Jeremy Brett (Sherlock Holmes) pastel on cardboard

 

Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes

Pastel drawing on grey cardboard by Martha Guthrie

28 december 2012

 

This black and white pastel I drew on the thick grey cardboard from the back of a pack Canson Bristol paper.

Using fixative on this cardboard immediately dulled the pastel tones, they 'sank' away before my eyes.

His face looks slightly twisted, but I like how the eyes turned out. Jeremy actually looks at you, something I had trouble with before.

 

I still prefer normal drawing pencils over the crudeness of the pastel chalks, but seeing how other artists make life like portraits with pastels, I think I should persevere. One day I'll master it :-) 

 

Sofie Grabol as Sarah Lund (The Killing)

 

Sofie Grabol as Sarah Lund in 'The Killing'

Danish actrice.

Pastel by Martha Guthrie on Bristol paper

26 december 2012

 



Loving the Danish detective series "The Killing", I thought I'd try the main actrice, Sofie Grabol.

Self portrait Martha (pastel)

 

Self portrait on sketching paper

Pastel

19 december 2012

 

I tried to draw a bit more expressive this time. Yes yes, you're right, I should try a little harder.

Afraid of drawing too dark, the pastel turned out far too light.

A learning process I presume.

Learning every day :-)

Jeremy Brett - Sherlock Holmes

 

Jeremy Brett - Sherlock Holmes

Pastel drawing on sketching paper by Martha Guthrie

17 december 2012

 

No doubt Jeremy Brett was the best Sherlock ever.

 

As you can see I've been experimenting with pastel pencils some more. This time full colour. Ah, jeez, it's hard...

I understand that this is NOT what a good pastel should look like, but  I decided to place it for the record. Maybe some day we can see some progress.

 

I overused the fixative: with every layer I sprayed, the vibrant colours of the pastel died a little more.

Also Jeremy's eyes won't look the right way. He's supposed to look at you, but now, I have no idea where he's looking.

 

But it's not all entirely my fault... my camera distorted the picture. No matter how hard I try to get the settings right, or how hard I try to take a perfect 'straight from above' picture, the damn thing distorts the drawing, perspective and colour wise. Also it's hard to get it properly lit. The left side of the drawing is actually a lot darker than the right side, but in the photograph both sides seem the same. Oh well.

 

But I like the hat  :-)

Antony Hegarty (Antony and the Johnsons)

 

Antony Hegarty (Antony and the Johnsons)

Pastel on Bristol paper

Portrait by Martha Guthrie,

12 -12 -'12

 

My first colour drawing. I used pastel chalk pencils.

I think I'l be experimenting a bit more with colour.

 

Laurence Fox (second try)

 

Laurence Fox as DS James hathaway in 'Lewis'.

Pencil drawing on Bristol paper

Portrait by Martha Guthrie, 7 december 2012

 

 

Second try (check earlier post for first try). Slightly better.  Except for the hair... I decided to leave it like it is, before I'd make a complete mess of it.

 

Had some trouble -as usual- scanning the picture (the scanner doesn't seem to like subtile pencil lines), so I took a photograph of it and added the black background with computer.

 

I've been trying to draw portraits now for about three weeks. I have to admit that Laurence Fox was a difficult one. Hardly any lines/wrinkles in his face, but yet an unmistakable shape and look. Lips full, but no pouting expression, nose appears to be 'long' but it isn't, and a slightly cheeky look in his eyes.

I hope I caught some of those expressions in this picture.

 

On to the next one. I think I'll go for one of my favorite singers...

 

 

 

 

Colin Dexter, writer of 'Inspector Morse'

 

Colin Dexter, creator/writer of  'Inspector Morse' and 'Lewis'.

 

Portrait by Martha Guthrie.

Bristol paper, pencil.

3 december 2012

 

 

Learn more about Colin Dexter:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Dexterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Dexter