Ink Drawing, 2024

Dip Ink pen on 9″ x 12″ drawing paper

I chose to work with a dip ink pen for my series of drawings featuring a pepper and three variations of a tomato. The pepper drawing was brought to life through a blend of stippling, cross-hatching, and contour techniques, enriched by the use of a brush to add texture and depth.

When I turned my attention to the tomatoes, each drawing became a journey through different techniques: the first captured the essence with contour lines, the second brought depth with cross-hatching, and the third revealed intricate details through stippling.

Working with the dip ink pen allowed me to approach each stroke with care and precision, building layer upon layer to create a rich tapestry of textures and tones. The process was not just about technique; it was about bringing out the unique character of each subject with every dip of the pen.

Grey Skellie, 2024

Black conte and white conte on textured grey paper

I recreated a 3D skeleton head using black and white Conte on a thick, textured grey paper. For depth, I applied dark Conte generously in the eyes, blending it to create smooth shading across certain areas, enhancing the skull’s three-dimensional appearance. To make the skeleton more realistic, I subtly incorporated white Conte to highlight the teeth and add delicate touches around key features. One of the enjoyable parts was brushing black Conte on the textured paper, which itself added to the skeleton’s lively and textured look.

Self Portrait Figure Conte, 2024

Black, white, and red conte on 24″ x 18″ paper. One on drawing paper, another on thick textured grey paper

For my first self-portrait, I started with my large drawing pad, applying black Conte, red Conte, and white Conte to capture the subtleties of my features. Using a brush and my fingers, I blended these colors to add depth and dimension to the portrait, carefully enhancing the contours of my face. After blending, I used a charcoal pencil to emphasize texture and create bold contrasts in specific areas, pushing the expression to its extremes.

A notable aspect of this process was mixing colored Conte to naturally highlight my cheeks, imbuing the portrait with a lifelike warmth.

In my second self-portrait, I approached the work with increased delicacy and meticulous attention to detail, particularly focusing on refining my depiction, especially in the intricate rendering of the ear. The main focus shifted to capturing the intensity of my gaze, aiming to authentically convey the specific expression I felt in that moment.