Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Sparkle 2 - A Sketchbook Tuesday study

Sparkle 2
graphite sketch on unidentified paper currently in my sketchbook :)

Well friends, 'tis the day after Halloween and I'm feeling a wee bit sluggish. This may have something to do with the copious amounts of sugar I indulged in yesterday, (though I'll never admit to it) and as such this post will likely be a mix of all things random and nonsensical.

This sketch is a small study I did for an upcoming painting I'm going to be working on. I loved this little girl's big, sparkly eyes, and her pouty lips. But, the lighting on her face was very soft and diffused, which makes for beautiful soft cheeks, but also makes it more difficult to model form.

I usually don't do such detailed sketches like this before every painting. I typically have a very short attention span and don't do well with a lot of preliminary work, I lose interest and don't want to carry on with the painting. But the lighting was tricky here and I wanted to see if I could get it right in a sketch first.

I think it turned out pretty well. I just fell in love with her eyes. :) And I can't wait to paint her.

Now my friends I shall leave you with two photos of my two most favorite super heros, as well as a spooky looking phantom-type thing. (Which would be, my three boys)


The spooky looking phantom-type thing (oldest Cook boy) with the Green Lantern (middle Cook boy) hot on his heels.


Beware evil doers! Spiderman (littlest Cook boy) has joined up with the Green Lantern to bring you to justice! Huzzah!

Until Thursday! Huzzah!

photo reference used with permission by Steve Evans (babasteve on flickr)

20 comments:

  1. An incredible sketch and amazing eyes, can't wait to see the painting...and no more candy, (I am trying so hard to avoid the big basket full of candy on top of my fridge!)

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  2. Your watercolors are beautiful and all of your artwork. I enjoy the interviews and so glad to have found them.
    Blessings to you. Ross

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  3. That sketch is awesome, Crystal. Looking forward to the painting. Looks like a frightfully good time was had by the Cook family. Huzzah!

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  4. I love your sketch. Can't wait to see the watercolour :)

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  5. Lovely sketch Crystal, the painting will surely be great. Cant wait to see it finished. All the supreheroes are great. But I especially love the red eyes of the spooky phantom like thing. How was he able to see through that thing?

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  6. Those eyes definitely are full of stories :) and what soft round cheeks. The painting will be masterpiece surely.

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  7. Just came across your blog, looking forward to seeing the finished painting.

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  8. Crystal! Since I am a fan, I want to highlight your work on my blog next week. May I have permission to post one of your pieces? Any instructions for me?

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  9. Crystal, your sketch is beautiful! I really look forward to seeing it painted, though the sketch itself is a work of art! [unknown paper though it is] And believe me, I feel a LOT SAFER knowing those super-heroes are out there doing their super-hero good things!!!

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  10. Un regard profond, noir et rempli de douceur... accentué par la rondeur de ses joues et sa bouche telle une belle fraise... A croquer tout ça!

    J'ai hâte de voir sa réalisation à la peinture...

    Des enfants heureux de fêter Halloween... Aujourd'hui citron pressé au menu ? pour apaiser les sucreries...
    Gros bisous

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  11. Wonderful sketch Crystal. I'm sure the painting will be amazing. The costumed Cook boys looked like they were enjoying themselves. I still have a gallon size bag of candy that I have no idea what to do with. I don't suppose the food banks would take it.

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  12. Your little chapies look so adorable in their costumes! My sons friend has just come back from a holiday in America and he brought Charlie back a present. It's called 'Marshmallow Fluff' and it's in a huge white tub with a red lid. Never in my whole life have I tasted anything so sweet and sticky!!! Just the teeniest bit was enough for me! Of course Charlie was in his element and had as much on his face as he had in his mouth! Of course he was very keen to try out the 'Fluffernutter' he read about on the back of the tub too, which is apparently a marshmallow fluff and peanut butter sandwich! Ugh!! Really??? Isn't peanut butter and jam wierd enough? Lol!
    So, needless to say he hasn't slept a wink since eating it and I'm literally having to tip him out of bed in the mornings whilst the sugar rush wears off! We've never heard of it in the UK. Have you heard of it?
    Now, that 'sketch'(though I'd call it a drawing worthy of a gallery wall) is stunning just as it is. Those beautiful dark and glassy eyes make me feel as though this child could blink at any moment! Wow - I just can't wait to see how it looks in paint. Surely it couldn't get any better :0)

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  13. I am just laughing my heart out here right now.. Those 3 cook boys look soooooooooooo adorable and cute.. I wish I could see them actually bringing justice to the cook household.. :)
    And after a long time we get to see a sketch and how.. I too have fallen in love with those eyes. And I have never seen someone capture emotions of little one's so well. There is so much of innocence and some unexplained thing on that face.. I could keep looking at it.. I salute you..

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  14. Hi Crystal, Finally I couldn't get into your blog yesterday or this morning:( Blogger can make me crazy! Love this post and the sketch. I'm with you I normally get bored if I do a drawing then a painting. But this is fabulous!!! Love your boys costumes, I'm sure they made a haul.

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  15. Crystal--This is a WONDERFUL sketch. Can't wait to see the painting. You managed to catch the atmosphere and her expression. So very nice!

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  16. I'm never patient enough to do the sketch first. I just want to get to the painting! But I probably should practice more ... and eat less of my kids' candy. Shhh, don't tell please! I LOVE the lips in your sketch. And of course the eyes. Awesome.

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  17. What a cracking sketch! Absolutely stunning ! xx

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  18. outstanding sketch crystal! cannot wait to see the painting. i too am not really good at preliminary stuff. the sooner i start on the painting the better. talk about short attention span theater. the boys look great! hope they had a good time.

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  19. Excellent sketch Crystal. Beautiful cross-hatching on the hat, love the depth on the hair. And those lips are the best! How cute are they!
    And I liked the trick-or-treating pictures : ) Those are some serious glowing eyes! LOL

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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