Keeping the pencil skills sharp. Last year at The Portrait Society Conference in DC, I captured some awesome reference photos of one of the models brought in for the show. “Steve” was used during Quang Ho and Kevin Macpherson’s portrait session on color and structure. Caught Steve in the hallway – was kind enough to let me take a few great reference shots. Love the white beard and hair, the yellow tobacco staining around his mustache, and the outfit. Tons of character. In my first drawing of Steve, I exaggerated/shortened him a bit – gave the drawing a whimsical, fantastical feel. In this pose, I liked how Steve gripped and rested on his cane and wasn’t making direct eye contact – made him a feel more refined and dignified, so I emphasized his length in this drawing.
