Digital
8 min read

Alisa makes a meany face

This drawing was motivated by my sister and how she was wearing her hair that day. I thought it was different and since I’m fighting with drawing hair or to be more precise trying to find my own way in drawing hair I thought that her style that day would present me with a challenge. 
Written by
Kyle A. Vernon
Published on
June 16, 2021

In a whimsical ode to family dynamics, "Alisa makes a meany face" captures a spontaneous moment of rebellion from the artist's sister. What began as a playful challenge to draw her unique hairstyle evolved into a delightful exploration of expression and hair intricacies.

Digital Pencils and Charcoal, 9.25"x13".

The Challenge of Unique Hair

Motivated by the sister's distinctive hairstyle, the artist embraced the challenge of rendering each strand. The rebellious nature of the moment, with the sister playfully obstructing a clear reference shot, added a layer of spontaneity to the creative process.

"I told her to look my way so I could snap a reference shot on my phone, but she kept putting her hand in the way. Then she started making angry faces at me. So I snapped it and decided to draw it anyway."

Graphite Symphony: Tools and Techniques

Utilizing Academic Drawing Pro A4 for Procreate and a set of graphite pencils (2H, 2B, 4B), the artist embarked on the symphony of strokes. Third-party charcoal brushes, including a dust swipe vine and a Charcoal stick - Sargent, contributed to the visual composition. The Conté brush added its own nuances to the portrait.

A Fun and Permission-Granted Portrait

The process of drawing Alisa's meany face was enjoyable, and the artist obtained permission to share it. The lighthearted approach and familial collaboration turned the artwork into a shared experience.

"The image was fun to draw, and I got her permission to put it on the site."

A Brief Glimpse: Work in Progress

Included is a 30-second video offering a quick glimpse into the creative journey. Condensed into a visual symphony, the time-lapse captures the essence of the hour-and-a-half-long process.

"Included is the 30 sec video of the work in progress. I think it took an hour and a half or so."

In "Alisa makes a meany face," the artist skillfully navigates the interplay of expression and hair, turning a candid moment into a whimsical and captivating portrait.

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