charcoal portraits
messy stuff. playing with charcoal studies in my sketchbook, about 6" x 8", putting transparent packing tape across each page to stop the smear. Charcoal always loosens me up, to a point of play. I also like the way it can look like black fire, or sooty smoke.
I love the middle one... I love charcoal... even if I almost never use it.
ReplyDeleteDoes the packing tape yellow over time?
i'm not really sure about the archivalness of that tape. It probably does yellow, but I'm not really worried about it. I keep my books shut for the most part after they are finished, and they're just sketches anyway. I'd rather use what I have available than be too worried about things lasting forever.
ReplyDeletewhat about using matte acrylic medium instead of tape? These are cool sketches. I really like the last one. Charcoal is fun, but I just can't use it in that small a size. I end up with a blurry black cloud.
ReplyDeleteReally cool though? You always impress.
yeah, I don't use medium on the charcoal because of the smear factor. Even after spray fixing them (which bothers me with smell), they still can smear with the medium, so I just don't fuss with it, and simply use tape. I'm not really worried about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughts Bgoz! I'm always curious how other people work.
I always love seeing your charcoal sketches. I feel like 'bgoz' my charcoal always end up as one big smear. I guess I just need more practice. It is nice to know what size you are working with.
ReplyDeletethanks Toni! If you have a hard time working small, then there's no harm in practicing big. I think working small in my sketchbook was something that I also grew into, due to having to use it for college and have a lot of figure studies inside of the book. Don't let it intimidate you to see work that other people are doing. You will have your own beautiful way of making charcoal sing, and if that means big, then give it a try!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful. You are such a great artist ...
ReplyDeletethanks very much Nancy. Sweet things to say :)
ReplyDelete