Rose No. 13 Completed and A Year-End Recap of the ACEO Flower Drawings...

Rose XIII

 Graphite on Canson Grain paper

2.5 x 3.5"

US$15 - free shipping worldwide via Registered Airmail

To purchase this drawing, please email me at
artistdavidte@gmail.com

I think I'll call it finish at this stage. I'll call this Rose No. 13, since I just learned that the previous one which is untitled is also a rose (Rose No. 12). I really like how this one turned out. This, along with the three previous drawings might well be another series, kind of a series within a series. Since I like how they have turned out, I may do a few more in this style next year. Meanwhile, I'm spending the rest of December working on a larger piece and planning a couple more bigger drawings - so I don't start the year off dry. This drawing is like a final examination, putting to the test all I have learned during the school year.

The "100 ACEO Flower Drawings" series was started in 2009 while searching for a niche that can easily make my drawings distinguishable from other works. I had been looking at other artists' works to give me ideas to incorporate into my art. Ideas I could combine into something unique and call it my own. I've learned a lot from these little drawings which would be handy to use in the larger drawings next year :D

Below are photos featuring all of the available ACEO Flower Drawings.

 

Here's a little something to wrap up the year 2010!

Best wishes to all for the Holiday seasons and a safe and blessed new year ahead!

ACEO Flower No. 18: Stage 7 and a Few of My Tools

Here the drawing is almost complete, just a little more at the bottom. Again, the background is done as a bokeh - seems like I'm getting addicted to it. I found that using a nylon brush with its bristles sort of dulled down from extensive use, like the second one in the picture below, produces rich darks making it perfect for creating bokeh.

From the top: a small, flat brush; dull #2 nylon brush; #4 Reeves brush; #2 Reeves brush; #000 Berkeley round brush and a #13 (I think - the number has faded out) Reeves mop brush

A couple of posts ago, I said I'll snap some pictures of my tools and share them with you here. Okay, here it goes: the one on the top is frequently used for general applications of graphite or charcoal, making it my main brush. The third, fourth and sixth are pony hair brushes which I use to lay initial layers of tones. The smallest one, I use to render small areas.

 

From the top: 8B Goldfaber Faber-Castell pencil; 8B Mars Lumograph Staedtler pencil ; 0.5 mm mechanical pencil loaded with 2B Faber- Castell lead; 0.5 mm mechanical pencil loaded with 2B Dong-A lead; Medium Faber-Castell charcoal pencil; empty felt-tipped color pen and two kinds of erasers, a kneaded eraser and stick eraser

I scrape the 8B Faber-Castell pencil to make the powder I use to apply to my drawings. In addition, I use powder from the Staedtler pencil to produce the darkest darks in graphite or charcoal drawings. Since it has very little glare compared to Faber-Castell's 8B, I also use it with charcoal to push the dark values even further. Two 0.5 mm 2B mechanical pencils loaded with the same grade of leads but different brands are for general detailing. Dong-A's 2B lead makes dark tones similar to a Faber-Castell 8B wooden pencil. Next is a medium charcoal pencil. I do the same with it, scraping it down to a fine powder. Most of the time I use a brush for blending, but for rendering edges or very small areas, I found blending with an empty felt-tipped pen works well. Finally, two kinds of erasers are in my drawing tools, a kneaded eraser which is quite handy to reach those edges or small areas that need highlights or erasing and a stick eraser in a dispenser which could be used to create larger and sharper streaks of highlights.

There you have it, these are basically all the tools I use for my drawings. Have a nice day!

ACEO Flower No. 18: Stage 6

Just a small update on the drawing: Worked some more on the same petals and using a kneaded eraser, create streaks of highlights on them. Some of the highlights and the lines of tones that were left between them suggest the veins on the petals. I'm about halfway done here.

ACEO Flower No. 18: Stage 5

I took a short pause on this piece to give my work table a much needed clean up. But back to the drawing, I started on the two petals applying initial layers of graphite powder. With an empty felt-tipped marker pen which I used as a blender, I trace along the outline of the petals lightly. This creates a shadowed line outside the petals that will add depth and sharpness to the flower.

Fixing the mailing list...

