Fall 2011 Observational Drawing Final Portfolio

For the final in my observational drawing class, we had to present a portfolio for critique. Two pieces were assigned and the third could be a work of our choosing, all of which needed to be matted. All mats were hand cut by yours truly, and the works framed.

Artwork of Choice to round out the portfolio is a still life set up on my desk. Two drinking glasses courtesy of IKEA, a mini-bust of David and a Space Ghost action figure comprise the work. Ebony pencil on 70lb drawing paper. Image size 16"x20", hand cut black mat board frame, total work size 20"x24"(image plus 2" border)

This is my Master Reproduction piece. For this assignment we had to recreate the work of a master in our field of study and also give a presentation on the artist. There are many artists and cartoons that have inspired me to want to get into animation, but since this project had to be rendered in charcoal it had to be an artwork by the artist that had some dimension to reproduce. Unfortunately for me, a lot of the animation I like is 2-D. Fortunately for me, Bruce Timm, does a lot of fan art that you can find on a Google search. I took a piece he did of Dejah Thoris from the John Carter/Mars books by Edgar Rice Burroughs and did a 2 up of the image in charcoal. The charcoal work was done with charcoal sticks, both vine and compressed, and no charcoal pencils were done for line work. Any outlines or hard edges were produced with kneaded eraser and sharpened charcoal sticks. I used chalk for some highlights as the workable fixative was too strong that I used between drawing sessions, so the highlights wouldn't lift out. Charcoal sticks (vine and compressed) and chalk on 70lb drawing paper. Image size 16"x20", hand cut black mat board frame, total work size 20"x24"(image plus 2" border)


For the Final, we were assigned to do a self-portrait in charcoal where we could transplant our face onto any background or setting. Options were to work our portraits into movie posters, game box covers, etc. I chose to put myself on the cover of the game, Castlevania Lords of Shadow. I did a 2 up of a close-up of Gabriel Belmont from the cover of the game, and drew myself from a mirror. This was fun because I got to become an epic video game star for my portrait. I love the game and couldn't pass up the chance to write myself into it somehow, that and give myself the thick moppy hair that I'll never have. The charcoal work was done with charcoal sticks, both vine and compressed, and no charcoal pencils were done for line work. Any outlines or hard edges were produced with kneaded eraser and sharpened charcoal sticks. Highlights on this one were done completely with kneeded eraser and blending the charcoal. This time I built the portrait out of vine charcoal first then went back with the compressed. I think I got a good atmospheric effect with the clouds in the background and the lighting on the armor. Charcoal sticks (vine and compressed) on 70lb drawing paper. Image size 16"x20", hand cut black mat board frame, total work size 20"x24"(image plus 2" border)