100 Portraits???
11/09/2011 07:43:00 PM Posted In ink sketches , Number 1 , portrait Edit This 18 Comments »
I've read about a project involving doing 100 portraits. I'm so impressed by the very idea, but I have to say, I find the thought of it quite daunting. I've been pondering the whole thing for quite some time, and this is what I've come up with. I've decided to commit to doing 5 portraits. Then I'll try 5 more. Is it cowardice? Fear of commitment? Fear of failure? Lack of stamina? ...... I don't know. Probably a bit of all of that, and depending on the day, more of 1 thing than another. But right now, that approach feels much more doable.
So, today I started. I did this one in ink in my 5.5 x 8.5 sketchbook. That's the book I rely on when I'm feeling less than secure about what I'm doing. I decided to use ink, even though I dearly love graphite for portraits, because with ink what you put down stays. For me that inevitably leads to less than perfect images (as though I've ever achieved perfection in anything I've done, regardless of the medium) which is both a challenge and a comfort. The challenge is obvious, but the comfort for me is that the expectation I have of myself is a tad lower than if I'm using pencil.
Even though the sketchbook is small, the sketch itself is even smaller (about 2.5 x 4). I expect that as I get more confident the sketches will get larger ... or not. So, here he is.....
So, today I started. I did this one in ink in my 5.5 x 8.5 sketchbook. That's the book I rely on when I'm feeling less than secure about what I'm doing. I decided to use ink, even though I dearly love graphite for portraits, because with ink what you put down stays. For me that inevitably leads to less than perfect images (as though I've ever achieved perfection in anything I've done, regardless of the medium) which is both a challenge and a comfort. The challenge is obvious, but the comfort for me is that the expectation I have of myself is a tad lower than if I'm using pencil.
Even though the sketchbook is small, the sketch itself is even smaller (about 2.5 x 4). I expect that as I get more confident the sketches will get larger ... or not. So, here he is.....
18 comments:
Oh Nancy! I like him. He looks like someone I may have known in the 60s or early 70s.
I am so looking forward to your next 4 and then??
I haven't been able to get online all day until now. I am checking out trying an AT&T WI-FI hotspot at my house (maybe something like you have?) tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed,
xoxo
Wow, Nancy!! Brava! I think it is so much more difficult capturing faces in pen than pencil . . . aside even from the fact that what you put down stays. It's hard to capture the planes of the face . . . the details . . . in pen. And you did a fantastic job!! I am looking forward to the next one!!
You are braver and more talented than I. I can't seem to draw people or animals at all. But drawing 100 of them (even if it's 5 at a time) would really help, I'm sure. Practice, practice, practice. I can't do it right now, but I will keep that in mind...in a notebook I don't care about. ;) This turned out really well and I'll be waiting to see more! :):)
100 hundred portraits really?!!! Hmmm... it'd be so tough for me.
But I do agree with you...trying 5 first would be alright, and I really like your first one! Who is he?
Yes...5 is a more do-able number and you can gradually add more lots of 5 as you progress along. Wonderful sketch...I like that you used ink. I'll look forward to seeing more. I find sketching directly in ink pen a little scary at first but, once I see a resemblance, I begin to relax.
~ Serena :)
Hi Nanke! Thanks for stopping over at my blog. Yes, I'm hoping to do a painting of some sort with the leaves in it. The colours reflect my lounge room colour scheme exactly! I love your portrait. It reminds me of a thin faced George Harrison from The Beatles. I can't wait to see more! Paula :)
Wow! It's been a while since I dropped by and I can see the improvement! I really like your composition of the portrait and his facial expression is wonderful. I hope you do 100 portraits!
I like your approach with 5 at a time. A good way to build confidence. And I agree with Betty, Wow! You're off to a great start!
Excellent start Nancy !! I think you are really brave to even do one!! So thinking of five is already a challenge ! I'm sure you'll love it and I love this first one !
Great job! You are a brave soul going for it with pen ;). I think sticking to 5 portraits at a time sets a realistic goal that won't overwhelm you, but still gives you something to strive for. Good luck.
Stay inspired!
One step at a time , or five:) that's the way.
He is full of charcater..well done, I'd say!!!!
You can easliy complete the cahllenge! :)
Gwen xx
You can do 100 or maybe not. I did 100, but they were not as lovely as this first sketch. Keep up the good work.
Your sketch looks great Nancy! Good luck, and practice makes perfect :D taking on a challenge, even 5 at a time is so inspiring!
A wonderful portrait. And doing 5 instead of 100 is not cowardice, it's common sense. ;-)
Great project. Awesome sketch. I agree about ink. That's what I like about it too, that you just have to live with what you put down. It's the imperfections that give things character. Looking forward to seeing more!
I thought about this project a afew times, and I always end up not doint it due to teh number it self, 100 is a big number when you try to get through 1 or 3 things within a day (lol)... But I think you have a great take on it, 5 at a time, great idea!!! And what a start, its great, looking forward seeing who else you will draw. Great inspiration : )
Excellent! Look forward to seeing more. The 100 Faces project that I know is from Carla Sonheim's book Drawing Lab - and I have about 40 more to go!
Wow, Nancy! This is great! I like the way you've broken down the 100 project into more manageable and less intimidating 5s!
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