Christopher Lee sketch

[dbclemons]

This was a recent quick sketch I made based on a photo of the actor Christopher Lee. It's gouache and charcoal, on watercolor background, and about 6 X 7 inches.

-David

http://members.ispwest.com/dbclemons/chris-lee.jpg

[frankhart31]

I like the monochrome color scheme, but I think the likeness is off. Perhaps its because i am used to seeing him with a beard? Check your reference again.

[doppelganger]

I like this a lot. The problem with the likeness is that he is a bit too emaciated. He looks like he has stolen peter cushing's cheeks : )
I think the space between his nose and upper lip is too far for Lee. I dont have your reference shot but looking at Hammer Dracula era pics of Lee this is what I see.

Otherwise this is a kick ass rendering man I like it a lot, espceially the grainy blood red look. Which brings me to my question. Did you use gouache to pull out the whites in the charcoal sketch then watercolor over that?

Thanks,

Scott

[Devilock138]

Looks like Moff Tarkin.

But also, I'm always used to seeing him with a beard. I think its a great looking picture though.

[dbclemons]

Thanks for the feedback, friends. I wasn't too concerned with accuracy on the likeness. I accentuated the contrast and "gauntness" a bit to dramatize it more. I was really only interested in the lighting of the photo. In fact, after I quickly sketched it out, I put the reference away. I only mentoned it was Mr. Lee to give credit where credit was due. It's from an old Famous Monsters mag - some publicity shot from one of his Dracula pictures.

Scott, I started with a colored background in watercolor with a wax resist for texture, then drew the charcoal on top a light pencil sketch, finishing with a light gouache wash for highlights.

-David