Old Lock in Charcoal

DanielH wrote

on 5 Dec 2009 9:22 PM

Hi friends,

Just finished up a little charcoal drawing today. This one is 5" x 7" on gray Canson Mi Tientes drawing paper. The size is a bit small for my tastes (it's for an art league gift exchange), but I was relatively pleased with the drawing overall.

Robin11 wrote

on 7 Dec 2009 5:25 AM

Oh, you should be pleased!  It's gorgeous!!

Kisu wrote

on 7 Dec 2009 7:56 AM

Very nice!  I especially like the highlights on the lock, it really conveys the soft patination of old metal.  That size qualifies you as a miniaturist, I'd think! 

DanielH wrote

on 7 Dec 2009 9:54 PM

Thanks Robin & Kisu! A miniaturist? Ha - I don't think I'll ever go any smaller than this with charcoal. The lettering on the lock was enough to make me curse! :)

vince wrote

on 19 Dec 2009 6:05 PM

This is really good. Did you do any blending? It looks like you may have used white charcoal as well for the highlights. I'm just really starting with charcoal and any information would be helpful.

DanielH wrote

on 19 Dec 2009 6:35 PM

Hi Vince - thanks for the compliment! Yes, I did use white charcoal and the only blending I did was where I laid down the white charcoal over the dark. Looking back, I think I should have done some more blending on the lock to give it a texture contrast against the wooden door. If you want more info on this and some other charcoal experiments, I did a write-up about it on my blog - The Home-Based Atelier. The link is in my signature. Thanks again!

- Dan

juliek41 wrote

on 19 Dec 2009 7:27 PM

I think im like a blendaholic so i commend you on your restraint from blending!

I just read some of your Blog…I just bought some charcoal pencils and the sharpening problem you mentioned was an informative warning!

DanielH wrote

on 19 Dec 2009 9:01 PM

Haha... Oh my gosh - don't even get me started on that again... :)  I've been working on another charcoal drawing and I completely bypassed using them.

Thanks for your comment Julie (and welcome, by the way) - I look forward to seeing some of your work!

- Dan

chaser64 wrote

on 2 Jan 2010 8:33 AM

Daniel,

FYI, General's also makes a paper wrapped black charcoal pencil in various textures (#5630 ABP).     Chas

Gregory Becker wrote

on 30 Jan 2010 5:15 AM

That looks terrific. Very well rendered.

Alejandro wrote

on 7 Mar 2010 9:51 PM

I love the theme.