Overworked and Underdone

8/13/2009 10:03:00 AM Posted In , , Edit This 15 Comments »
Well, this drawing started out to be a quick ink sketch in my art journal. She became really cantankerous and just wouldn't cooperate. So, I decided I'd show her who was boss, and I switched to acrylic paint. "I'll show you!", I thought, laughing to myself. Well, she became even more defiant - nothing I did could tame her. "Aha!", I thought ... "colored pencil will give me more control than a paintbrush", so I brought out all my Prismacolor colored pencils. I tried various hardnesses and a variety of colors - I even used metallic colors on her lips. She laughed at me, dug in her heels, and became even more stubborn. So, I told her I was going to post her overworked, unfinished, self on my blog for all the world to see and threatened her with my pastels! She stuck out her tongue, showing her true, bratty nature.
So, true to my word, here she is. If the pastels don't work, I have one more trick up my sleeve - it's called "GESSO" ...... don't tell her.


15 comments:

Kelly said...

Nancy;
I have had this battle before with a few ladies I have tried to draw and paint. So... how did you use pencil crayons overtop of acrylics? I like her hair. Maybe now you could bring out your acrylics more on her face to lighten her up a bit with the shading? I think she looks great. I love your description as though she is real. Thanks for sharing.

Beverley Baird said...

I think she's lovely!

Alex said...

interesting story ^^ and I think the result looks just really good :) When people say that it's not about the destination, it's about the journey, this surely seemed like a fun one!

Vicki Holdwick said...

I like her, Nancy!

But I don't trust her either. She has that "look" like she could be a real brat!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

You are so funny Nancy. I love your writing, how can you be so talented in art and writing. What a Lady you are, my friend.
Kathy

Peachtreeart said...

Love the hues in her skin!

Deborah said...

Oh you're right, I see that determination around her mouth! Boy, this has really turned into a mix media project hasn't it? Good for you and sticking with it.

Elizabeth Golden said...

I love her hair. I always have problems with hair. She is lovely.

Michi Michaelson, Orange County, CA said...

This is a LOVELY drawing, Nancy! Your story behind her really gave me a chuckle, though!! LOL!!!!

Anonymous said...

Nancy, sometimes a recalcitrant person just needs a time out. I suggest you let her face the wall a while. Take a break. Look at some portraits by the masters. Come back in a day or two or three refreshed and with a fresh outlook. In the meantime start on something else. Ask a friend to pose and light her from the side to get some shadows. Keep working. There's a lot of promise in this portrait.
Joan Smith
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joangillmansmith/

Florence's Art said...

I like the drawing, but I enjoyed your comments and way of dealing with her more. Thanks for visiting my blog and the kind encouraging comments

kazumiwannabe said...

She looks beautiful and pensive - and the hair texture is great - seems like you won!

Anonymous said...

Cool blog, I had not come across nankestuff.blogspot.com previously in my searches!
Carry on the wonderful work!

Anonymous said...

Hi,

This is a question for the webmaster/admin here at nankestuff.blogspot.com.

May I use some of the information from this post right above if I give a backlink back to your site?

Thanks,
Daniel

Anonymous said...

Hi - I am really delighted to find this. cool job!