Growing Stronger, Updated

This is a piece I've been working for awhile. I started it in January and let it sit for awhile. To see what it looked like then, go here. The more I looked at her, the more I wanted to add more color. I love using the watercolor over gesso technique, but sometimes I want more color. I felt like I was putting her makeup on this morning as I dabbed some pan pastel color here and there! She may be done, or maybe not. I don't seem to be in a hurry with this one at all.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. I always appreciate your comments.

I'm linking this with the 29 Faces Challenge . Check it out to see some fabulous work from artists all around the world.

Three more stylized faces on gessoed chipboard today. I love catching glimpses of the text and colors underneath the gesso, as well as the great texture of the gesso. I used a combination of marker and colored pencil. This is actually going to be a little booklet which I will show soon. I'm so busy this week and finding that doing these little faces is a welcome diversion.

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Stylized Faces

I don't know that I'm good at stylized faces. I've been doodling faces my whole life, but when I try to be deliberately stylized, I feel a bit of a block. Anyway, here are three attempts at a stylized face, all using the same reference.

I'm call this last one "After the Swim" thanks to her green hair! These faces were so fun to do. They're on pieces of chipboard with a little gesso, then some marker and colored pencil -- another idea from Carla Sonheim's Faces 101 class. I like how each one is very different, even though I was looking at the same photo reference for inspiration.

Just Another (Pretty?) Pastel Face

For some reason, this face is making me think of Little Red Riding Hood. My what big eyes you have! My what a big mouth you have! I was sketching with pan pastels at first, then gradually added some detail with pencil, and here she is. I kind of like her.

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Pretty in Pastel

Here is another face drawn first with chalk pastel, then going in with pencil to add some detail. I really love the softness of the pastel. I'm right on schedule with the 29 Faces Challenge so far! Go take a look at some of the beautiful work being done in this challenge, or maybe even join in yourself!

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Ink Dropper Faces - Vintage Ladies

 I looked online for vintage ladies to draw this set of ink dropper sketches. Their elaborate hairstlyles and accessories are so fun to draw! This method of drawing can be challenging because it is hard to control what happens with the blobs of ink in the process. There are elements in each drawing that I'm happy with, and other areas that I like less, but I do love the dramatic quality of ink. 

Faces in Pastel

Even though I didn't really have time for it, I couldn't resist signing up for Carla Sonheim's Faces 101 Class during the last week in January. Carla's approach to teaching drawing is so creative and fun. One technique from the class I'm really enjoying is drawing with pastel, using an eraser to draw. Here is one effort done in pan pastel on black paper. 

I'd never worked with pan pastels before and I've discovered that I really enjoy drawing with them!
The next two were done using chalk pastels, along with a bit of pencil sketching to add some definition and detail.

Most of the drawing for these faces is done with your finger, then using eraser to "draw" and create highlights, as a face gradually emerges. I'd drawn with pastel before, but never felt comfortable with it and honestly thought I didn't like it. But now I know better! Even though my faces seem gloomy, I'm feeling happy inside to draw this way.

Thanks for visiting! I'm linking this to the 29 Faces Challenge hosted by Ayala Art.