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Monday, December 21, 2009

"Contemplation" (DSFDF Portrait Swap), 5" x 4.5", Graphite on paper, 2009

Stealing precious holiday time in Tokyo, I managed to get one of the smallest portraits I've done till date. I never planned to do it this small. I was just doing my normal ritual of trying out a thumbnail of how I plan to compose the main piece and then I got stuck on the thumbnail. I noticed I could do all I wanted to express about this beautiful lady(unknown to me at present)on this small scale! It was a good time saver too, because I kept on wondering how I was going to do it on holiday but the small scale meant I could finish faster and keep my commitment to the challenge!



This is my entry into Karin Jurick's Different Strokes from Different Folks end of year challenge. It was the time for Portrait swapping again and after last years deal with James Parker and his frogs- this time I was given a precious young lady. I love bringing mood into my drawings and her face though not filled with striking drama had the feel of contemplation or some sudden gaze that had gotten her attention. I did my best to bring this to life from the picture reference I was given, hope she likes it....Funny enough she'll be drawing or painting me too- A very healthy way to share art and build creative artistic bonds.

I have used a rotring visupencil 0.7 on the beautiful paper in "The Urban Travellers Sketchbook" by Hush
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28 comments:

  1. Stephanie Berry12/21/2009 10:35 pm

    Very nice portrait--I enjoy your sketches. I'll look for her portrait of you.

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  2. adebanji12/21/2009 10:39 pm

    Thanks Stephanie!

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  3. Dana Cooper12/22/2009 12:21 am

    Lovely portrait...and so small! I'm sure she will love it.

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  4. Edward Burton12/22/2009 12:34 am

    An absolutely beautiful portrait, Adebanji. It looks a bit like an etching. Have you ever dabbled in etching?

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  5. Janet Pantry12/22/2009 1:18 am

    I love the moodiness of this, Adebanji, with that dark background. The lady will be chuffed with it,I'm sure ;)

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  6. Maria Kovalenko Leysens12/22/2009 1:57 am

    I was surprised to see the small size... You say so much in the sketch. Lovely.

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  7. adebanji12/22/2009 4:01 am

    Thanks Dana, Edward, Janet and Maria!

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  8. adebanji12/22/2009 4:04 am

    I can see what you mean, Edward. I did a bit of etching in art college but never ever tried it on my own.

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  9. Unknown12/22/2009 7:16 am

    Wow , what expression with the medium .

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  10. adebanji12/22/2009 8:32 am

    Thanks Rishi!

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  11. Jeanette Jobson12/22/2009 4:42 pm

    You've got beautiful light and mood in this. Its a stunner. Little never means less.

    Enjoy your break in Tokoyo.

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  12. Michelle12/22/2009 5:23 pm

    Well done, Adebanji. Has a wonderful mood to it.

    Also enjoyed seeing you featured on the lines and colors blog today.

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  13. adebanji12/22/2009 8:02 pm

    Thanks Jeannette!

    Thanks Michelle-You actually made me think you were joking about the feature on lines and colors--I only knew about the feature from your comment! Then went to check it out myself....This has not only made my day, it has made my year!

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  14. artbyakiko12/22/2009 10:31 pm

    Absolutely beautiful portrait, Adebanji! She will love it!!

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  15. Anne Marie Propst12/23/2009 2:41 am

    Very beautiful job on the DSDF challenge.

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  16. Claire Beadon Carnell12/23/2009 3:26 am

    This is a splendid little gem, Adebanji.

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  17. Vern Schwarz12/23/2009 2:54 pm

    Wonderful drawing Adebanji. You certainly captured a look and feeling with this piece. Hope you are having a great holiday.

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  18. Ann Rogers12/24/2009 12:24 am

    Small in size but large and powerful in content! Another of your WOW portraits, nice entry, Adebanji.

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  19. adebanji12/24/2009 1:11 am

    Thanks Akiko, Anne, Claire, Vern and Ann!

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  20. L.Holm12/24/2009 5:14 am

    Exquisite. Has all of the mood and sensitivity of a larger work. Lovely.

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  21. adebanji12/24/2009 7:57 am

    Thanks Liz!

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  22. James Parker12/24/2009 9:39 am

    Very nice, indeed. I still am enjoying last year's exchange.

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  23. adebanji12/24/2009 10:39 am

    Yes JP! Last year was a hit!

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  24. Dean H.12/24/2009 1:17 pm

    A fine portrait, Adebanji! You have a wonderful way with graphite.

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  25. Art By Erika12/28/2009 10:42 pm

    Adebanji it looks like an etching I love the mood and quality!

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  26. adebanji12/29/2009 5:32 am

    Thanks Erika! I think Edward Burton mentioned that too.

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  27. dominique eichi12/31/2009 5:21 pm

    Any portrait from you Adebanji packs a punch and this one is a great.
    btw.... what is the mention you did of the urban travelers sketchbook paper ??
    I went to the link but I don't quite understand .

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  28. adebanji12/31/2009 5:26 pm

    Thanks Dominique-You see the sketchbook on the link-it has the special kind of paper I used for this sketch.

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