Clive Owen Portrait

Above is the portrait of Clive Owen, the man in the movies King Arthur. Recently, i found myself very much enjoy drawing portraits. I feel like God creating image... lol, not really to that extend, pardon me. But i certainly feel like a plastic surgeon, sculpting the subject cheekbones, forehead, eye sockets, lips etc. Suddenly, i became their hairdresser, styling their hairdo. I am now the makeup artist, plucking their eyebrow, and shaving their beard... its so much fun. Anyway, i hope you will enjoy this work progress post on how i finish this portiats Any comments n critics is most welcome. Cheers

1. Using the grid method, i outline softly the subjects features, focusing on getting the right proportion. It is important to be patience and get the right proportion at starts. I ever made the mistake of jumping into detail drawing only to realize that the proportion or perspective is wrong, by then is too late. It is like choosing your life time partner, cant really afford to make mistake at start.

2. I have a choice of drawing this portrait in details inch by inch, but i choose the positive and negative form shading method instead. Basically i just hold my pencil on long loose end to allow less control but more varies moment, for rougher strokes and feelings in the dark space and leaving the highlight white. This helps to bring out the forms n contour.

3. Once the basic form is up, i start working on the details. Since i am right-handed for drawing, (haha, in other cases, i may choose to use left hand instead :P) I prefer start on the top left hand corner of my drawing space, usually the eyes. By doing so, the chances of smudging the finished part of the drawing with my drawing hand is reduce.

4. Filling in the details takes alot of patience and effort. By having my drawing platform incline at an angle as mention on my earlier post, it helps me to see better. I am still learning on various methods and techniques to better achieve lifelike skin texture. I guess is still more practice.

5. At this stage, it is good to check back on the proportion of the subject. Check again, to reaffirms the likeness of the subject. This is where i got stuck upon, thinking how to do with the beard and mustache. Sometimes stumbling onto this kind of challenge, is where i enjoy most. The agony searching for solution, the fear of screwing up the whole drawing... geez... :P

6. Nevertheless, i just go ahead and start planting hair on his mouth.. lol... weeeeee i wish i have such a cool beard and mustache.

7. All the hard work is worthwhile. Nothing beats the feeling of doing what you enjoy most. Yea i know i should have done better... and i will... Tips of the day: a. off your msn and HP, making sure are alone indulging in your drawing world.... no $$ no honey... Here is the close-up.