Elena (highlighting)

[khaebs]

I noticed in your art you really make it look just like a real photograph. I think what you do that really stands out in my head is the highlighting. The shading is fantastic, too, but the highlighting is what makes it stand out IMO. Especially with the hair and the eyes, like the whites of the eyes are brighter than the whole pic...how do you do that?

[Linet]

yea I would be interestied to hear it 2 cuz I`m realyy not good at drawing so pls people shear your wizdam with us

first of all thanks
I'll try to say a few things, though I don't feel like an expert in giving advice, to help my explanations, I'll give an example of a drawing of mine in comparison to the original:
<--eyes for sure
I guess what you can see very well here, is that black and white are directly besides eachother and that's what makes it look so dramatic. I picked that up and tried to draw it like that, as you can see I didn't succeed perfectly, there are way more highlights than I drew. Also what I usually try to do is to give the face a basic grey-tone, every portrait-photo has that, as long as you don't push the contrast and make the skin shine. This way the highlight in the eyes become highlights of the whole portrait, because they'll be the lightest parts around. Sure you'll have to be careful to keep them totally white. Oh and don't draw one big highlight, but draw it the way you can see it on the pic, it'll look much more natural, and look close, see there are more highlight than just the reflection, eyes are wet and the wetness reflects light too, just take a look at my example and start looking as carefully at your references as you're doing it now.
Technique-wise I gotta recomend really sharp pencils, or if you got one a mechanical pencil (just my last few works are done with it though, so a sparp usual pencil works just fine!)
When it comes to hair I'm a lot more insecure myself, but I guess the point is just the same as bout the eyes, no matter what hair-color, there are always white highlights and black shadows, don't be afraid to draw them. I think contrasts bring the picture to life.

Hope I could help a bit

[Innocent-Angel]

Elena I think the eye you have drawn looks better than the one on the picture. Thankies for that information, now I now how you do it

[khaebs]

So are you saying the highlights are just the shade of the paper? I wasn't sure if you used a white pencil...Would you recommend using a white pencil?
Also, since you recommend using a very sharp pencil, how do you get the lines so soft? Do you smudge using a cotton ball?
And do you add your name to your artwork later using the computer?
Sorry for so many questions, but I think you give very good advice...

Yes
No
...
Yes
Yes
thanks
now this was very good advice, hm?!

Even though I bet you'd get that, I'll be a bit more clear
Yes the highlight are just parts that I leave white, therefore to get sharp edges the sharp pencil is needed. I bought some different white pencils and tried them but nothing worked for me, so I just kept on doing the negative drawing technique.
The softness in the shading is achieved by smudging, you're right there, cottonballs is right too :P , and for smaller and real tiny places q-tips and tortillions do the job.
And well the name is just something I add because of those art-thieves out there, though it ain't a huge barrier, it's at least something, oh and I kinda like it :P
Don't worry, Kim, just keep asking, your questions are easy to answer cause they're clear and detailed

[binobina214]

hi, khaebs~

Tortillions, to me, are a lifesaver. I do almost an entire sketch using only a tortillion. I have them in all sizes and keep a bit of sandpaper to clean them. They are inexpensive, and last a long time. Give them a try...maybe practice with some blending. I keep a scrap piece of paper with some scribbles of pencil tint on it. I then use it as a palette, getting some tint on it and using like paint. Hope this helps!

Mary

[khaebs]

Thanks for the advice, I am working on a new picture now, and I am getting very frustrated with how it is turning out. The only thing I tried differently is using a Q-tip instead of my fingers to blend shadows. I've never heard of tortillions but I will look into it! They sound like maybe that is the answer I've been looking for!

[binobina214]

You can purchase these at any craft/art supply store. All tortillions are, basically, are rolled up thin strips of paper. They are rolled into a sharp point...I could go on, but why don't you try this: http://www.dickblick.com/zz229/42/ I get mine locally here in MD, but I'm sure you can find them near you, too.

Mary

Originally Posted by khaebs

Thanks for the advice, I am working on a new picture now, and I am getting very frustrated with how it is turning out. The only thing I tried differently is using a Q-tip instead of my fingers to blend shadows. I've never heard of tortillions but I will look into it! They sound like maybe that is the answer I've been looking for!

Check out Blending Stumps too. I like them way better than tortillons. Q-tips work great...I still use them too.