Katie
Australian How To Paint|Issue 31
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
Katie

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

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