History


Sargeant - A Man Reading
wash drawing

As with most drawing disciplines. Portrait drawing has more than one possible purpose. It can be a simple sketch, a passing image that catches the mind's eye and causes us to want to capture it on paper. It can be a preliminary for another work, painting or sculpture. It can stand alone as the end product of the effort. The portrait artist is welcome at a place and time when the photographer is not (formal gatherings, a Museum, or in court). It is also more welcome by those who dislike having their picture taken. To draw a portrait is to spend time studying a face in a focused manner and in a highly conscious state. If you would commit a face to memory, draw it.

Drawing Hints :

Notes: Now is a good time to become conscious of mark making. The stroke size direction and length is important to the whole. The next step after accuracy is mark making. Tell the story with the manner in which you make the strokes. Don't be too quick to erase or blend the marks out of existence. Ask each time, "Does this benefit the work?" Remember to ask and the work will benefit.

There is more to mark making than right or left handed bias. Practice and make an effort to provide an intentional pattern or stroke that is still there in the finished work. the drawing will be richer and more interesting.

Process

In drawing from the model we have begun to see, understand and better represent the image on the page. There is a definite advantage to working with the same face several times. Remember this when you would do portraits in the future.

Take the time to do several preliminary sketches - to become acquainted with the face as you warm up your hand and become accustomed to the person who is your subject. the subject will be more at ease after a few sketches, and settle down into a more natural pose.

In-Class work: Draw 3 - 5 minute warm up drawings of the subject - 1 or 2 fully developed drawings - try to capture a likeness - be conscioius of the whole composition including negative space be conscious of your mark making.

Homework Assignment in addition to weekly sketchbook drawings:
Due November 5, 2003, - thumbnail sketches for your self-portrait.