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markstewart — Elf
Published: 2014-03-01 14:33:19 +0000 UTC; Views: 15128; Favourites: 681; Downloads: 0
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Description
Graphite pencils on smooth Bristol : 460x300mm.Reference: flexdreams.deviantart.com/art/… by . A big thank you for allowing me to use the reference to draw this.
The reference has some wonderful tones which interested me and the hair practice was worthwhile .. always something to learn there. All in all a very enjoyable exercise.
Updated Feb 2015 with a larger file.
Winner of a weekly deviation award at here: i-s-weeklydeviations.deviantar…
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Comments: 225
Breath taking , crazy how much that hair looks real , hard work totally payed off
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Thanks, yes it was hard work but the effect worked really well on this one. I learned a lot doing the hair here.
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Thank you very much.
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I looked at your gallery and found one traditional drawing there. Nice confident lines and a solid foundation to build upon but you need to be drawing a lot more and your style will develop naturally as you improve. I'm trying to find a style that's uniquely mine (stylised) ... realistic but not photo realistic. There is a natural style in you too and it should constantly evolve or else it might get boring, it just needs to be found. Use the web to find as many tutorials and tips too, there are many on DA too and i share a little of what i've learned in my gallery also as do many others. It a personal journey and it takes time and effort as with everything else in life. It should always be an enjoyable experience though 
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thanks for your advice, i will be better, thanks a lot
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You're welcome and good luck
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how on earth do you do this?? you somehow manage to amaze me more and more with each of your works, when I always think it's impossible to be more awesome. its frightening, but keep on!!
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Thank you very much, i appreciate it. This was great hair practice and such a beautiful reference photo to work from i loved every minute doing this one
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Amazing picture! I fall in love with your work! May I ask how did you make those very thin white lines in her hair? (I didn't read all the comments, sorry if somebody else asked before).
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Thank you, i use pencil erasers to pick out hairs .. one normal wooden pencil eraser and the other a thin retractible pencil eraser.
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And I guess patience and patience..
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Yes .. but done with enjoyment and enthusiasm, if you have that patience doesn't even come into it. Saying that though if one of my drawings gets to the 40 to 50hr mark i get to the stage where i wan't to start a new project so it can get left on the shelf for a couple of days. I've learned that for me having a couple of drawings on the go helps as i can have a break from one for a little while.
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This is exactly the advice what I needed. Thank you!
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This is amazing beyond belief! everything is so perfectly observed! Wow!!!
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Thank you, i appreciate it
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I recommend anyone searching for an example of how to draw hair just stop right there! It doesn't get any better than this.
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Thanks very much, i'm really pleased how it turned out
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How you managed to draw that hair without going mental is beyond me, but amazing work!
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Thanks, some of my best hair i think .. i'll have to try it again to see if it was just a lucky fluke or i've actually learned something .. christ i hope it wasn't just a one off
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Another masterful portrait. The hair is amazing, so realist. I love the way you use light and shadow. The details are just phenomenal. Truly awe inspiring work.
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Thank you, i'm glad you like it. The light and shadows are all down to a great reference shot, i just wanted to try to understand how to recreate that subtle shadow tonal work in my version.
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Beautiful smooth work, how do you get the background so smooth?
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Cheers bud, it takes ages to get it smooth but i've been practicing this for a while now .. 5B (2coats) then 6B then 7B all with a light touch and unblended hatching in all directions and then a final coat of 6B again. I take my time doing in in stages over a three odd days because it's insanely boring to do .. it's about 12 hrs work just on the background, i'll stop layering just when i get the right tone i'm looking for.
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Yes me too, i just loved this image when i saw it and it suits my style perfectly, Flex was a total diamond and even e mailed me hi res images to use, i returned the favour .. i wish i had a photographers eye.
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you have all the eye you need honey, a great artist like you
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Oh thanks 
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i have been wearing glasses since age 17 so for me they feel like a part of my body, i do not notice them anymore
you are amazing
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