Monday, August 9, 2010

Sketching Faces . . . My Grandma

Thanks to everyone for all the great comments on my last post! I am still trying to figure out what is next for her! I may like her just the way she is! I will keep you posted on that one!

Before I tried to paint a face I did some face sketches. This one is a recent sketch I did from my grandma's wedding photo. I used graphite pencil which helped with the shading. It is one of my first attempts at a realistic face sketch so it is rough although you are all so kind that I feel as if I can share freely here! I am proud that I tried it and I feel like I captured the light in her eyes and her sweet smile that I will never forget.

Here is the original photo I sketched from . . .

This next photo is the last one taken of her and I. It was Christmas day back in 1999, two years before she passed away in 2001 while I was in the middle of my chemo treatments. It was very tough to loose her. But I keep my fond memories of her very close to my heart.

12 comments:

  1. What a heartfelt and touching post...such a beautiful photo of you both..hugs! your sketch is BEAUTIFUL..what a wonderful tribute to someone so loved! Wonderful work...yay...keep creating..keep shining!
    Awesome!!

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  2. Thanks Kiki for your sweet comment! :)

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  3. Hi Cathy! I am so impressed with this sketch of your Grandma. It is a wonderful likeness to the original photograph. Really beautiful work!
    I am so glad you found your way to my blog too. Thanks so much for your nice comments!
    Hugs, Diane

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  4. Cathy you have done a wonderful job of sketching your beloved Grandma. I cherish my memories of my Grandma just as I know you do yours. Many days it is those memories that help me along. Happy sketching...

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  5. I think that if your grandma saw your sketch she would be very proud that you used her as a subject...and that you did it so lovingly with her, and the light in her eye, in mind! :-)

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  6. Lovely post Cathy...She has such an adorable face...really very beautiful.
    Keep up the good work, you just need to paint and draw everyday.
    I find it much easier to draw faces which have high contrast to them...so if you should ever set up an object or person for a portrait...try placing them with oneside to a bright light and the other darkness...
    Hope this helps.
    HUGS
    Char.x

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  7. Hi Cathy. What a great post and such a beautiful picture of you and your Grandmother. She would be so happy. It's a great drawing and I can hardly wait to see the completed version. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Cathy, you did a fab job! Yes, you caught the light in her eyes and her sweet, sweet smile!
    LOVE it that you put her out here too!! So so brave of you:-)

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  9. Cathy, Thanks for the visit and your sweet commments....This drawing is amazing...You did a great job....I look forward to seeing more of you and your work.....

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  10. Oh, that is such a touching post! Your grandma looks wonderful and there is such love between the two of you! That sketch is GREAT!!! I'm sure she is watching over you... Love, Silke

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  11. I adore the drawing you made of your grandma. I love art that is so basic, no bells and whistles, yet says so so much. You and she look so much alike. Very cool.

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  12. Tell me, your grandma remained youthful. I am not asking, rather seeing it - her smile and warmth - and we obviously never met.

    The most important thing, the loving relationship you shared.

    There is resemblance, you and your grandma, that is.

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