Digital
8 min read

Facial Study Female

This isn’t the first time I’ve tried to draw this young model. I don’t recall her name or I’d offer it. The reference image is from a set of model test images I created when I had my photo studio in Las Vegas back in the early 1990’s. This time I think I rendered a pretty good resemblance of the reference...
Written by
Kyle A. Vernon
Published on
December 10, 2021

In the realm of artistic endeavors, revisiting familiar subjects can unfold new chapters. Such is the case with my latest endeavor—a charcoal portrait of a young model from the early 1990s, whose name escapes my memory.

The reference image, a relic from my photo studio days in Las Vegas, became the canvas for my creative exploration. Armed with Procreate, my preferred charcoal pack, and a carefully chosen substrate, I embarked on a journey of rediscovery.

Facial Study in Digital Charcoal, original size 19.5" x 24.5" Limited Edition prints 14" x17.5" 25/25

"This isn’t the first time I’ve tried to draw this young model. I don’t recall her name or I’d offer it. This took approximately 7 and a half hours and over 11k brush strokes."

The creative process was a delicate dance between enveloping and size sight techniques. Each stroke carried the weight of past attempts, yet I approached it with renewed vigor. The struggle of multiple endeavors culminated in a rendering that, this time, felt like a genuine success.

The dedication invested in this portrait manifested in over 11,000 brush strokes, spanning a meticulous 7 and a half hours. The result—a visual representation of my artistic evolution and perseverance.

To offer you a glimpse into this journey, I've compiled a short video capturing the essence of the build. From the initial blank canvas to the final strokes, witness the transformation unfold.

In every stroke, I rediscovered the intricacies of this young face, immortalizing her essence on canvas. This rendition stands as a testament to the beauty of persistence and the ever-unfolding chapters of artistic expression.

View Pricing

In The Press.

Weekly newsletter
No spam. Just the latest releases and tips, interesting articles, and exclusive interviews in your inbox every week.
Read about our privacy policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.