Portrait in Graphite - Stay With Me

I know exactly what I am doing when I am modelling the main features of the face but when it comes to the hair, I draw a blank. Never know what to do with it. Some portraits I have just left them as a line drawing, here I added shading as an afterthought. Completely clueless............what do you think?

Peterborough Art Gallery

Last weekend we went to Peterborough to see the Lock at the Trent Severn Waterway (will post those pics later) and after that visited the local Art Gallery. It was hosting the work of David Bierk and his four sons Jeff, Alex, Nick and Charlie. My favorite was the oil potraits of Charlie Bierk - they were huge and looked like blown up black & white photographs.

Oil paintings of Charlie Bierk

This pretty much sums me up - Art & Antique - my two loves !

The kids found a cozy corner to chill in.

This had me giggling............

That is a Caravaggio in the back of Nick Bierk.

Loved the design of the gallery, very industrial

From the window of the gallery, the boys were about to jump into the water. It was such a beautiful day.

A rare pic of the man behind the camera.........the husband.

David Bierk in his studio.

The gallery shop housed a small library which looked onto the water. I fell in love with this space. Just imagine spending your days reading here..........Bliss..............

Co-Students work

These are the works of my dear friends at school who have amazing talent and are beautiful people inside and out ! They make going to school so much more fun ! Thanks so much ma friends !

Sumaira's Charcoal assignment of Eye Cast.
She's too shy to get her pic taken but you can be graced with her hand and that rock of an engagement ring !

Keira's Charcoal assignment of a Bust. She is also an aspiring model
and models for my Fashion Shop at Sparrow Lyn

Graphite Portrait: The Glistening

Artwork by Lynda D'Souza
Title: The Glistening
Graphite on Manila Paper

So I showed this to the Prof who gave me a good critique, said Wow and that he liked the stylized rendering. He thought they would look great in a gallery as they had a unified theme and style. Asked me to keep it intuitive and I do................I very much go with my gut and intuition when drawing. 

School Props

These are just some of the props students use in their still life compositions. Quite an eclectic collection.

A piece I am personally eyeing........such a beautiful skull. Yeah I got a thing for skulls !

A students left over paper pallete. My current assignment is my first in oils and I can't wait to get started. Haven't touched oils for 3 years now.

Artist Spotlight: Andrew Salgado

I am mesmerized by Andrew Salgado's work. He is Canadian and went to school with my dear friend Kiera in Regina - how cool is that ! I have always loved Impressionist work. My two loves of Portraits and Impressionism would probably result in something like this. My other favorite artist who's work is very similar is Victor Wang. Definitely drawn to the richness of paint - the actual application of paint - the blobs, the drips, the imperfections..................

Portrait Barbara Palvin

Artwork by Lynda D'Souza
Title: Poetic Gaze
Graphite on Manila Paper

There ! its done. Had a bit of fixing to do and calling it done. I could seriously go on tweaking till I've tweaked it to death. I have to force myself to let it go. Guess its the perfectionist in me ! 

"Poetic Gaze" WIP

Artwork by Lynda D'Souza
Title: Poetic Gaze
Graphite on Manila paper

Barbara Palvin is her name. I am in love with her face and absolutely love drawing her. Have tweaked it a bit more after this pic was taken, will post the final one tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a wonderful day today........get outside !! its bright and sunshiny !!

Work In Progress

Its been a journey arriving at the realization that I want to specialize in PORTRAITS. When I was doing my "100 paintings from one painting a day" exercise, I started off with painting still lifes, then moved onto fresh fruit, then tried shoes (coz I had alot of them lying around), then clothes and one day - just out of running out of subject matter I tried drawing a face and had an AHA moment ! With portraits there is no margin for error - you either get it right or wrong. And that is what I like about doing portraits (probably also explains why I don't like doing landscapes).

So ever since I have been doing portraits only. I tried my hand at full body and half body but nothing compares to the pure joy from drawing a close up face.

Here is a piece I am working on currently, its taking longer than my usual sketches simply because I took a two month break and its taking a while to get back into the zone. Will post finished piece shortly.

Scenes from School and Moi

The last few days of me working on the skull, which is now framed and hanging in my kitchen. I am now onto my first oil assignment in school and itching to those brushes out.

Progress of current cast

Still working on the construct and have spent 2 full days just on the right eye. And I don't think I am done with it yet. The hair is going to be challenging as its the first time for me doing curly hair with so much detail in it.

This cast is called "Guiliano" the good looking twin as everyone refers to it in school. I look forward to transferring it on canvas and actually getting down to painting it.

ARA Spring Show & Sale Art

These are just some of the amazing art by fellow students that are put up for viewing & sale during the ARA Spring Exhibition. The photos do not justice to the actual pieces and worth the trip in seeing them up front.

All pics courtesy of The Academy of Realist Art Toronto.

Spring Exhibition at ARA

Courtesy of The Academy of Realist Art

My school is hosting a Student organized Spring Show & Sale next weekend and today most of the works were put up. Honestly there is some serious talent in our school. Most of the work is student's assignments which are produced under direction from our teachers. The realism achieved is amazing to say the least. 

Drop in at the school next weekend to see the incredible artwork in person.

Scenes from School

The main aisle featuring works of students in graphite, charcoal and oil

Students work in oil

Close up

Courtesy of The Academy of Realist Art

After my trip to India and Dubai, I have resumed classes at school and wanted to share some daily scenes. The students impress me everyday and it is wonderful to be surrounded by so much talent and beauty everyday.

Daily Sketch "Wandering Thoughts"

I find that you start off with a blank page and then some higher power guides your hand and the result is this. I never go in with a plan but am finding that my work is going in a direction that I like. Think I will stick with this format...........

Artwork by Lynda D'Souza
Title: Wandering Thoughts
Graphite on Manila Paper

Family at the Comic Con 2014 Toronto

The family went to the Toronto Comic Con last week and was I impressed with all the artists there. They had over 5 alleys of Artists with many Action Hero Illustrators but I found myself most drawn to the below three artists.

Shilin Illustration

Talking to Shilin who's work was so delicate and beautiful, she said its hard being an artist and she actually studied to be a music teacher and art was her hobby. Now she is illustrating full time and creating some amazing comic books. Her sketch book was for sale at $35 and I was so tempted to buy it.

Rebecca Yanovskaya

The lovely Rebecca with her amazing work

Rebecca's work was done in ball point and gold leaf and I loved the ethereal characters and representations of the god-like characters. She was so sweet and helpful, even gave me a contact for a good art printer in Toronto. Le Pix if you are looking for one.

Lamin Illustration

I didn't get to talk to Lamin but his work was just as beautiful and I was standing there just drooling over the details. I so envy these artists who have mastered digital art. I am still mastering manual art so really don't know when I will get to the Wacom.

My babies Aaliyah & Layla along with me in the Artists Alleys.

I was most pleased to see that my daughters were as interested in the Artists as I was. The older one is studying Visual Art in High School, and the younger one is into cartoon illustration..........what can I say - the apples don't fall far from the tree.

daily sketch - glances

Artwork by Lynda D'Souza
Title: Glances
Graphite on Manila Paper

This is an older one done before the Young Queen. The more I do, the better I get.