Saturday, January 17, 2009

The Chef, 12" x 16", Oil Base pencil/graphite, 2009

Last week I went for a fast food at a Food Shop and one guy served me, he had a face that has contrasts-Silky smooth hair on his head but his beard was coarse and curly. Immediately I knew I'll love to put my graphite and oil base pencil into that.




I asked him and he agreed! I took my time to concentrate on these two opposites.

I have used Pitt Oil base pencil (hard and soft) and a H graphite pencil on a self sanded watercolour paper.

13 comments:

Gabriel Campanario said...

the courage you have to ask people to let you draw them is so inspiring, i hope to get to that point some day, this is an awesome portrait

adebanji said...

Thanks Gabi! I learnt this from sketching on the train and talking to people I sketch, with time my confidence and courage increased!

Unknown said...

Banji, who can resist an offer from a guy like you! I'll have to see if I can find an oil based pencil in my local stores. Your sketch inspires me!

adebanji said...

Go for it Sheila! Sometimes it is good to try out different mediums just to find out what you are comfortable with and that's exactly what has happened with my adventure with the Oil Base pencils- I have fallen in love with them!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Fabulous drawing and wonderful sketches on your blog. You're a treasure trove of inspiration! I'll have to be braver and start asking people I find interesting if I can draw them instead of lurking, drawing in the shadows.

Isabel said...

Don´t know your oil base pencil but your portrait is so good and his being shines through in the sketch.

adebanji said...

Thanks Jeanette, Go for it! I would tell you, some people would refuse. I have had so many and walked away in disappointment but also I have had so many too that agreed and made my day like this one!
I have also noticed that you could draw from models or draw commissions for years without getting a spur, but when you actually draw a model you have a keen interest in- there is something that clicks from the first stroke of that piece to the last! So never give up! Give it a GO!

adebanji said...

Thanks for your keen observation!

Isabel, I have put a link to the company that produces these oil based pencils- have a look. Try different ones- somehow one will suit you better

dominique eichi said...

Beautiful portrait Adebanji, even your background is great. Is that his longs hairs the dark area on the left ? His beard on that side looks to have different height than the beard from the other side ?

adebanji said...

Thanks Dominique! You are right about your observation and even though that is how it is naturally, I think it is good to adjust these things- as Morgan Weistling said in one of his videos that- if a work is viewed by judges in a competition, they are not going to believe the model has cross-eyes, because they don't know the model. So if the model has cross eyes its better to correct it, so it looks normal and visually correct. The same applies to this beard!

Thanks a million!

Isabel said...

Thank you I'll be checking your link

Edward Burton said...

WONDERFUL portrait, Adebanji! You did a great job showing the differences of his hair. Well done!

adebanji said...

Thanks Ed! Your comments are highly appreciated!