Hi all,

I have noticed that my blog has not been sending out email updates to my mailing list subscribers. I have been trying to correct that and, I think, I found out what went wrong. Hopefully, you will receive all future updates now. I apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for following my work!

Challenge No. 11

I'm working on a new drawing for one of my challenges. I've been working on it for quite some time now. I'll try to post it as soon as it is done. Here is the second and last challenge this month:

A stack of teacups with some dried leaves scattered below it.

I hope you'll have fun with this one and I'll see you next month for another challenge. Now, let's get back to the drawing board!

ACEO Flower No. 18 - Stage 4

Here's the fourth installment. Started working on the three outer petals and added another drop of water. Again, a small mop and flat brush and a 0.5 mm 2B (Faber-Castell) mechanical pencil were used. The clutch pencils I use are just made of plastic making them really affordable, but nonetheless strong enough to withstand rough handling, that is including accidentally being dropped countless of times. Maybe one of these days I'll take some pictures of my tools and post them here.

ACEO Flower No. 18 - Stage 3

Not much progress on this update apart from the two water droplets. Before, I would usually shy away from drawing still life arrangements and flowers with dew or drops of water. I never thought they would be quite easy and fun to do.

Challenge No. 10

It has been quite hectic than usual the past few days. Anyway, tonight I manged to squeeze some time in for another challenge. I have been at work on one of the
previous challenges.

A pair of stemwares (need not be the same kind in a pair and whether either is empty or containing some liquid) on a table with a table napkin.

Enjoy the rest of the evening and happy drawing/painting!

ACEO Flower No. 18 - Stage 2

I'm in the second stage working on the inside petals with brushes and two 0.5 mm 2B (Faber-Castell and Dong-A) mechanical pencils. As you can see, I work on one or two petals at a time not all over the flower. I use a small mop brush to apply the initial layers of graphite tones. Then with a small, flat brush and the mechanical pencils, I applied the succeeding layers, smoothening them out as best I could. Using an 8B Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencil, a few strokes are applied to the shadows on the center petals.

ACEO Flower No. 18 - Work in Progress

I thought I'd share progress scans of the 18th entry into the ACEO flower drawing series. The 13th rose in the line up. I forgot to scan it in the outline stage, but anyway here is the first stage.

Since the time I've started drawing seriously, roughly about eight years ago, my sister, artist Faith and I have gathered quite a handful of artist's pencils in a
variety of grades and brands - from 6H, the hardest to 8B, the softest. Despite all these drawing instruments, I often times use only two 0.5 mm mechanical pencils
loaded with different brands of 2B leads (one creates darker tones similar to an 8B grade pencil), graphite powder shaved from soft pencils like Faber-Castell's 8B and a variety of brushes for blending and applying tones.

A favorite tool of mine is an empty marker pen which, other than to blend, I use to apply graphite or charcoal powder on the smallest areas or edges that needs to have darker tones, like in this drawing, the inside petals.

ACEO Flower No. 17

Untitled

Graphite on Canson Grain paper

2.5 x 3.5"

US$15 - free shipping worldwide via Registered Airmail

To purchase this drawing, please email me at
artistdavidte@gmail.com

This is one of the few ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals) flower drawings I did after my dad returned home from the hospital several months ago. Actually, I drew this about two weeks ago, making it the latest piece of the series. It's untitled for now, since I don't know what kind of flower this is.

Finished it off with a bokeh like the two previous drawings. I have always enjoyed looking at the paintings of artists I admire, hoping to pick up something
from their work to incorporate in my drawings. Maybe I don't apply colors on a canvas, but I like to think that some of the effects that is achieved in paintings can be applied in drawings too.   

I'm juggling my time between working on my next ACEO flower drawing and still life piece - my version of Challenge No. 4... taking progress scans of them so I'll have something to post for the next few weeks.

That's it for now, enjoy the rest of the week!

ACEO Flower No. 16: Rose No. 11

Rose XI

Graphite on Canson Grain paper

2.5 x 3.5"

US$15 - free shipping worldwide via Registered Airmail

To purchase this drawing, please email me at
artistdavidte@gmail.com

Here's another drawing with the bokeh background. Plus some water droplets. It's like putting some of the things I've learned to the test.

