[GRAPHITE] Bianca Beauchamp

–click for full view–

*note* This is from December 25, 2007

Tools:

Graphite
11×14 Bristol Vellum 100lb (260g/m)

Inspiration ATM:

Background TV noise

Scription:

It has been nearly 15 years since I’ve done anything in graphite. This had become my test piece to get back into the thick of things.

The model is fetish queen Bianca Beauchamp. I used this particular image of her, not only because I have a hot crush on her, but the contrast and theme suited me on practicing.

Though it is not important, approximate time: 7-9 hours, spanning a couple months during free time.

Critiques:

I know where my mistakes are at. I, unfortunately, tried a technique that SHOULD HAVE been done BEFORE nearing completion, so I scratched-up the piece pretty bad. I’m noticing, even though I gridded the piece, that her face came out oblong (something I notice even in my older pieces) and her shoulder/arm thinner. Maybe this should be incorporated into my “calling card” since it appears that all my pieces tend to stretch themselves out? I’m not seeing it in the scanned image, but I’m seeing it on the board itself.

I darkened her right eye (to our left) too much, messing up the eyelashes. What I like is that her dark irises are lightened to emphasize more contrast in the piece. I still need to work hard on hair. Perhaps, less smudging for shadowing in all aspects. My darks aren’t dark enough, and my lights not light enough. Seems that every time I darken something, the next day it appears light, no matter how many layers of 8B I apply. The scan you see is as close to IRL I can get it.

What I’ve learned: I believe I need to begin drawing with the grid intact and complete the piece square-by-square. I’ve noticed many graphite artists doing this, but not quite sure if this is my type of technique. Perhaps for accuracy, but not sure if that’s what I exactly want. I’m the type that, once the imagination goes rampant, I will ignore a pose and want to run more objects throughout the piece. I’ll see with the next piece, which will be highly experimental, and using a willing model, Lisa Hellen. Also, I’ve learned that sandpaper can play a critical part in the making of my pieces, IF USED BEFORE COMPLETION. I like a grungy, rustic look… something I’ve been wanting to imitate that I’ve done digitally. Now, I believe I’ve found the way.

Still a learning process, but I’m pushing the next one to access my imagination into the posed piece.