#merartwork

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Oil pastel portrait of MUA Lora Arellano from Melt Cosmetics

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Pencil Portrait #2

Hey again! It’s Mer: Artist, Designer, and all around creative.

This is pencil portrait number 2 from my portrait pencil study series. I am experimenting with different pencils and approaches to my portraits based on research I have done.I will post a link to the different videos I looked into for guidance on this drawing.

Now regarding this portrait, I wanted to take a different approach to drawing this portrait specifically, because The last portrait I did I used the grid method and I mentioned the rigid ness I felt while drawing.

So this time I looked into drawing realistic portraits sort of freehand. I think my search was: “how to draw a realistic face” or something like that on YouTube. I found tons of video tutorials and really what I was looking for was how to draw the proportions with the least amount of guides.

I found what I was looking for and started the process with the first video and I kept binging on other videos and took up they’re process through out the drawing. I also found a couple of resources on how to draw realistic black hair and used some of those techniques.

All and all I think I’m searching for a technique that allows flow of the hand without feeling restricted and I am sorta on my way of getting there; I guess?🙃 or until I do 100’s of portraits (like they make u do in fine art school) and draw so much that I won’t need to have guides and just do it free hand, but by the. I think I am going to want to dive into painting the portraits.

For this drawing of the lovely @miss_liz82 I used Bristol paper, Daler-Rowney graphite pencils, a smudged, q-tip and tissue paper for blending, graphic charcoal pencils.

One thing I forgot to mention since the reference had an overall bold dark, I tried using charcoal on top of the graphite and no I didnt achieve the richness I was looking for but I also believe Bristol paper isn’t the right paper for charcoal. I’m pretty satisfied and Miss Liz was very surprised and happy about the portrait.

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Making Progress

My last post was about me struggling with the recent portrait I’m working on.

I think I might have chewed more than I could handle and at the same time I think it’s good it will push me to be a better artist and have stronger skills.

Well I don’t like to shy away from things that I’m passionate of so I did some research freshened up on some tutorials, talked to fellow artist that are more advanced and I’m happy to say that here is the progression

I made a few different sketches on the side and more loomis head studies for me to practice.

The YouTube videos I saw for help are

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2024 year in review my art studies, paintings

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I am excited about this study because I’m sorta understanding the value of underpainting. It’s kinda of the opposite color of what the viewer sees. It’s a wash which means it’s very watered-down paint.

Practicing this step is a huge improvement to the overall process. Having a guide to help you see the values and tonal changes can make a huge difference than figuring out in your own.

[merartwork]

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