ACEO Flower No. 15: Rose No. 10

Rose X

Graphite on Canson Grain paper
2.5 x 3.5"
US$15 - free shipping worldwide via Registered Airmail
To purchase this drawing, please email me at
artistdavidte@gmail.com

Here, I experimented with a different background. I have always liked the effect and mood that a bokeh gives to a painting, so I thought I'd try it in my drawings.

Challenge No. 9

Here's another leafy challenge. I hope you'll enjoy this one.

A leaf (any kind) close-up with water droplets.

ACEO Flower No. 14: Rose No. 9

Rose IX

Graphite on Canson Grain paper

3.5 x 2.5"

US$15 - free shipping worldwide via Registered Airmail
To purchase this drawing, please email me at
artistdavidte@gmail.com

ACEO Flower No. 13: Rose No. 8

Rose VIII

Graphite on Canson Grain paper

3.5 x 2.5"

SOLD

Challenge No. 8

Maybe you'll recognize this one as similar to one of the previous challenges. The subjects are practically the same, but with a few changes. Perhaps, it could make a pretty good series.

A cup of beverage arranged on a wooden surface with an old book and a pair of eyeglasses.

Enjoy the rest of the day and happy drawing/painting!

ACEO Flower No. 12: Rose No. 7

Rose VII

Graphite on Canson Grain paper

2.5 x 3.5"

US$15 - free shipping worldwide via Registered Airmail

Buy

(Clicking the link will bring you to its own page on my Etsy shop)

 

This one is also listed on my Etsy shop.

ACEO Flower No. 11: Rose No. 6

Rose VI

Graphite on Canson Grain paper

2.5 x 3.5"

US$15 - free shipping worldwide via Registered Airmail
To purchase this drawing, please email me at
artistdavidte@gmail.com

I was supposed to post this yesterday, but I got around to using the computer late so I'll catch up today. I don't know much about flowers, but I think (if I'm not mistaken) this is the kind of rose I commonly see in flower arrangements.

ACEO Flower No. 10: Daisy No. 2

Daisy #2

Graphite on Canson Grain paper

2.5 x 3.5"
US$15 - free shipping worldwide via Registered Airmail

To purchase this drawing, please email me at
artistdavidte@gmail.com

Another drawing of a daisy shown at its side.

Challenge No. 7

Something simple this time.

A cup and a teaspoon viewed at eye level.

ACEO Flower No. 9: Orchid 2

Orchid 2: Dendrobium Anosmum

Graphite on Canson Grain paper

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

My mom used to have lots of this orchid, but recently, due to my father having a stroke, they became too dry to bloom as we rarely have time to water them.

ACEO Flower No. 8: Rose No. 5

Rose V

Graphite on Canson Grain paper 

3.5 x 2.5"

SOLD

Back to posting roses.

ACEO Flower No. 7: Daisy

Daisy

Graphite on Canson Grain paper

3.5 x 2.5"

 US$15 - free shipping worldwide via Registered Airmail
To purchase this drawing, please email me at
artistdavidte@gmail.com

  

Here's another lovely kind of flower -- the daisy. I really enjoyed drawing the center part!

Challenge No. 6

Almost didn't make it to post the first challenge of this month. Ready, here it is:

A cup of tea or coffee on a saucer and a pair of eyeglasses

set on a couple of sheets of paper (either blank or not)

Enjoy the rest of the day and happy drawing!

ACEO Flower No. 6 - Rose IV

"Rose IV"

Graphite on Canson Grain paper 

3.5 x 2.5"

SOLD

Here's something different from the usual cropped composition.

ACEO Flower No. 5: Rose III

 

"Rose III"

Graphite on Canson Grain paper

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

Another piece I sold earlier this year.

ACEO Flower No. 4: Orchid

"Orchid"

Graphite on Canson Grain paper 

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

Another ACEO flower drawing, this time of an orchid.

Challenge No. 5

A porcelain cup and saucer (you may add coffee or tea),
a pair of eyeglasses and a book arranged on a wooden table
suggesting a cozy reading environment.

