Warming Back Up With Portraits!

I do not own the rights to the picture on the left, I merely found it via an internet search and used it for educational purposes.

Hello Everyone!!!! I'm back at it again with back to back posts! This time I'm coming at you with a little check in for myself. Lately, I've been so busy with the business side of things that I haven't really drawn anything in a while. And so, for me, the best way to dive back into everything is to start with a portrait study!

I was worried you guys....whenever I go some time without drawing, this creeping fear crawls up like I lost the skill. But, I have to say that this isn't too shabby. If I have one critique, it would be scale, and perhaps proportions. When you're an artist you start to realize that there is no such thing as an ugly person and I become so delighted with capturing that person's likeness that I tend to draw features larger than they actually appear. For comics and such this bias is not too bad but, for portraits and figure drawing I have to hold myself back a little. :)

I also love how incomplete this looked when I first started it. If only I had a picture, just to remind myself and others that it's not about where you start, or how you start, but, ultimately, it's about how you finish.

My speed is also improving as I did most of this on the 1 hour train drive to work. I do not mean to come off as bragging, it's just, speed is important for comics so it is something that is always in the back of my mind.

I also, want to up my game digitally. I want to learn some new rendering techniques, so that my finishes are a little smoother--more seamless if you will. And so here they are again the original, and my attempt!

Also! Does anyone know what's happening anatomically with her fingers? I had some trouble figuring it out! But, if you do, I'd love to know so feel free to email me at najwastanford@gmail.com!

Until Next Time!