Graphite Pencil Portrait of Young Teen
This portrait is a work in progress. My reason for posting this particular image is to question first impressions…
I’d like to know your first “gut feeling”, your first emotion when viewing this portrait… I’d like to know the first words thought when viewing the image.
My interest is to know if each sees the portrait by how I, the artist felt when creating it, if it depends on the mood within you, the viewer or if it lies solely within the subject itself. What lies in the heart of one, and can it be reproduced with enough honesty for the viewer to identify that passion?
Below is an unfinished graphite pencil study of a young teen. This portrait is one of several that is inspired by photographer D. Sharon Pruitt. Her photographs can be viewed at www.pinksherbet.com.
I am generally adept at titling my studies, however this particular piece is a bit complex in emotion and I have been unable to conclude a title. I am open to suggestions…
Tags: artwork, black and white, child portrait, emotional, emotive, eyes closed, girl, graphite pencil portrait, greyscale, photographs, pink, shadow, teen, teenager, thoughts, title
I appreciate each of your comments and your ideas regarding the emotion and title of this portrait. Your input has been very helpful.
I’ve decided to title the portrait “Undone” in respect to Tracey Harris’s suggestion, “Unfinished, because the girl isn’t quite grown (or finished), and the drawing’s right bottom is left without detail. Then, I saw this entry and learned you can’t decide on a title. Well, to me, you have!”
I thought how closely her words reflected the feeling when I was creating this portrait and how I never quite came to the point of fully “completing” it, hence the title “Undone”…
I love your intake on the portrait, Nancy. Reflective is a word I hadn’t thought of… Reflecting on a memory… I really like that… Thank you.
The first emotion I felt was sadness. Melancholy, yes that would fit. I see a young girl, being reflective. Thinking back on something gone, or missing. Lost in a memory, or actually, feeling the loss of a memory. In fact, my title would be “Reflective”
Denny, thank you for your comments.
I’ve been told my work is “sensual”, never had that “bold” look. As much as I have experimented with the darker grades of pencil, I always tend to come back to the softer way of creating.
I’ve never been a “jump out of the page” type of person, leaning more toward a delicate approach. I guess I make my point more subtly. Kind of like someone wearing bold color clothing. It looks great on them, but never did much on me.
I gratefully appreciate your taking part in viewing my work. Would you mind responding on the emotional aspect of the portrait also? Did a certain emotion or feeling remind you of a specific time in your life… Was it a melancholy feeling? Was it a thoughtful approach?
Hi Daune.
The first thing that I think of is “contrast.” All of your graphites are done so tight and your technique is flawless but I feel your work would have so much more punch if you went darker in the areas like the shadows. This is one thing that I see time after time with top notch pencil artists.
Mind you, this is my opinion and mine alone.
Great start and all the luck in the world to you!
Humbly yours,
Denny
Mike, what you are seeing in this piece is exactly what I wanted to convey. I’m so excited I was able to have that emotion come across in this way.
The photographer, D. Sharon Pruitt is just amazing… When I began the portrait, the only word that kept ringing in my ears was “melancholy”. Even with wonderful memories, I sometimes look back on certain aspects of my life and feel a sort of melancholy rush.
Your words ring true as to how childhood seems rushed and forgotten… Thank you…
I just can’t stop looking at this piece…it is full of intrigue and emotion.
A suggestion for a title came to me as I studied her face. I see a young girl thinking about the passing from childhood into adolescence. Maybe “Only yesterday” would be a good title? Seems fitting since childhood seems so rushed and almost forgotten these days.
Just my thoughts…
Tracey, I appreciate your comment. Thank you…
I absolutely love your play on words… I hadn’t looked at it quite that way.
Do you feel then that the portrait is complete?
Your work is beautiful! The only problem I see is that it’s priced too low!
When I first saw your drawing of the teenage girl, I thought it was clever to call it “Unfinished” because the girl isn’t quite grown (or finished), and the drawing’s right bottom is left without detail. Then, I saw this entry and learned you can’t decide on a title. Well, to me, you have!
Thank you for your comment Darla.
Actually the small area you are seeing isn’t a necklace. The girl in the photograph is wearing a hooded sweatshirt and that is the metal piece where the lace hangs from. My first thought was to leave it out of the portrait also, but my guess would be it might project a dull negative space of dark area. This portrait is still incomplete so l have yet to include the lace that follows through that metal piece.
It’s gorgeous like all your artwork! The only suggestion I’d make is to get rid of the necklace, it’s distracting from her face.