It's actually a horizontally orientated photo, since it would be rather uncomfortable to sit like that. But for my purposes, I just turned the photo. This is done on gray charcoal paper with graphite and colored pencil. Originally I was intending to transfer this to canvas and do a color pencil/ink wash finish since I really want to try and explore that medium a bit more. I created this charcoal abstract, I guess you can call it, based on Richard Schmid's old figure painting book. It was intended for a different photo by the same artist. All I did was sprinkle powdered charcoal on the surface, wet it, brush it around, added matte medium to create a cool gray tone and make the surface non-absorbent. Then I sprinkle some more powder and sprayed heavier concentrations of water and tilted the board letting it drip here and there. Voila! I noticed that some of the gestures within the charcoal mimicked the photo I had already used, so went ahead and started drawing it again. Perhaps colored pencil might work on the charcoal surface? Nope, so I quickly erased what I could. After looking at it today, I noticed some trouble areas that I will address tonight after work, but here's the process so far. Bear with me, most of them are cell phone pics.
After I finish it up and fix what I don't like, I'll post a better picture of the final image. All in all though, I love the process. It has been years since I used charcoal. I couldn't stand it because it would get all on my hands and in turn all over my paper. Since the surface is already toned and non-absorbent, the charcoal is easily erased or brushed off and any marks I may make by accident are barely noticeable. But the reality is I hate getting my hands dirty. I ended up using charcoal pencils, which on the matte medium surface erases completely off like magic with virtually no residual marks left. Needless to say, I'll be playing with this much more. Enjoy!
You're getting really nice effects here! I haven't seriously used charcoal since college, mostly because of the dirty hands problem. Though nothing really makes a mark like a big chunk of compressed charcoal.
ReplyDeleteI love how the figure starts emerging out of the grey. Thank you for sharing this process, Julian. I prefer the way you turned the photo upright.
ReplyDeleteThis is very inspiring process and liking the outcome so far. I'd like to get dirty with paints but I never know when to stop and at the end I'll have a weird blob of sh..te ;D. Looking forward for next post!
ReplyDeleteJohn: Thanks man. Charcoal is fun. I think I'm gonna go to town and make this a really nice finished piece.
ReplyDeleteKim: Thats exactly what I was going for! That big shape formed by the drip was so perfect for what I wanted to do :) And yes, the vertical image is nicer. Much more dynamic. Although from what other models have told me, even if its just a photo that pose is not an easy one to hold
Ivanka: Thank you very much :) I'm glad you feel inspired. The only way to get better is to just go ahead and do it. So don't be afraid of the mess or the "weird blob" that materializes on the surface. Just embrace the accidents and learn from each experience.