[JustJeph]

I've been thinking about doing some custom art commissions, but wasn't sure if there would be an interest, so I'm finding out.

I prefer equine, a headshot. I would need a reference: a large, high quality photo of your favourite horse/pony. Just for clarification, a horse or pony you own/lease and a photo you have taken.

I have a few examples, too:
http://patchwork.netii.net/examp3.jpg [ it isn't crooked, promise, I just photographed it at an angle and didn't realize till too late ]
http://patchwork.netii.net/examp1.jpg
http://patchwork.netii.net/examp2.jpg [ from the October issue of Horse Illustrated, photo by Bob Langrish ]

The only downside, is the paper I use holds the graphite so loosely, sending the original would probably be a disaster in the mail as it would smudge terribly. I still need to get a test print, but more than likely I would offer a high quality one time print of it.

Would anyone be interested?

[hamerface]

Originally Posted by JustJeph

The only downside, is the paper I use holds the graphite so loosely, sending the original would probably be a disaster in the mail as it would smudge terribly. I still need to get a test print, but more than likely I would offer a high quality one time print of it.

Would anyone be interested?

I snipped your post, mostly because I don't like quoting everything if I am not replying directly to it. So take no offense please.

If you are sending out graphite originals, I would recommend buying a fixative spray, workable fixative from Krylon is wonderful stuff. It will keep the drawing from smudging, and still allow you to work back into it. It is awesome stuff, and every artist should have some on hand for this reason alone.
The spray is affordable, and would be much more economical than a “one-time print”. Keep in mind too that anyone who has commissioned you will more than likely want the original drawing.

As a cautionary note, many artists find it unethical (sometimes it can be illegal as well) to copy another form of artwork in a new medium. In this case you have taken a photo by Bob Langrish and copied it into a pencil sketch. They are both Art and there will most certainly be some copy right issues there. I am not saying don’t sketch famous photos, or copy them. It can be a great exercise to do. It is always good to remember to give credit when you work from someone else’s photograph, (writing on the back of the work helps J Something like pencil study of ___________) is usually sufficient. Never sell a work created from studying someone else’s photograph either, especially if you have done a bang up job and it is highly recognizable. This is where you can get yourself into trouble.

Lastly, I encourage you to draw from life. It doesn’t have to be horses, it could be a fork, a house plant, a cup, anything. Drawing from life helps train your eye, develop hand eye coordination and will improve your overall drawing skills and ability to render the image you envision in your mind. Its great to draw horses from life too, study horse & animal anatomy books if you really want to concentrate on equine or animal art, and copy the illustrations from the anatomy books as well. Doing things like these will help you understand the physiology of the horse, the structure of its face, muscles and bones, and will help you begin to see when things look disproportionate. Part of the appeal of a drawing is the fact that it is a drawing, and quite often artists who work from photographs get too hung up on making their drawing look like a photo. Remember to keep some of your creative license, and change things where they need to be changed to make the picture look great compositionally, or to make it function as a piece of art.

I think you are off to a great start. I personally am not fond of the white halo you have placed around some of your drawings, but that is my personal preference. “Drawing from the right side of the brain” and is a great asset to anyone who likes to draw If you really want your light areas to pop out, there is no harm in shading on the negative space next to that area. Likewise if you want your dark areas to stand out, leaving white negative space behind them will really help as well. I will see if I can find some examples to show you what I mean.
As far as commissions, do the work for you. Draw pictures that inspire you, and draw pictures that challenge you. It can be very stressful working on something for someone else, especially when you noted that it often will take several attempts to get it just right.
Work on your artwork for you, and everything else will fall into place, so that once you are more comfortable, confident and precise with your mark making you will be able to accept and offer commissioned pieces.

[JustJeph]

I’ve tried different sprays as well has hair spray [ my art teacher suggested it in high school ] and they just didn’t seem to work. Though the hair spray does make the paper curl if you aren’t careful, haha. I wasn’t sure what people would prefer though, so that’s why I’m just trying to get an idea.

The first two are from photos I took, the third is the only copyright image, which is why I said where it came from and who the photographer is. I have no intentions of selling that, I just drew it for an example since I couldn’t find my sketchbook. I’m aware of copyright issues with drawings, no worries. I typically draw from what I have photographed.

I’ve taken drawing classes and did still life drawings. I have drawn from a horse anatomy book actually, way back when my horse craze started. I should find it again.. I don’t try for an exact replica of the photo, I just aim for it to be recognizable as the horse. So if someone sent me their horse, the drawing would be recognizable as Sparky or whoever.

That can be changed, the halo, I just opted for that, I was feeling lazy as they were both drawn in one sitting. I don’t plan on taking on many at a time, as to avoid the stress. The multiple attempts was that particular drawing, such an awkward angle I’d never attempted something like that before. I’ve been doing artwork for myself for a while, just trying to see if anyone else would be interested. I really appreciate your input.

[hamerface]

Originally Posted by JustJeph

I’ve tried different sprays as well has hair spray [ my art teacher suggested it in high school ] and they just didn’t seem to work. Though the hair spray does make the paper curl if you aren’t careful, haha. I wasn’t sure what people would prefer though, so that’s why I’m just trying to get an idea.

I dunno, perhaps you need paper with more tooth, and krylon spray specifically.
Shipping with a layer of newsprint next to the drawing helps as well.


The rest of the post, er.. I was just being cautionary regarding the copyright, and I did note that you had mentioned the original photographer.
No matter anyones skill level, it is always good to draw from life a lot. It keeps the skills sharp, intact and precise and it always improves them.

I'm sure there will be a market for your work if that is the path you want to take.

consider this post a bump if nothing else.

[jade HEre]

hello, i am interested..how much do u charge?

[JustJeph]

Originally Posted by jade HEre

hello, i am interested..how much do u charge?

Sent you a PM.

[JustJeph]

Any other input?