Katie

This artist employs a trademark emphasis on tonal values – seeking the lightest and the darkest parts of her models. she always looks for the light, and where it is hitting the subject.

- Lyn Felsman

STEP ONE

For my facial portraits, I sometimes start with one of the eyes. This then gives me something by which I can measure everything else on the face. There are many other ways of drawing up portraits of course – and each teacher or pupil will have their own way of doing it.

STEP TWO

My finished drawing. I go over it to make sure that everything is lined up correctly. I will make allowances along the way when I get the coloring in place. Most ‘front on’ portraits are easier to do, as they usually have the eyes an eye-width apart; the side of the nose in line with the corners of the eyes; and the corner of the mouth in line with the pupils of the eyes. Look at angles of lines relative to other lines. Sometimes looking at things upside-down and drawing them from that angle can be helpful. I noticed with my model that the left eye would probably need adjusting as I progressed.

STEP THREE

I start to pastel in some of the tonal values of the forehead. I do not blend the pastels together with my fingers, but rather blend with the ochre pastel over the top of the blocked in colors – this gives a very full and soft look.

Keep building up with the pastel, adding the colors until you are happy with the finish.

Having said that, sometimes I do touch the pastel (not rubbing) to help the medium fill into the paper.

STEP FOUR