Monday, February 09, 2009

Graphite Study Drawings of two lovely children. 13" x 9", Graphite/Oil base pencil on Watercolour paper, 2009

I recently posted sketches I did of these two lovely children and I have now completed the graphite study drawings in preparation for the painting and comments from their parents.




I have used graphite pencils and oil base pencils for this piece on a self sanded Cotman watercolour paper.




I tried to capture the boy in one of his funny moods and the girl with the spark of wonder, these are things I observed keenly in both of them, the day I went to sketch them from life.




Hope they like the studies so I can get down to business on the actual paintings.

22 comments:

dominique eichi said...

Adebanji, I am so partial to your graphite pieces and these two are just beautiful.
BUT there is something that made me SMILE and LAUGH is your 3 little u-tube piece on the right. Music does tame the wild beast and the symphony with your son was fabulous. Josh is coming along quite nicely as your apprentice. =)

Theresa Rankin said...

Incredible work!! I have not seen one thing that I did not admire!

adebanji said...

Thanks Dominique! Yes you are right about the music taming the wild beast because music does special things especially for me! I love the coolest jazz and classicals while working and it has a real calming effect!

Josh is really coming on well, only I'm not sure he is gonna be an artist. He'll just have to love it for now!

The youtube pieces are quite funny and I have a look too to make me smile too!

adebanji said...

Thanks Theresa, your comments are really contagious in a good way- Because when an artist gets that kind of feedback, that artist is bound to be encouraged and that's how you've made me feel!

Helen Parkhill said...

Beautiful, sensitive portrayals of these two children . . . you have captured the wonder and joy of the very young. Well done!

adebanji said...

Thanks Helen!!!

adebanji said...

Thanks Helen!!!

Unknown said...

You're so fortunate to be able to sketch your subjects (especially children) from life. You really do capture more of their personality that way. How fortunate they are to be able to have a portrait done by the brilliant Banji. I can hardly wait to see the completed or in progress work also. You're off to a fantastic start!

adebanji said...

Thanks Sheila!!

I hope this portrait would really help me to paint more children as I never get tired of watching children and their simple way of viewing and taking life, sometimes I wish I was a child again!

Edward Burton said...

Wow, Adebanji, extraordinary portraits! I can't wait to see the painted versions!

adebanji said...

Thanks Edward, I can't wait to get it going too, as really enjoyed these ones!

Anonymous said...

Oh, these "sketches" are fabulous! The two on the bottom seem to be very developed and finished works of art. All of that sketching on the tube really pays off. You've trained yourself well.

adebanji said...

Thanks Silvina!

Yes it is paying off, but moreover I will say I have become more and more interested in portraying the human face as it never ceeases to make me WONDER!

The bottom two are better pictures taken of the same piece (more detail), although the girl has been worked on a bit more in the lower version.

dominique eichi said...

Adebanji, What is the oil base pencil you use ?

adebanji said...

PITT Oil base pencil by Faber Castell.

They come in hard, soft and extra soft.

artbyakiko said...

Beautiful drawings! I love them both. Are you saying these are just studies for the paintings?

adebanji said...

Thanks Akiko, I wouldn't say they are just studies because the study can be taken to any length as far as it gives one the time and experience to experiment on how the main piece would work out, but yes, these are not the main commission.

James Parker said...

Absolutely superb. You can reach out and capture expressions and emotions so well. I think your skill and ability is an extension of what you have in your heart...yours is a heart of gold.

adebanji said...

Thanks for that reviving comment James!

Mona Diane Conner said...

Adebanji, these are lovely. I especially like the one of the little girl. Are these totally from life and no photographic support at all? Kids move around so much.

adebanji said...

Thanks Mona, these rre from photographs.

The initial sketches were the ones from life. A link to them has been inserted on the post.

sandy said...

I just came across these drawings, wow, great work!! Such an inspiration to anybody learning graphite portraits.