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Paul-Shanghai — Contemplation

Published: 2013-10-05 07:07:25 +0000 UTC; Views: 18842; Favourites: 784; Downloads: 5
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Description As you can tell I am running out of 'WET' type words Either I will have to think of some more - or stop drawing wet people

Loved the reference and for once I love the drawing (am I allowed to say I like my own work?) Still I think the tones, textures and expression are wonderful - a great emmotional picture with the added bonus of water, and it almost fits into my sporadic 'half face' series

Found this reference during a google search, and wanted to draw it instantly - searched twice for the owner, and could not find it - if you are the owner (or know the photographer) please let me know so I can give them the proper credit they deserve.

Nice Size this piece - 40X30cm on Bristol Board Smooth paper, using the usual suspects of 4H, HB, 4B and 8B Pencils, my Tombo Mono Zero eraser and pencil blending stick - in all between 20-25 hours give or take 5 hours

One of my favourites - let me know what you think

I have just uploaded a short animation show the various stages of drawing - you can view it here...
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Comments: 237

Paul-Shanghai In reply to ??? [2013-10-06 10:50:00 +0000 UTC]

Hahaha I didn't know and I a sure many people would disagree - but very kind of you to say

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MsOddball In reply to Paul-Shanghai [2013-10-06 10:57:47 +0000 UTC]

No one would disagree, trust me

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alexandra-91 In reply to ??? [2013-10-06 09:27:44 +0000 UTC]

Very good job!

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to alexandra-91 [2013-10-06 10:49:19 +0000 UTC]

Glad you like it

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danielag82 In reply to ??? [2013-10-06 06:56:31 +0000 UTC]

Wow that's great done  

And we need more handsome drawn men here  

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to danielag82 [2013-10-06 10:49:01 +0000 UTC]

I will look out for more male portraits to do thanks for the comment

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danielag82 In reply to Paul-Shanghai [2013-10-06 11:06:30 +0000 UTC]

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HTRe In reply to ??? [2013-10-06 04:25:10 +0000 UTC]

i really like it, but I think the body looks like it still needs to be worked cuz the head is so more realistic than the body, still, awesome

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to HTRe [2013-10-06 05:24:54 +0000 UTC]

Well the body is really supposed to be out of focus - just a blur, as the focus should be on the face and water droplets as they lean forward/are closer to the camera lens. Thanks for your observations and comments.

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HTRe In reply to Paul-Shanghai [2013-10-10 20:08:44 +0000 UTC]

Oh I see, well, I really like it :3 I thought it could be something like that XD

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ulltraz In reply to ??? [2013-10-06 03:36:47 +0000 UTC]

fantastic!!! 

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to ulltraz [2013-10-06 05:23:13 +0000 UTC]

Thanks - glad you like it

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ulltraz In reply to Paul-Shanghai [2013-10-06 07:10:06 +0000 UTC]

you are welcome!!! 

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twilight-girl22 In reply to ??? [2013-10-06 00:46:46 +0000 UTC]

I don't have words *O*

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to twilight-girl22 [2013-10-06 01:51:08 +0000 UTC]

The ones you wrote will do - thank you

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twilight-girl22 In reply to Paul-Shanghai [2013-10-06 02:32:33 +0000 UTC]

Haha you're welcome! xD

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misunn [2013-10-06 00:19:52 +0000 UTC]

shoot i thought this was a picture D

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to misunn [2013-10-06 01:50:45 +0000 UTC]

I am glad you thought that - it must mean that it is ok

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jennasartwork In reply to ??? [2013-10-05 23:38:07 +0000 UTC]

This is incredible work, you should definitely be proud

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to jennasartwork [2013-10-06 01:49:41 +0000 UTC]

Thanks - appreciate the comment

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Nightpark In reply to ??? [2013-10-05 23:20:36 +0000 UTC]

This whole piece is amazing, but I especially like how you pulled off the drops of water caught in the beard. Well done!

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to Nightpark [2013-10-06 01:49:21 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, I actually overdid the water in the beard at first, and had to tone it down a little - the reference actually had very little water droplets on the beard - which just didn't seem right to me, so I added a little imagination  

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Giogiogio4 In reply to ??? [2013-10-05 21:58:04 +0000 UTC]

As the great Fredfredburger would say.

"Yes".

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to Giogiogio4 [2013-10-06 01:47:57 +0000 UTC]

Well I have no idea who fredfredburger is - but I would like to thank him and you for your kind words

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LadyAmbra In reply to ??? [2013-10-05 21:20:26 +0000 UTC]

Every piece of art is a self-portrait, as it is said, and in this gorgeous rendering, your own Contemplation radiates through.  You must have enjoyed several hours of pure artistic flow in working on this piece.  I feel a strong, peaceful, surrendering - something cleansing him on the inside as well as the out.  Your instincts are perfect - this image does communicate a powerful experience, especially through the graduated tones of grey of graphite.

