Portraiture, Fine Art, & Photography

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NicoleIHamiltonArt@yahoo.com

 

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About Color Portraits

Portraits drawn with Pastel Chalk Pencils or Watercolor Pencils

Pastel Chalk Pencil Portraits

Pastel Chalk portraits are realistic, beautiful color drawings that capture the subject in soft colors. I often combine pastel chalk with graphite, charcoal, colored pencil or other mediums. The additional mediums let me add detail and deepen shadows.

I draw realistic pastel chalk portrait of people, pets, vehicles, and more. You can commission pastel chalk portraits in a variety of sizes. I welcome special requests. You may have text (such as name or date) hand drawn on your portrait, and a hand drawn background. I can create your portrait from one photo, or subjects from multiple photos can be combined to create a single pastel chalk portrait.

Several paper sizes are available for you to choose from: 6x8, 9x12, 11x14, 14x17, 16x20, and 18x24. (These sizes are for white paper only.)

Pastel Chalk contrasts beautifully with colored papers. Ask me about my toned paper, and we can choose a color that fits your portrait. Toned papers are available in sizes 9x12 and 11x14

Quality Materials

All Pastel Chalk portraits are drawn with General's Pastel Chalk Pencils and Sticks, and Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils.

White paper used for portraits is Strathmore smooth finish, 2-ply Bristol paper. This paper is true white, and thick so it resists creasing. It is also acid free so it resists yellowing.

Tones papers are also acid free, and include Strathmore Artagain paper, and Toned Tan and Toned Gray paper.

Creative Process

I start a Pastel Chalk portrait with a detailed sketch of my subject. I may rough in some of the shadows with graphite or charcoal to get a feel for the values in the portrait. I begin carefully choosing the right colors, and start building the tones using the lightest tones first. I may apply the color with the pencils, or uses a soft cloth for smooth tones. I blend the colors using tortillions, a soft cloth, or rubber eraser.

 

Each detailed drawing takes many hours to complete. I normally work on a portrait over several days, a small section at a time. I like to step away from a portrait occasionally, so when I return to it, I see the drawing fresh, and can make changes. Making these many small changes over a few days allows me to create realistic portraits. Please plan ahead and order early for your next special event.

 

Will my Pastel Chalk Portrait last?

 

Yes, if treated with care, you portrait will stand the test of time. Here are a few guidelines to follow:

  • Always handle pastel chalk portraits with care, touching only the edges of the paper. Touching a pastel chalk portrait directly may cause smudging.
  • Keep your portrait from direct sunlight, humidity and water. Always keep your portrait in a climate controlled environment. Humidity and moisture can severely damage the paper, causing wrinkling and discoloration.
  • Store flat, not rolled.
  • Make sure anything touching the paper in the frame, such as the mat or cardboard backing, is made from archival safe, acid free material.

 

Watercolor Pencil Portraits

Watercolor Pencil portraits are realistic paintings that portray the subject using wet media. I often combine watercolor pencils with other dry and wet mediums. Mediums include vibrant Derwent Inktense pencils, and Graphitint Pencils. I may also incorporate colored pencil or another wet medium such as Gouche paint to create fine details.

I paint portraits of people, pets, vehicles, and more. Watercolor portraits can be commissioned in a variety of sizes and I welcome special requests. You may have text (such as name or date) hand painted on your portrait, and I can create a custom background. Portraits can be painted from one photo, or subjects from multiple photos can be combined to create a Watercolor portrait.

Several paper sizes are available for you to choose from: 6x8, 8x12, 9x12, 11x14, 16x20, and 18x24.

Quality Materials

Watercolor portraits are primarily painted using General's and Derwent's Watercolor pencils. When I incorporate other mediums they are usually Derwent or Prismacolor brand.

I paint on Strathmore 400 or 500 series watercolor paper. This paper is white, thick, and acid free so it resists yellowing. It also resist buckling when it is saturated.

Creative Process

I start a Watercolor portrait with a detailed sketch, and then I do an under painting with watercolor to establish the tonal values in the portrait. I will continue to add layers of watercolor pencil, and then begin working on the details of the subject, such as the eyes and hair.

 

Each painting takes a long time to finish. Please plan ahead and order early for your next special event.

 

Will my Watercolor Portrait last?

 

Yes, if treated with care, you portrait will stand the test of time. Here are a few guidelines to follow:

  • Always handle Watercolor portraits by the edges of the paper. The oils in your skin can affect the paper.
  • Keep your portrait from direct sunlight, humidity and water. Always keep your portrait in a climate controlled environment. Humidity and moisture can severely damage the paper, causing wrinkling and discoloration.
  • Store flat, not rolled.
  • Make sure anything touching the paper in the frame, such as the mat or cardboard backing, is made from archival safe, acid free material.

 

 

 

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All content and original art works © Nicole I. Hamilton.

Reproduction or use of any content or works without permission is strictly prohibited.

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