Saturday, November 7, 2009

Graphite on Dura-lar Matte Film WIP



So sorry I've been absent here.  I am trying to make a deadline tomorrow.  I'm working on a graphite on Dura-lar Matte Film, small work for a local competition.  I started photographing it each morning before I worked on it so I could post some of the steps later.  When it was about three quarters finished, I took a serious look at it and realized it was too dark!  OH NO!!!  I tried to lift some of the dark, which usually works, but there were other problems as well.  Anyway, I ended up starting over!  I'll say and show more later.  As to now, I need to get busy!  I sure hope I can have it ready in time, but if not, there will be other places to show it.

6 comments:

Mona Diane Conner said...

good luck Barbara!

Unknown said...

This is one of the big problems with the drafting film isn't it Barbara - so frustrating!!!! I just had to redo a commissioned portrait of a baby for the same reason. The client asked me to soften it a bit, but that is almost impossible on the film, without getting a blotchy result. Still a great surface to work on though!!!!

Unknown said...

Hope it all works out for you---good luck :)

Autumn Leaves said...

I can't wait to see, Barb!!

Debra Keirce said...

I wonder - is there a way to paint a light acrylic wash BEHIND the drafting film to soften it? I've noticed that whatever background you work on with the film - if you switch the color you get a different effect. You could try holding up different color paper to the back side of the piece. Maybe it would soften and you'd just have to add highlights to complete it?

Barbara A. Freeman said...

Thanks everybody for your comments.

Yes, it is so true, Karen. Oh, that must have been frustrating to have to redo a commission. I can see where you would have problems with skin tones. Your work is amazing and you get the skin tones so even. That has got to be hard!

Deb, I tried all sorts of things to correct it. But sometimes it's just best to start over! I may still be able to use the crow in the first one and bring it around to being a compete new miniature work by adding some things and changing some things. It has some possibilities.