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to LadyAmbra [2013-10-05 21:48:31 +0000 UTC]

Your are totally correct - some pieces start off as exciting and quickly trend into boring or meaningless, others (like this one) continue to grip you with every pencil stroke, and apart from enjoying the final result, there is also small amount of sadness that it is finished! I have never re-drawn a piece of work, but if I ever feel compelled to do so, I am sure this will be high up on the 'to-do' list

Thanks for the wonderful and thoughtful comment

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PhotonLights In reply to ??? [2013-10-05 19:39:00 +0000 UTC]

This is amazing like always Paul, fantastic work it looks absolutely real I love the drops and the focus. Well done

And of course you can say you like your work, I don't get it when did this become a bad thing? XD I'm sick of people saying they don't like how their drawings came out especially when they look stunning :/

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to PhotonLights [2013-10-05 21:43:59 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Georgia - I guess part of being an 'artist' is to continue to strive for 'perfection' and admitting you love what you did is considered a) a little bit arrogant and b) restrictive to improving - but sometimes I do not care about convention and say what I feel I know I still have much to improve, but occasionally I can also be happy about what I have produced

Your own work is coming on wonderfully - just added you to my 'Watch' list, do not want to miss anything  

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PhotonLights In reply to Paul-Shanghai [2013-10-06 08:32:03 +0000 UTC]

I agree with everything I know it can be viewed as arrogance but I really think people should be more free to say they love their drawings. I'm not afraid to say I like my drawings cause I really do and I know they're far from perfect but that doesn't stop me from enjoying them. And as for improvement I think artists never stop improving I have a friend who's like 70 years old and had been a professional painter almost her whole life and she says she still improves till this day so yeah XD 

And thank you very much Paul that's an honor!

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WalkinginDreamlight In reply to ??? [2013-10-05 19:31:07 +0000 UTC]

Here it is, my friend:


To Make My Quiet Heart Smileto tell the times
when children weep
the world grows malign
with such terrible
wonders
inside

my thoughts
now each day
early morning rising
contemplates
the abstract quiet
of pain behind
closed eyes

hoping
that after
shower
the world will have
something happy
to tell me
this day

to make
my quiet
heart
smile

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to WalkinginDreamlight [2013-10-08 03:04:49 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for this my friend - incredible that my drawing brings you to write a poem - incredible


Thanks you 

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WalkinginDreamlight In reply to Paul-Shanghai [2013-10-08 07:18:57 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome, Paul

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Ankredible [2013-10-05 19:22:57 +0000 UTC]

*died*

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to Ankredible [2013-10-05 21:37:10 +0000 UTC]

I hope not thanks for commenting

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Ankredible In reply to Paul-Shanghai [2013-10-05 23:48:33 +0000 UTC]

haha yep

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FilipaP In reply to ??? [2013-10-05 19:22:27 +0000 UTC]

amazing! i love it!

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to FilipaP [2013-10-05 21:36:29 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful - here to (try and) please

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Crimson-Ch3rry In reply to ??? [2013-10-05 19:04:14 +0000 UTC]

Oh wow it looks amazing!Great work.

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to Crimson-Ch3rry [2013-10-05 21:35:49 +0000 UTC]

Thank you - glad you like it

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Silvers-crow In reply to ??? [2013-10-05 18:32:42 +0000 UTC]

Absolutely stunning!!! I love the detail and textures...  I am so jealous right now, this is the level of realism I would love to achieve...

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to Silvers-crow [2013-10-05 21:35:21 +0000 UTC]

Really nice to read your lovely comments - thank you

I think we all aspire to reach a level that we can be proud of, I know I still have a long way to go to reach my own personal goal, but feel that each drawing is one step closer, I am sure it is the same for you

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Silvers-crow In reply to Paul-Shanghai [2013-10-17 11:51:55 +0000 UTC]

I do agree.  It is one of the things we do to better ourselves: keep working at it, keep practicing. 

I get a kick out of it when people say that I don't need to try anymore, that they think I've reached good enough level; even if that were true, then there are so many other techniques and mediums to try out and develop ourselves with.  The evolution of the artistic soul is a never-ending journey! I even find that when I go through times where I don't want to draw, that I'm imagining how I would draw or paint the things I see in my head.

...and I'm rambling... early mornings and too much coffee has side-effects....

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Wimmus3D [2013-10-05 18:23:57 +0000 UTC]

Great work. Excellent drawing.

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to Wimmus3D [2013-10-05 21:32:33 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much

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Sonny112 [2013-10-05 16:42:33 +0000 UTC]

superb!!

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to Sonny112 [2013-10-05 21:32:07 +0000 UTC]

Thanks - appreciate the comment

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eajna In reply to ??? [2013-10-05 16:18:16 +0000 UTC]

I love it!!! Really beautiful, I could look at it all day

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Paul-Shanghai In reply to eajna [2013-10-05 21:31:44 +0000 UTC]

Really appreciate your lovely comment, I have in fact left this one on my drawing table waiting to be framed - I would feel guilty just putting it into a folder like the rest of my work  

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eajna In reply to Paul-Shanghai [2013-10-07 08:37:37 +0000 UTC]

you're absolutely right, but all your other drawings also deserve to be framed!

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jourixia In reply to ??? [2013-10-05 16:10:37 +0000 UTC]

Excellent!!!

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