Harry

This is a portrait of my grandson, Harry. It is an A3 charcoal sketch, from a reference photograph taken at his playgroup.

There is a likeness, but it is Harry in a year or two rather than now! The right eye is too high and there are a number of other problems. Nevertheless, it is a successful trial of a method that is new to me. The paper was first covered with charcoal dust, which was then rubbed with a cloth to give an even mid-tone. Then the darks areas were blocked in with charcoal. The highlights were then "lifted out" with a putty rubber. Finally the details were worked on with finer charcoal strokes.

The effect is very pleasing, and I intend to try this again at the lifedrawing class on Thursday morning.