PENCIL PORTRAITS By Michael Yacono

In drawing these portraits the Artist attempted to synthesize photography using pencil techniques. Armed with an arsenal of assorted B grade pencils, Graphite Sticks, cones, cotton balls & swabs, xacto knive with fresh blades and a sheet of medium to fine sandpapers the Artist was prepared to do battle. All that was left was the drawing surface. He had a choice of materials to choose from. His choice had been made. It was an 18 x 24 inch Strathmore pad. Each portrait varied in time. Some were completed in less than a day while others took longer. In Portraiture, achieving a likeness may come easy while shading and adding the details can be painstaking at best. At times there can be a real struggle in achieving anything more than a sketch. There are many variables both in mind and body. For some, drawing or painting is a form of meditation. Even the slightest disturbance can be a major distraction. A knock at the door or a phone call can ruin the momento and add hours to a session. This Artist likes to work at night where there is less chance of distraction. Others crave plenty of noise and even blast their stereo. For this Artist music can be very much an accompaniment. He likes to work by mood and the spacey sounds of Kitaro tendto soothe the savage beast within. Often he would meet the sunrise with a completed task. Other times several sessions may pass before there is even a hint of completion.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• portraits
• portraiture
• pencil
• graphite
• drawing
• sketching
• etc.