LESSON 4: A Complete Portrait In Colored Pencil On White .

2020 ONLINEWORKSHOP SERIESHOW TO DRAW PORTRAITSwith Justin MaasLESSON 4: A complete portrait in coloredpencil on white bristol.In video 4 we will draw an entire portrait from start to finish in colored pencils on white bristol.SUPPLIES: Strathmore 500 SeriesBristol Vellum Lyra Polycolor Pencils Pencil Sharpener Drawing Board / Easel Tortillion / blending stumpI am exclusively using Lyra Polycolor pencils.I use the following colors: white, raw umber,true blue, ochre, pink madder lake, black, darksepia, burnt ochre, Indian red, gold ochre,Pompeian red and Van Dyck brown.

Pick a mid-neutralpencil (like an ochre) sothat you can lay downyour colors lightly. Thistype of colored pencilrequires layering butyou can fill the tooth ofthe paper if you worktoo hard or add toomany layers too quickly.Go slowly, go softlyand build up yourdrawing.I begin the block in butnot with a traditionalgraphite pencil. Sincethis is a colored pencildrawing, we will do theblock in using a coloredpencil. If you usegraphite you will spenda lot of time trying tocover it up and mayend up damaging thepaper trying to eraseit all.Once the basic block-inis done, I will add a bitof a darker color insome areas to refineand lock in my lines.Next comes the baselayer. This starts as avery light color- ochre - in key areas(eyes, skin, hair) to helpme develop values.2020 ONLINEWORKSHOP SERIES22020 ONLINEWORKSHOP SERIES

As the drawing progresses, resist the temptationto finalize any areas. Those big, beautifuleyelashes are just screaming to be renderedbut I only ‘indicate’ them at this point becausethe skin behind that area is not yet finished.Remember: you can't add under-drawingbelow “finishing touches!”To keep the oils of your hand off the paper(and to prevent smudging) use a piece of paperor acetate or similar to rest your hand onwhile working.Subtle changes in color - like the lips - should bedone gradually with several light layers. If youjump in with a dark red you most likely willcreate lips that are way too harsh.Now I begin adding in some shadow. A warm,burnt ochre and various browns help to createthis ‘glow’ on the skin.2020 ONLINEWORKSHOP SERIES32020 ONLINEWORKSHOP SERIES

More dark areas are built up. Its a constantcomparison between values, colors and tone.I begin adding more darks and define the lips.Its crucial with this type of pencil to not applypressure too heavily too early. If you do, you willform a layer that is unworkable. Adding a fewlayers of workable fixative may help but ideallyyou want to avoid trying to fill up the toothof the paper too quickly.I refine the hair more, adding darks and strayhairs as it gets closer to completion.2020 ONLINEWORKSHOP SERIES42020 ONLINEWORKSHOP SERIES

Areas that need to be blended can be done bylayer, but also with a clean tortillion or a colorlessblender like the terrific Lyra Splender.I make a decision to leave the background inwhite but to add a little blue to the clothing(which is cream in the reference photo). Don’t beafraid to change up colors to suit the aestheticof your drawing.I make focal points more impactful with darksand hard edges.It’s finally time to add in those key details like herhuge eyelashes and the absolute darkest darks.Because these are oil-based pencils, if youwanted to add in some very bright whitehighlights, you could add a touch of white oilpastel, but do so sparingly!2020 ONLINEWORKSHOP SERIES52020 ONLINEWORKSHOP SERIES

The finished piece:Chelsea11" x 14"Oil-based colored pencil onStrathmore 500 series White Bristol2020 ONLINEWORKSHOP SERIES52020 ONLINEWORKSHOP SERIES

type of colored pencil requires layering but you can fill the tooth of the paper if you work too hard or add too many layers too quickly. Go slowly, go softly and build up your drawing. I begin the block in but not with a traditional graphite pencil. Since this is a colored pencil drawing, we will do the block in using a colored pencil. If you use