
Step By Step Progress
A sneak peek into my brain to see how I do what I do.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

The original photo

Original photo desaturated and boosted contrast

Progress stages.

The original photo
Milo

The original reference photo, courtesy of Gary Trounsen


Full step by step chart

The original reference photo, courtesy of Gary Trounsen
Self Portrait 01

The original reference photo, taken by me using a timer.

For this drawing I used a slightly different technique than "Girls Just Wanna" and "Milo". This is a much more traditional style of drawing, where I actually drew the outline of the whole work, before starting on the tone etc.

Full progress chart

The original reference photo, taken by me using a timer.

The reference photo, supplied to me by the client for a wedding anniversary present. Norm had recently passed away.

The reference photo de-saturated and the levels adjusted.

"Jill & Norman" complete using graphite pencils

The reference photo, supplied to me by the client for a wedding anniversary present. Norm had recently passed away.
Jill & Norman
Mary

The reference photo, which was a sepia colour, I de-saturated and adjusted the levels.


"Mother Mary" complete using graphite pencils

The reference photo, which was a sepia colour, I de-saturated and adjusted the levels.

The reference photo.


"Rebecca" complete using graphite pencils

The reference photo.
Rebecca
Cast In Contrast

The original reference photo taken by me. The client wanted a drawing of her in the style of "Dwelling in Darkness" with white pastel on black paper. We tried several different poses and she liked this one the best.

I then brought up the contrast in the photo to take away unnecessary detail for this style of drawing, and enhance the light tones.

"Cast in Contrast" complete using white pastel and charcoal

The original reference photo taken by me. The client wanted a drawing of her in the style of "Dwelling in Darkness" with white pastel on black paper. We tried several different poses and she liked this one the best.
Darren & Tenille

I had the idea to do this triptych for my brother Darren, and his new wife Tenille, so I contacted their wedding photographer and discussed my idea, and asked for his permission to use his photos as reference to draw from. Not only did he say yes, but he even emailed me high res versions of them! This is the original reference photo of Tenille, courtesy of "Perceptions Photography". All I did to it was reverse the photo so Darren and Tenille would be facing each other in the final layout.


A photo of the final product, framed.

I had the idea to do this triptych for my brother Darren, and his new wife Tenille, so I contacted their wedding photographer and discussed my idea, and asked for his permission to use his photos as reference to draw from. Not only did he say yes, but he even emailed me high res versions of them! This is the original reference photo of Tenille, courtesy of "Perceptions Photography". All I did to it was reverse the photo so Darren and Tenille would be facing each other in the final layout.
Will's Logo

This is the original scanned draft drawing

Using Photoshop, I then selected only the black lines i wanted to keep, made the rest of it transparent, then changed the colour of the black lines to red.

"Will's Logo" complete using digital media

This is the original scanned draft drawing
Claire

The original reference photo courtesy of Whitespirits Photography. My beautiful wife Claire ♥

Started with the background first on this one because as I work left to right, I didn't want to add it in last and smudge her face by my hand leaning on it

"Claire" complete using graphite pencils

The original reference photo courtesy of Whitespirits Photography. My beautiful wife Claire ♥
Sunset Gums

The original reference photo taken by me climbing a tree!

The floor ground was done first as it would have been more difficult to add later in between branches and such

"Sunset Gums" complete using soft pastels

The original reference photo taken by me climbing a tree!
Passing Time

The reference photo 1

The reference photo 2

Progress stages

The reference photo 1

The original reference photo taken by me


Progress stages

The original reference photo taken by me
Glimpse of Heaven
Bertie

The original reference photo 1

The original reference photo 2

"Bertie" complete using graphite pencils

The original reference photo 1
Past & Present Friends

The original reference photo 1

The original reference photo 1 cut out and de-saturated using photoshop

"Past & Present Friends" complete using graphite pencils

The original reference photo 1