I hope you'll enjoy working on this one. I think I'll have a grand time with this challenge. Anyway, happy drawing or painting!

ACEO Flower No. 3: Rose II

 

"Rose II"

Graphite on Canson Grain paper 

2.5 x 3.5" 

SOLD

Another ACEO rose drawing. I hope you don't mind seeing lots of them since I think most of the series will be roses. Looks like they really are the most popular kind of flower.

ACEO Flower No. 2: Gardenia

 

 "Gardenia" 

Graphite on Canson Grain paper 

2.5 x 3.5"

US$15 - free shipping worldwide via Registered Airmail

 Buy

(Clicking the link will bring you to its own page on my Etsy shop)

Gardenias are really so beautiful, I just had to capture it on paper.

Challenge No. 4

Here's another challenge, even though I haven't started on the previous one yet. I hope you'll stay tuned for that

A mug (if you wish, you could fill it up with any beverage) and a paper bag

set on any surface suggesting the outdoors.

 

Old Tradition Finished and Challenge No. 2 Entry

 

 "Old Tradition"

Charcoal on Canson Grain paper

6 x 8"

US$50 (plus US$10 shipping via Registered Airmail)

Buy

(Clicking the link will bring you to its own page on my Etsy shop)

I took a short hiatus last week when my grandfather passed away and also I was not feeling well. Anyway, I'll pick up where I left off on the work in progress. At this stage, I think I'll call it finish, and that's it - my version of Challenge No. 2.

Old Tradition - Stage 6

I'm now near the home stretch - just have to finish the wood surface and a few finishing touches here and there and -- I'm done. I really enjoyed rendering the puddle and the reflection of the base of the teacup on it. I love how the drawing turned out!

ACEO Flower No. 1: Rose I

 

Flower No. 1 - Rose I

Graphite on Canson Grain paper

ACEO (3.5 x 2.5")

SOLD

Last year, I started a series of 100 ACEO flower drawings, but so far I have only finished 13 - still a long way to go. Finishing one is not as easy as I thought, but I'm really grateful because from them, I got my first few sales earlier this year through Etsy. I thought I'd also post them and the other 87 drawings as soon as I finish each one, here on the blog.

Old Tradition - Stage 5

Started to work on the wooden surface. I had so much fun doing the wood grains and adding that tiny water drop on the teacup. I think I'll probably add a couple more droplets to the side to give a little more character to the cup.

Challenge No. 3

It's been a couple of Sundays since the last challenge, but I still haven't finished my version of it. Knowing my speed - I finish a piece in about 2 weeks... if I'm lucky, I think I'll make it somewhat easier on myself by putting up a challenge only twice a month. Even after this time, there is no guarantee that I'll finish one, since I divide my time to work on some ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals) flower drawings and also my nursing duties.

In the meantime, let's get busy with this:

 A close up of a leaf or a bunch of leaves (any kind) on a branch with some random water droplets running down on them.

Old Tradition - Stage 4

I wonder what acid-free paper other pencil/charcoal artists use - I always use the smoother side of a Canson  C' a Grain paper. At times, it can be frustrating to work on as it can become somewhat rough after reworking an area with a kneaded eraser a couple of times (I usually do this when I'm not satisfied with how it looks) but it's the only acid-free charcoal paper I can afford at the moment.

Old Tradition - Stage 3

Here, I started rendering the pouring tea and spout (part of a genuine looking Chinese teapot). The teacup is actually from a tea set including four or five other cups, the teapot and a tray. I'm not quite fond of drinking tea, but the utensils used to serve it really make interesting subjects.

Old Tradition - Stage 2

 Charcoal on Canson Grain paper

6 x 8

Before I forget, like in the previous post, this is my little interpretation of "Challenge No. 2". The background is a concrete wall - at least, that is how I hope it will look like. I think, cracked, unpainted concrete seem to have more character and drama than perfect, white ones. And adding some random scratches and patches of dark areas to it further contribute to the oldness of its appearance.

The drawing's title sounds fitting for the the subjects - crackly concrete wall and tea being served in a small teacup...hmmm...

