The first thing to remember in this post is that these are general guidelines. I want to give you and idea of what to expect from a portrait sitting but the portrait is a custom work of art and is treated as such. I work hard to make sure I am not using a formula because each portrait should be unique. I like to keep the possibilities open so that anything is possible.
The Charcoal Portrait Drawing can be done from life or from photos. In this post I will share examples of both drawings and the process. In general, the first difference is seen in price. I offer a discount if a portrait is done from life because I truly feel it’s an experience I’d like to share with as many people as possible, especially today when technology is so much a part of our lives.
This Charcoal Drawing was done from life in a couple of hours. Both the subject and her parent were thrilled to watch the drawing take place. It’s something they will remember positively for the rest of their lives.
But also because the process of working from photos takes several more steps to complete the final drawing. First among those is taking the photos but then then I carefully go through all the photos (sometimes several hundred) to select the best one. When working from photos it can often require combining multiple photos to make the final portrait.
This is the younger sister of the girl above. At 4 years old it was not possible for her to pose. Since I had already done the previous drawing and wanted a similar feel to that portrait, the photos didn’t take more than a few minutes. All the lights and set up were the same and all I needed to do was wait until she was calm enough to take the photo. One thing to notice here is that she isn’t smiling. The smile lends itself well to a snapshot but often has a false look in art. Additionally, it would have been out of place with the other portrait when hanging on the wall.
There is a sophistication to the portrait that is difficult to capture with a smile. One of the reasons for this is that advertising has over used the smile to such an extent that it looks insincere. The portrait as a work of art and symbol of respect for human life has a different intention than the commercial intention of an advertisement.
That said, there are advantages to having a portrait done from a photo. Not everyone is capable of posing for their portrait for any number of reasons. Additionally, some poses that are easy to capture with a photo are not possible from life. In line with that, many possibilities can be explored very quickly by using a camera.
I often stress the benefits of having a portrait done from life but there are benefits to each approach.
THE PROCESS - FROM LIFE
If the subject poses from life, I may do a couple of two minute drawings in search of a good pose. I do this to familiarize myself with their features but also to find the most flattering angles for the final portrait. These quick drawings help to relax the subject who may never have posed for an artist before and they also serve to warm me up.
This portrait done from life is actually more of a mulit-media piece. It has watercolor and paint.
After this initial warm up, I’ll pose the subject and we’ll begin the final drawing. I’ll draw for approximately 20 minutes while they hold pose. I usually set a timer for the subject to take a break. At this point they can get up, stretch, walk around the room and look at the progress of the drawing. The break lasts for 4-5 minutes. Then the subject resumes the same pose and we work for another 20 minutes.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
When drawing a head and shoulders, the entire session takes a couple of hours but this depends largely on a variety of factors, like how well the sitter is posing but also minor things like how much hair is showing and if there is a lot. So, a female with a lot of curly hair might take slightly longer than a male with short hair. If the portrait is showing more of the figure like a 3/4 figure or a full figure it may take slightly longer as well. In any case, the portrait is usually finished in one sitting.
The final portrait drawing seen in the video above.
THE PROCESS - FROM PHOTOS
If the portrait is done from photos, the best way to proceed is to have me take the photos. This is because as an artist I take photos with the intention of making a work of art. I’m looking at the lighting, camera angel, pose, expression and more to capture and explore opportunities for a beautiful work of art.
This is an example of a portrait done from a photo that I took. It has a level of finish that I could have gotten from life but it’s doubtful that the model would been able or willing to hold the pose that long. In general, drawings from life have a looser feel and finish to them.
THE PORTRAIT FROM YOUR PHOTO
I can work from photos provided to me. Sometimes this is the only option. Other times the client needs or wants to take the photos on their own. In this case, I have a little diagram that shows how to light subject and where the photographer can position themselves for optimal results.
This charcoal portrait was doen from a photo given to me by the person commissioning the piece. In this case, it was impossible to do the drawing any other way. In the final drawing I eliminated much of the detail in the background to focus on the figures and the determination on the face of the subject. The drawing was large and very meaningful. This is one of the best uses of photos provided to me in order to produce a portrait as a surprise.
This is another example of a portrait done from a photo provided to me by the person commissioning the portrait. Even though the photos were professionally done, I used multiple photos to complete the final drawing. Again, I simplified the background in order to focus on the main subject.
To see more portrait options and prices or to contact Dorian please visit his website at: DoriansPortraits.com