Ashphord: A Digital Charcoal Odyssey

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Embarking on a digital journey, I present to you "Ashphord," a portrait born from the digital charcoal strokes on an iPad Pro. This artistic endeavor draws inspiration from the captivating models found on the New Masters Academy website, showcasing the artist's adeptness with portraiture and a return to a familiar palette.

Revisiting Palette and Subject

"I worked up this portrait of Ashphord, a model that I referenced from New Masters Academy website. I went back to an old familiar palette and subject matter."

In the realm of portraiture, the artist grapples with a desire not to be exclusively associated with this genre. Portraits, to the artist, serve as exercises—movements to keep the hands nimble until struck by the lightning of a concept worth delving into.

"I don’t want to be associated with my work as a portraitist although that’s most of what you see here. I see them as merely exercises to keep my hands moving, until I get smacked over the head with a concept I want to work on."

Palette and Technique: A Symphony of Charcoal

"I went back to a familiar palette using Digital charcoal on a textured charcoal paper layer. I did a block in with vines and willows and used a kneaded erasure brush to do a little reductive work, then added detail with a 'General' charcoal pencil and highlighted areas with the same brush blended out."

The orchestration of this portrait involves the meticulous use of digital charcoal on a textured charcoal paper layer. The artist engages in a dance of techniques, employing a kneaded erasure brush for reductive work, infusing details with a 'General' charcoal pencil, and delicately highlighting areas with blended precision.

Hair Chronicles: A Constant Evolution

"I finished up with some reds and golds, then started in on the hair… which I need to work on more often. I want to indicate hair, but then I start in on trying to detail it and end up with something in between."

The hair becomes a canvas of constant exploration and evolution. The artist grapples with the delicate balance between indicating the essence of hair and the temptation to delve into intricate detailing. Each stroke tells a story, and the narrative of hair becomes an ongoing chapter in the artist's visual journey.

Proportion Shifts and Background Symphony

"I made a few proportion changes and also added a hint of blue tone in the background and adjusted the transparency so the texture would show through."

As the portrait nears completion, the artist engages in subtle symphonies—adjusting proportions and infusing a hint of blue tone to the background. These nuanced decisions enhance the overall visual narrative, creating a harmonious interplay between subject and environment.

In every stroke, in every adjustment, "Ashphord" stands as a testament to the artist's exploration of form, technique, and the perpetual dance between concept and execution.

The Unveiling: A Video Chronicle

"I made a few proportion changes and also added a hint of blue tone in the background and adjusted the transparency so the texture would show through."

For those eager to witness the birth of "Ashphord," the artist graciously provides a video chronicle capturing the evolution of the portrait from inception to completion. A silent witness to the artistic process, the video adds a layer of intimacy to the viewer's experience.

In the realm of digital charcoal on iPad Pro, "Ashphord" becomes not just a portrait but a visual symphony—an exploration of technique, concept, and the ever-evolving dance of the artist's hands.

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