Old Tradition - Stage 1

 Charcoal on Canson Grain paper

6 x 8"

This is a work in progress of the piece I'm currently working on. While still in the outline stage, I adjusted the marks of the pouring liquid since mom said that a thinner stream of liquid (actually, it's tea) looks much better than a thicker one ... hope you can see the ghost pencil strokes of the previous outline.  

Sunlit Rose 2

 

"Sunlit Rose 2"

Charcoal on Canson Grain paper

7 x 5"

US$50 (plus US$10 shipping via Registered Airmail)

Buy

(Clicking the link will bring you to its own page on my Etsy shop)

I was in the hospital last March during dad's confinement due to his stroke. While there, I managed to start this drawing, completing about half of it before he was discharged. I only sat down to finish it at home this May after adjusting myself to my new duties.

I like to experiment with ways to render the background more artistically other than the usual solid black and simple white backgrounds. I grew tired of the monotony of rendering it the same way time and again.

Challenge No. 2

Here's another still life challenge:

Some liquid (any beverage you prefer or just water) being poured into a cup or any porcelain ware you wish to use in your drawing/painting.

I haven't tried to capture pouring liquids in a drawing before, so I think it's a good time to try something new for a change. Next week, I'll be sharing a drawing I did during the past months I was not active.

Meanwhile, keep on drawing/painting!

Challenge No. 1 - Morning Refreshments

 "Morning Refreshments"

Charcoal on Canson Grain paper

7.5 x 5.5"

US$55 (plus US$10 shipping via Registered Airmail)

Buy

(Clicking the link will bring you to its own page on my Etsy shop)

It's been so long since I posted this challenge, but it's just this past three weeks that I managed to start working on the challenge. It took me about that long to finish the drawing. Those fallen petals were not intentionally plucked from the rose to achieve the desired arrangement prior to taking the photograph. I really liked how the sunshine gave light to the subjects. I think I'm quite happy with how the drawing turned out!

Been away from my blog a long time

I haven't been able to post for a long time now. My dad had a stroke last month and I have to work full time helping my mom nurse him back to health after his discharge from the hospital this past March. Now, I'm able to do a little work here and there but I will not be able to post weekly for a while until my dad becomes a little more stable than he is now.

Meanwhile, happy drawing.

Introduction: Still Life Challenge #1

You might be familiar with painter Karin Jurick's blog, "Different Strokes from Different Folks" where she hosts painting/drawing challenges. In 2009, I had the pleasure of joining one of her challenges called "Portrait Swap Challenge" in which artists were paired off to paint/draw each other. Anyway, I thought I'd start a similar take on Ms. Jurick's challenges. Here it goes:

I would give rough, descriptive words on still life composition/arrangement, then you may either use photographs or set up your props and paint from life. This way, there will be a lot of room to use our creativity. You may use any medium (not including computers) you wish - graphite, charcoal, pen and ink, conte, pastel, oil, etc. Maybe I will post a challenge, say every other week or until the line of celebrity portraits waiting to be featured in 'spotlight' gets too short.  Here's the first one:

A cup or mug of beverage set with a rose

and a teaspoon at its base

 "Afternoon Tea"

Graphite pencil drawing by Sherry Bevins

6 x 4"

To email me your paintings/drawings, attach a clear image of your work in jpg format with your full name and send them to this address - artistdavidte@gmail.com. Also, please put 'still life challenge' on the subject bar, so I will know right away that the email is regarding the challenge. If you have a website or blog featuring your work, you may also include them in your submission. The challenge has no deadline, so feel free to send your artworks anytime.

I know the title of my blog says "Pencil Drawings of Celebrities", but over the past couple of years since I started turning out still life drawings, I've grown to love them also. I'll change it as soon as I think of a title to replace it. Anyway, if you have any suggestion regarding the challenge, don't hesitate to email me at the above address.

Meanwhile, have fun with the challenge.

Portrait of Elvis Presley

This Sunday, the celebrity spotlight is on.... Elvis Presley. You may remember that he made a cameo appearance two weeks ago, when Ann-Margret was our featured celebrity.

                       

 8 x 10 inches (20 x 25 cm)

Graphite and charcoal on Canson Grain

I like to put in as much detail as possible, especially when drawing the face whether I am using graphite or charcoal. I like to use charcoal for the skin tones because it seems to have the texture of real skin. On the other hand, I like to give the eyes more detail. I tried to draw the eyes and other features using graphite pencils while charcoal is used for the skin tones.

