Graphite drawing by Jordan. Learning to draw is not as hard as some make it. You need a good teacher; someone who understands realism and wants to teach you foundation. I can’t express enough how important Foundation learning is. You must learn to understand form and how to create it with warm and cool tones in graphite. Starting to draw with a “Hill and Valley” concept { which I created in my teaching experience } is key to understand more complex skill sets.
I guarantee I can teach you!!!
Starting to add tones and set form with values.
I repainted the face and expression. The upper eye lids needed to be created. I drew from a model, but her upper eye’s were heavy. When I was painting the eyes I knew the angle just wasn’t correct. Here, the lashes are not in and detail shading. I do like the anatomy now.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. I WORK WITH EVERYONE’S SCHEDULE, BEING A BUSY MOM OF THREE I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY HOW TIME IS NOT ALWAYS OUR OWN. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF IS TAKE AN ART LESSON OR TWO IF ART IS WHAT YOU USE TO DO OR WANT TO RESTART. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF.
I painted to this point. The hands are wrong and letter, but it will be okay!
I painted to this point. There are several areas if not all areas that need attention. At this point of realism I need to set the weight of the object or person, correct perspective, and form first before I fine tune the details. I like it so far. The think next I will paint the hands and letter in and then regroup, reevaluate and then details. The background will be damask in contrast eventually.
Inktense pencils is an involved medium. It takes dedication and passion to learn the capabilities of the medium itself. I added a few pictures of a few different colors. Their value ranges are endless of creditability. Notice how the color can be watered thin for a very pale hue or value. 
When drawing with Inktense pencils you do not have to use water, leave the color as though a color pencil effect. You can draw over the wet surface; wet and dried. In the picture below Olivia started an Impressionistic painting.
The concept is after Artist Reed.
One very important fact; the colors Are Not always the color on the top of the pencils!!!! The color may be surprising when wet versus dry. So, check before you add a color to make sure that is what you want.
Here are two new examples of artwork; Inktense by Jordan and oil painting by Olivia. 
Terrific job ladies!!!
As an artist and teacher I try to inspire and help the creative process with learning unrealized. Learning in your element is a joy to say the least.
Here is a portrait of an artist friend’s wife I am repainting for him. He did a good job for his skill level and ability, but you need a strong drawing foundation for best results.
It is also hard to paint a loved one you miss dearly. When you look at the photograph a flood of memories come rushing back and it’s hard to paint through dry tears or flowing ones. That’s a challenge in itself for any artist on any skill level.
So, don’t ever stop trying to improve your portraiture painting, drawing abilities, just maybe wait and start with someone else, not a loved one.
I have about 20 hours in painting this, but I made the mistake of working over his work, where I should have just started over from fresh. Portraiture in any medium you need a strong awareness in tone, form and how to set forms in paint. Very importantly you need a stronger foundation in drawing and drawing elements. There is absolutely no way around that fact. I am sorry to say, unless you are God blessed artistically beyond measure you need to do the base work. Along with Life Drawing and MORE Life Drawing.
There are NO LINES on the face drawn in black or brown. The color black or rarely is ever used in flesh tones. Wrinkles on a face are Hills and Valleys in form and shapes; go back to drawing ruffles and shapes as well as material. If you think you can SKIP this process you are wrong.
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Another huge mistake is to add darkest hues and tones found around eyes and glasses that you’d find in a photograph; painting and photography are two separate mediums which need two different approaches to create. Lighting is key when using photography as your resource.
You must paint complimentary to the figure. Yes, likeness and the essence of the person are required, but do not emphasize disorders. Women don’t wear makeup to highlight their concerns and either should you. Have you ever heard, “Flattery will get you everywhere?”.
If you need help with your portraiture painting and drawing realism I can help.
My recent series has been a continuation of self-portraiture and embracing a New Season in my life. Also looking into the depth of my being and leaving no regrets, past relationships or anything left unsettled or made peace with. The only way to have inner peace completely is to be one hundred percent honest with yourself on all levels. Is it hard? Extremely hard and emotional.
Roxanne 