Monday 21 May 2012

George Bernard Shaw Portrait with Conte Crayons

I've been painting a lot lately so yesterday I felt like using a material that was more tactile with the paper. I had a desire to make something that I could feel evolving directly from my fingers, something that I could smudge and smear if you know what I mean?? So I decided to give these Conte Drawing Crayons from my travel kit a go.
It was my first time using these crayons, and I have to admit I really enjoyed using them. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but they are most like a hard pastel and if you use them as vigorously as I did, very messy with chalk powder. But still I loved them enough to buy two larger sets, and as they are relatively cheap for what they are, I have no quibbles in recommending them to anyone that likes pastels or as an extra media to use in art journals. How cheap = set above cost me £3 (for 4 sticks), and two sets of 12 cost £7.67 each (after shopping around, the rrp is about £12 for them) so not a professional artist media price for a something I do think is professional in quality. I decided to draw GBS with my sticks and here's how he turned out:
Not a photographic but a relative likeness I think. I was most trying to get the little smirk you kind of see behind his beard - that 'intelligent-smile-that's-not-smiling-at-all' look, that I've seen him give in more than one picture. Here's how he started:
I know!! A bit different right??? LOL I had no idea how he'd turn out, so for more of an experiment for myself than anything, I took stills after every layer and produced this 90 second transition movie showing his evolution from this funny scribble:
Hope you enjoy and a very happy Monday to everyone :) xx

15 comments:

  1. Well done he is gorgeous!
    ManonX

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  2. Wow! He is great.It was really good seeing the different stages on the video.

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  3. Very well created ~ handsome ~ composition, depth ~ excellent ~ Wow! ~thanks, namaste, ^_^

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  4. Just Beautiful!!!!!!!

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  5. Amazing. Thanx so much for sharing. I am off to color my stick figures ;)

    KimMJ
    bast830@comcast.net

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  6. very fascinating!! love your attitude!!

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  7. Wonderful--and I enjoyed watching the progression! Your nails always look fabulous (how do you do that?) :)

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  8. Ooh, impressive! Beautifully done!

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  9. Impressive portrait! Love the video too.

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  10. WOW!!
    Beautiful work, Jennibellie!
    It is amazing what you can do with little sticks of color, right?!

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  11. oh Jennibellie, excellent portrait!! I loved seeing the before and after. Isn't it amazing?! Drawing is really all about layering, isn't it? About looking at dark and light (rather than cheek or beard or whatever...) You did a great job on this. I love the mouth part...xoxo

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  12. Wow!! When you said crayons, I expected a kid-like drawing. Was I ever surprised!! What a wonderful portrait!

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  13. Fantastic! I'm enjoying your blog ... thanks!

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