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

28 comments:

Stephanie Berry said...

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

adebanji said...

Thanks Stephanie!

Dana Cooper said...

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

Edward Burton said...

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

Janet Pantry said...

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

Maria Kovalenko Leysens said...

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

adebanji said...

Thanks Dana, Edward, Janet and Maria!

adebanji said...

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

Unknown said...

Wow , what expression with the medium .

adebanji said...

Thanks Rishi!

Jeanette Jobson said...

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

Enjoy your break in Tokoyo.

Michelle said...

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

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

adebanji said...

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!

artbyakiko said...

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

Anne Marie Propst said...

Very beautiful job on the DSDF challenge.

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

This is a splendid little gem, Adebanji.

Vern Schwarz said...

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

Ann Rogers said...

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

adebanji said...

Thanks Akiko, Anne, Claire, Vern and Ann!

L.Holm said...

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

adebanji said...

Thanks Liz!

James Parker said...

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

adebanji said...

Yes JP! Last year was a hit!

Dean H. said...

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

Art By Erika said...

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

adebanji said...

Thanks Erika! I think Edward Burton mentioned that too.

dominique eichi said...

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 .

adebanji said...

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