Good to be back drawing again – here is the first of 2015 Thursdays drawings.
Colette (9×6) was drawn on Strathmoore paper using charcoal (soft brick, vine and pencil) and shaped with a stump and kneaded eraser. The drawing was based on a colored photo and was a perfect reference to use for this charcoal sketch.
I really liked how the brick handled the fabric of her clothes, once the charcoal was laid down I did very little to influence the look. The flower attachment to her hat came about by keeping the area clear of charcoal and then using my fingers and the kneaded eraser to shape.
Thanks for checking in ~
Reference photograph used was from Eugene Button of pmp.
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Oil Pastels by Mary 
Mary, I am really loving these charcoal drawings!!! HUGS
How gorgeous! 🙂
Thank you Eva!
I especially enjoy the cropping of this piece. VEry well done, Mary!
Thanks Elena!! The model was totally captivating to draw, just a classic look.
Your portraits are wonderful Mary.
Thank you Gallivanta!
Soft, simple and elegant! She is beautiful, love her eyes and her facial expression, she is lost in her thoughts. Love the texture of the fabric, I would say velvet has that tendency of reflecting back soft light, really nicely executed! The flower adds some Parisian chic to the outfit and reminds me of the old days when ladies used to always wear lovely hats while outside. An impressive work to start the year Mary, I really enjoy having you back!
Thank you Eva such a beautiful description – you knew exactly what I was after. As I worked on her, I was reminded of an era gone by, of an elegant sense of style. This young lady plays the role perfectly. I really appreciate your supportive and always engaging comments ~ hope you have a lovely weekend.
I love this drawing, Mary! ❤
Thanks Natalie – Happy New Year!
Simply superb Mary! She looks so real. Portraiture is your strong suit for sure. I love how you handled the range of tones. Beautiful work to start out the year! Wow!
Thank you for your thoughts and kind words. I’ve got quite a distance to go in bringing characters alive through my drawings, Colette was one who spoke to me throughout the drawing process. I’m glad you enjoyed the piece.
Ah, lovely charcoal drawing, Mary and a great beginning for the new year! 🙂
Hi Marina, thank you so much – she was a great subject to start the year with. Have a wonderful day.
Wow this is really wonderful, very atmospheric and moving, best wishes and blessings, Charles.
Hello Charles, thank you so much for your lovely thoughts on the piece –
Pleasure, 🙂
Excellent creation of a foxy lady! Oh la la!!!!
Thank you Frank – you think so, huh? She does have that certain appeal ~
Excellent start for your 2015 Mary!!
Thank you Susan – great to see you and Happy New Year. Can’t wait to see what beautiful art you create this year.
Colette Strathmoore, ambassador-at-large for the nascent year? It has always seemed to me that charcoal eyes are supremely proficient at seeing into the future and have little chance of getting things catastrophically wrong, such as what one might reasonably expect from a green-eyed ingénue (perish the thought) or a bug-eyed accountant sinking hopelessly into a sea of irrational numbers. At any rate, an inexpugnably lovely depiction of a clairvoyant.
Hi Prospero, Colette could have one of those fabulous years entertaining us – one never knows. Thank you and I have to agree about the eyes – haunting to me, although I’m hoping in time to learn the fine art of sketching with charcoal enough so that the eyes will speak in an elegant way with my characters. I really enjoyed your description – hello to Ariel!
It’s a wonderful one, Mary! Great way to start the year 🙂
Thank you Christy – glad you enjoyed her
I love everything about her – beautifully made, Mary. A Lady with style.
Thank you so much Ann-Christine ~
I am drawn (sorry for the pun) to your treatment of the fabric of her clothes..so sure and expressive and appealing to the sense of touch! Of course the rest of the portrait is also really fine…she is a woman of long, long thoughts…and you’ve captured that beautifully.
Thank you so much Cynthia, wonderful description. I’m glad you noticed the fabric, such an interesting thing that when I brushed the thicker piece of soft vine across where the fabric was to be this lacy pattern appeared. Well it spoke to me instantly, falling in love with it very little was changed. Looks a little soft and velvety don’t you think. I still continue on my journey to work on facial features, it’s a fun and messy exercise. Love learning this medium – have a lovely evening.
So elegant is this young woman .. a kiss to a Parisian past …
Captivating charcoal drawing Mary !
Beautiful Poppy, I really enjoyed your response to her. Thank you. I’m off to see if I can save a drawing or start over another day. Two snow paintings to get too yet as well – busy in the studio.
Colette, as in short story writer? You can do no better as a subject.
Great comment Catherine, thanks so much! Happy New Year to you
Beautiful drawing, Mary! Beautiful expression of her.
Thank you Amy – Happy New Year to you!
Very expressive! We can practically hear her thinking 🙂
Beautiful, thank you!
Mary, this is so impressive! I was going to say the eyes were the best but then noticed the lips and on and on. Just a wonderful drawing all the way around!
Thank you A! Glad you enjoyed her ~
Amazing!
Thanks so much Dorann – I’m looking forward to checking out your blog posts to see what fun you’ve been having. Happy New Years!
Worthwhile as always, Mary. Genuine talent here.
You are quick John! Thank you so much, nice to see you again – Happy New Years. I’m headed over to your blog to see your latest writings.