"Flower Child"

"Flower Child"  Polychromos and Prismacolor colored pencils on
Fabriano watercolor paper from my photo.

When I was in high school, I really thought I could draw.  Our art
classes were made up of 30 students or so, and I was one of the more
talented ones in the bunch.  A lot of students took Art because they
thought it would be an easy A.  When I went to college, however, I
had to take Life Drawing 101 with Mr. Buscaglia, who was known to
be a tough teacher.  He expected perfection and excellence, but in a quiet
humble way.  He never raised his voice, but would simply walk around the
room, and point to an area on your drawing, and nod.  That meant that area
needed more work.  Many times I thought I was finished, and he would
indicate I was just getting started.  He pushed all of us, and helped make
me the artist I am today.

According to him though, "a drawing was never finished, only postponed".
He always said you could come back to it, even years later and re-work
something.  I still hear his voice in my head as I draw...the basics
about line, lost edges, shading, etc, still rattle around as I draw.  So, I have
worked on this enough to make him proud.  I have spent hours
shading, re-doing, adding values, erasing, etc...and now, I
think I am finished!  At least until tomorrow....


For info on children's portraits in colored pencil or graphite:
sheltongail@hotmail.com

Finished Drawing

I have finally had time to finish this drawing.  It really
looks better in person?! It is hard to photograph pencil drawings
for some reason. 
Anyway, I will get this shipped to its new home, out in
Dallas.  I have already drawn the sister at this same age.  
They will make a nice pair of drawings.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Lennon

!

I have been tweaking some more on this drawing...just about finished!
The checks are complete at least...whew    Her hair needs a little
work, and the shading on her face needs some touch-up.  Now that I look
at the photograph, I am able to see what needs doing.  So,
back to the drawing board one more time.

sheltongail@hotmail.com
 

Memorial Portrait

I have been tweaking this drawing tonight.  I think I am
finished.  The picture looks funny...it is very hard to photograph
a pencil drawing with a flash.  I usually try to take them in the
sunlight, but since it is late at night (usually when I draw!),
I had to try.  It really looks better in person.

I have talked to the family, and they are very appreciative.  This was
a very sweet young lady who had taken some of my art classes.
She was very talented, and popular in school.  I know she is
missed by her family and her friends. 
Rest in peace Autumn.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Pastel Portrait

I am continuing to work on this portrait. 

Made a little progress tonight.  Once I

get it all blocked in, I am going to let the

customer look at it.  She may not want me

to go any darker in the shadows, etc.  But I

will let her decide.  Hopefully, she will like

it, and I can be finished! 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Final Molly

I think I am finished with this drawing, and now it

is on to the next one!

For Info on Children's Portraits

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Final Wonder

In the neighborhood where I grew up, there was

a creek (I believe it was really a drainage ditch...)

But anyway, my brother and I would spend a lot

of time down there...exploring, wading, splashing.

One of my favorite memories was catching tadpoles

in the spring. We would put them in empty mayonnaise

jars and take them home. And then, we would enjoy

watching them morph into frogs over the coming weeks.

We would take them back down there, and give them

their freedom.

When I look at this drawing, I remember some of those

simpler times. I guess we could all use some of those.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

I will plan to enter this drawing in an upcoming

competition.

Progress...

I've made a little progress on this drawing of

this little boy..will try to finish tonight.

My longhorns didn't fare too well. I feel so

sorry for Colt; but wasn't he a gracious and

strong loser. I loved his Christian comments.

I believe God will bless him for his faithfulness

and boldness.

for info on Children's portraits:

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Baby on Drawing Board

This cutie is my next commission piece. I don't know

if it is a girl or a boy?! I just got the photo in the mail,

and the request for the drawing. I have started on it

tonight, and will be done in a day or two.

For info on Children's Portraits:

sheltongail@hotmail.com