Above is the result of the experiment. This portrait was done last year. The downside is that the glare on the eyes really stands out when viewed at certain angles which I find quite annoying. Also, when viewed in certain lighting conditions, the portrait ended up looking ghostly. I think I'm going back to the traditional principle of working with one medium for an artwork.

                                  (Image is from Doctormacro)

 A shot of Elvis' famous rock and roll dance number in the film

                 "Jailhouse Rock"              

Elvis Presley is one of the music industry's legendary performers. He also crossed over to the movie industry with as much success. His movies are mostly musically oriented, although his first film, "Love Me Tender" has a more serious note than many of his later and more popular ones. The well known song of the same title was only used as its theme, not sung the usual way in front of an audience like in "Blue Hawaii" and "Viva Las Vegas". The largest portion of Elvis' films is quite light in terms of plot. They primarily serve to present our featured celebrity's rock and roll prowess. Nevertheless, they are really well worth watching.   

Portrait of Hedy Lamarr

This week, we give the spotlight to.... Hedy Lamarr. I know, she is not as popular as the others featured here, but I've watched a few of her films and I think she was a great actress.

                                     8 x 10 inches (20 x 25 cm)

                                Graphite pencil on Canson Grain

I had a hard time drawing the hair, resulting in several erasures. Hmm... in the end, I'm still not pleased with the outcome of the hair. But I'm quite satisfied with the face. I really need more practice on the hair - like they said 'practice makes perfect'.

                                      (Image is from Doctormacro)              
       Hedy Lamarr in "Tortilla Flat" with Spencer Tracy (Not shown in photo)

Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian actress before making it to Hollywood. She starred in films opposite big stars like James Stewart and Spencer Tracy among others. I think that's about it, as I said I've only watched a few of her films so I only know a little about her movie appearances.

Portrait of Ingrid Bergman and Work in Progress

The bright light of our spotlight shines on this week's featured celebrity.... Ingrid Bergman.

                                     8 x 10 inches (20 x 25 cm)

                            Graphite pencil on Arches Hot Pressed
                                           Watercolor paper

Faith said that this paper seems to do wonders to her drawings. I just had to try it and see for myself. Well, I did give it a try and I can say I'm pretty pleased with the result. Yep, it really does make wonders to drawings, but I wouldn't have believed it until I've seen it with my own eyes. The paper has two surfaces with different textures - one side seems to have some pattern while the other is quite smooth with just the right amount of tooth - which is perfect for drawing.

I tried a different approach as suggested by my artist-sister -- don't finish the bust and just shape into a "v". Also, in some of my portraits, I partly use regular bathroom paper to blend the skin tones. I found it works well on Canson Grain but on Arches, this method of blending can make the paper all fuzzy. Nevertheless, it's still a nice drawing paper, even though it's more expensive than my usual Canson.

                                       (Image is from Doctormacro)

                                Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart

                                             in "Casablanca"

Here's a little about our featured celebrity: Ingrid Bergman was a Swedish actress before she made it to Hollywood. She was quite popular in the 40's in films like "Casablanca", "Gaslight", "Anastasia" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls". A versatile actress, she won multiple Academy Awards in her career. She portrayed a variety of roles like in the human drama, "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" where she played a British missionary in China. One of her most enduring films is the black and white classic "Casablanca" (with Humphrey Bogart) where the romantic song 'As Time Goes By' was originally sung. The scene where her role asked Sam, the piano player, to play the song is equally memorable.

Before I say goodbye for now, here are the few progress shots that I talked about last Sunday.

In the image above, the face is almost complete. I always start a portrait with the eyes. I don't know why, maybe because they are the central feature on the face. Somehow I feel when the eyes have been established, I can determine if I've captured the likeness.

In my earlier portraits, I draw the hair strand by strand with a mechanical pencil but now I establish each lock first and then later I add some highlights and shadows.
                                        

Here, more hair is drawn and also the bust is almost complete.
                                            

                                                                          
And here's the finished portrait.