Illustration, Design, Editing, Art
The Genus for a Chimpanzee is Pan. Which is also the name for the mythic faerie figure who protects nature most often pictured playing a flute.
I am making some progress. His personality is really starting to come through.
Portrait update #2, “Chimpanzee, Monkey Business” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
This cute little guy is about 2, my monkey and him see to have a lot in common. I have been so busy haven’t done a personal piece for a bit unless you call P.G. personal since it was a gift. I have started this little guy 4 times though. I was really excited about some Derwent Tinted Charcoal I picked up this week. So far I am not thrilled with it hence the 3 previous drawings. Sad I know, so to keep a possible artist’s block from hitting me square in the face I am moving on to charcoal, Generals (the orange ones). I have another idea for this chimpanzee, pastels hmmm… we will have to see when I can work that one in.
Here’s my start, the fourth one… hope to get more done tonight.
Portrait update, “Chimpanzee, Monkey Business” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
I want to apologize for my hiatus of the past couple of weeks. I actually went on vacation, a first in a very long time.
Yeah!!! I am so elated to be finally done with this one. The hope was to finish this one quickly, oops (someone forgot to give that memo to my toddler).
It was smaller than the portraits I completed as of late, 8.5″ x 8″ approximately. Media was Oyster Canson Mi Tientes. I think the colored paper complimented the colors in P.G. well. I had some difficulty working on such a smaller size, keeping with my usual detailed approach. I think larger pieces though challenging at the same time may be easier for detail. As with most of my work a sharp point is extremely important and with a smaller size even more so. I did find that I had to slowly build up the media and do some mixing of colors mainly through pencil application. This was tedious but the result was well worth it.
I hope that this gift goes over well; surprises and thrills all at the same time. What do you think?
Final Portrait, “P.G.” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Here is the final invitation for the Country Chic wedding. I think it turned out beautifully and am excited to see it printed.
Final Ralston/Rivers Wedding Invite ©2012 alecia goodman to present
I am back to P.G. hoping I can finish this soon and begin work on an adorable baby chimp. Having some difficulty getting the correct mixes of oranges and creams. I am amazed by all the colors that are browns in my pastels… some are gold, rusty or just gray. I wonder if its taking longer since its a gift whereas a commissioned piece seems to fly. The good news: It looks like I am closer than I am to finishing if you look at it from further away. So maybe I am getting close, though I still have a ways to go.
Portrait Update, "P.G." ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Well I think I am done. I always reach a point on a drawing where I have to step back and realize if I do too much more I will destroy the beauty I created. Hence the less is more creed, it does hold true more often than not. Still I am not going to hold my breath, I don’t think I could pull off the smurf look. Besides its my customer who makes the final call so I am hoping my customer likes it as much as I do. Once its approved I will sign it and I will post one final update on Renna. I will try to move through my process and provide some tips on drawing a portrait and/or working with this particular media.
Portrait Update #8, "Renna" ©2012 alecia goodman to present
I am really excited that I have this portrait almost done. I know I have some more tweaking to do here and there, but it is getting really close. One of my biggest challenges is to make sure I don’t get too much detail going on in her shirt, but enough to show its there and allow the baby to pop.
I am a little sad to be getting ready to saying good bye to this sweet little face and not seeing her beautiful smile as I work daily; so precious. What do you think?
Portrait Update #7, "Renna" ©2012 alecia goodman to present
So here’s the latest portrait update. I am starting to render in the hair and clothes. I am just awe struck, she is coming to life before my eyes.
Portrait Update #6, "Renna" ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Its been a crazy week. I have barely had time to work on my current project til today. I am still excited at where its going. I have to say this drawing is the highlight to my week and of course my new sewing machine. I am still struggling with soft pencils and my sharpener, I think it is sanding one side down more than another… not exactly sure why. So hoping I won’t be needing a new one. If anyone has suggestions it would be much appreciated. I feel like crying when I lose a pencil due to faulty equipment—just so frustrating.
The low note, bracket-wise Wichita State lost…. Sad to say the least. And even Kansas State lost today. The upsets are making things interesting (with so many #2s losing out).
Hope I get some more drawing time in tomorrow.
Portrait Update #5, "Renna" ©2012 alecia goodman to present
I can’t believe how much I was able to do this past weekend. Sadly I did have a white charcoal pencil decide to disintegrate, luckily the others are staying solid. I have started trying to use sandpaper on the really soft pencils to get my point, when the pencil sharpener seems like overkill. Overall I think its really starting to come together and you can see her personality coming through. I have included my reference with the portrait update this time.
Portrait Update #4, "Renna" ©2012 alecia goodman to present
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