Basic Drawing Skills – Meryl Streep

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Rex Beanland

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4 Responses to Basic Drawing Skills – Meryl Streep

Shelley McConnell says:

March 22, 2012 at 8:32 pm

I really like this drawing, Rex (and not only because she’s such a great actress/human!). I think the restraint you’ve been talking about in your painting has carried over into your drawing. I especially like that demonstrated in the subtle yet skillful treatment of the hair. It’s also neat to see that even in a portrait, you still have a focal point that you’ve developed with value and more detailed marks in the eye/expression area. My favorite of all the drawings on your site.

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- Rex Beanland says:
  
  March 23, 2012 at 2:14 pm
  
  Hi Shelley: I believe this is the first comment I’ve had on a pencil sketch. So thanks. Shading hair is very challenging as evidenced by the students in the class so I’m appreciative that it seems restrained but effective. As for the eyes it was a bit of a challenge. Portraits with dramatic shadows on the face are actually easier to draw. This portrait had very even lighting so the shadows on the face and the eye were subtle. I tried to bring the impact of the eyes up a bit. My struggle with this portrait was definitely the mouth. She has a very characteristic mouth that doesn’t exactly follow the ‘norm’. I would like to work more on the mouth.
  Now I have a question/comment for you. You’re insights and involvement in art are great and it’s something that’s important to you. Also your painting that you showed me was very good. Are you able to do any art yourself?
  
  Take care, and good luck.
  
  Rex
  
  Reply
shelley says:

March 25, 2012 at 2:40 pm

It’s funny what you said about Meryl Streep’s mouth, Rex, because when I saw this drawing for the first time, I thought, “Wow, does that ever look like her, he even captured the mouth!” But more than that, the drawing really captures something about her inner self too.

I do visit this and other art sites quite often. I really enjoy people talking about the art process and the the various (sometimes magical) ways that something they’ve created comes about. I did do a bit of drawing and painting in the past (drawing was my minor in my first degree at university). I would love to get back into it and have fantasies about having the time to do something like what you’re doing now. Right now, the plate is full with work and a busy 3 year old, but when he’s bigger, I’ll definitely pursue more art. I’m really lucky in the work I do, as I get to have a creative outlet through that too, so I’m not always longing.

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- Rex Beanland says:
  
  March 25, 2012 at 3:06 pm
  
  I’m very pleased with your comments about the drawing. That’s what we all hope for, to capture something more than the lines on the paper. That’s also very good for you that you will get back to art. Now that I’m retired I’m grateful every day that I have a creative outlet that allows me to express my thoughts and feelings on life, nature and everything.
  
  Rex
  
  Reply