Maggie Hawthorne 21 Nov 2005

Hi, just wanted to say a very huge big thank you for your tutorials. I have been struggling for about a year now to get facial proportions right, then I read you tutorials on how to trace the outline (I had always tried to avaoid this in the past) anyway I gave it a go and was delighted with the result. The picture you can see has taken about 5 hours so far and I have used both 4h and h for the shading so far. If you can see any problem areas I would be delighted if you pointed them out. Once again an huge big thank you for sharing your knowledge

david bass 24 Nov 2005

awesome work denny. i agree with your statement about the tracing being a tool. i've said this many times to others. tracing and projecting is just a way to speed up the process. it's a tool just like an eraser. i'm a painter and this method gets me to the painting part much quicker. i could do it the other way but the time would kill my excitement before the piece was even drawn. if someone said its cheating if you don't draw it by hand without tracing/projecting then i say to them " ok draw but you can't use an eraser or any other toolmethid such as a grid.

anyway great tutorial denny. have you ever considered doing an illustrated how-to book? you've already got a good start.

jennifer blenkinsopp 06 Dec 2005

There is no stigma in this method at all, I am a not a bad at drawing, all my watercolours I do freehand, the same as my oil paints, but when I started the degas to learn his method in pastels I traced them , the same as my portraits,------- the flaming june oil I did freehand, but with oils you can go over any mistakes,--- my watercolours I do freehand also, just the outlines and draw with the paint, the same as oils. I was told at the watercolour society there is nothing wrong in tracing , or grids or using projectors, its what you do with the paint,-------like I said I do freehand too and -- I can draw,----- but this is quicker and like david said gets you to what you enjoy the most, painting. Also I do imagery paintings which is freehand.

Debbie Gray 25 May 2006

This was awesome Denny, and what a beautiful lady! I have said it before, your work is incredible!

Thanks so much for the tips in your tutorial, and you are so right about the outline! I use an opague projector sometimes, and it looks like nothing when I form an outline. It's filling it in that makes it, and that takes hours and talent! Something that you have so much of! Great work! :0)

Wanda Edwards 26 May 2006

I have been using this technique too, however, I use graphite paper unstead of scribbling the back...mega easier and cleaner!!

Natalie Mason 22 Nov 2007

WOW, it's this first time I've seen this Denny, am Gob Smacked, as we say here in Blighty!!

You're talent is amazing, and thanks so much for this wonderful tutorial, it give me HEAPS of tips and ideas....THANK YOU!

And say Hi to Leigh for me, she looks so fantastic in this drawing (but then again, she always does!).

Hugs Natalie

Susan Epps 02 Dec 2007

This is great, Denny ! I've been thinking about going back to drawing. This will set me right on the path.

Many thanks for posting it !

kiddolucas lee 03 Dec 2007

The Jeans been well handled..Nice textile..nicetouch...Goodwork..KEEP IT UP !!!!

WESTERN ARTWORK By Denny Karchner 13 Jan 2009

Sorry I have not been back in awhile. I hope this has helped someone. Thanks to all who posted.--Denny ;{

Minnie Shuler 19 Jul 2009

It has. TY This is one of my earlier graphite drawings I can see many places to improve. Original was 16 x 20...this is not a good scan. This was the first print I had made and actually it sold very well.

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