaton portrait. Too caught up in making it as realistic as possible, and that shouldn’t really be my goal right now. Realism, while an impressive show of technical talent and patience, can come across as cold and unmoving. Unless you know what you’re doing. Which I don’t. Not really.

Since I’m unsure how to proceed with my large portrait, and since I’m still fascinated with Keaton’s face, I decided to try another pose on a different size paper using the grid system to practice proportion.

Reference photo:

Not going for realism, but trying to focus on shapes and tones. Using charcoal pencil and smooth Bristol trading card (2.5″ x 3.5″).

I kind of like how unruly it looks. 🙂 As long as I’m drawing everyday, it doesn’t really matter!

If you want to, come follow me on Instagram @zaika_ru. I post art WIPs and what not (personal stuffs) over there. I’m wondering if I should create an account just for my art…