First drawing of Marilyn

I've worked on this on and off for weeks. I just can't get people down. The details have to be so perfect that I can't get them right no matter how many adjustments I make. Hair is too much work, too.
ron

I've worked on this on and off for weeks. I just can't get people down. The details have to be so perfect that I can't get them right no matter how many adjustments I make. Hair is too much work, too.
ron

Hi knightedduke http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Very nice work!!!!
Don´t give up!!! Don´t forget you are trying to accomplish one of the most complicated vector works that can be made: the human figure.I wish i can go for such complicated works...
Besides that it seems you are very very close to master it.
I can identify that expression on her face http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif Very nice! Thumbs up!
I almost can feel your frustation with the hair part. I never tried it before but it seems very complicated to achieve the correct look. I´m sure there´s should be some good techniques for that. I´ve already seen some good works on the subject.

Good luck and keep updating the image http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Regards,
Miguel

Ron,

Youare gonna make Richard start panting here...

The heck with Richard. She looks good enough to eat right now... Now give us the rest of the portrait...

sheesh, I am such a vert...

to old to be a "pre-vert" http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

OH MY GODDESS!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif I bow before you. Your effort is wonderful. You are my God (kidding but we all want to hear that at least once in our life time! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif )

The hair issue should be easier than you are making it. Try this. Make a blob for the shape of the hair for the bottom layer, then build the other blob shapes for the highligthts and low-lights. Then take your tablet and stylus and choose a .05 pt line width and a Cigar line shape and draw in the individual hairs to create depth and realism over the shaped blobs created for depth and highlighted areas of the hairdo. You don't have to go hog wild and cover all the hair blob shapes, on the contrary you want parts of the highlight and low-light shapes base color to peer out from behind, adds depth. Then take and group the hair strands (you might want to do this whole process in layers so you can make the main hair blobs non editable while drawing in the individual strands) and apply a 4 point fill and choose white, yellow, gold and maybe white or yellow again and adjust the 'box' so it's how you want it so you are creating more depth and realism.

I guess being a hair dresser makes the 'vision' easier than it sounds but in drawing humans and animals the hair is pretty important (eye lashes, eye brows, facial hair and any other hair) There are many techniques but this one seems the best for this sort of multi dimentional effect you are going for.

The facial expression is just perfect but there is something not quite right about the nose or maybe I see an angular shadow on the left side of her face that should be a bit softer.... not sure, can't figure it out. I know the "pose" and the "look" but I need a picture to see. You got the original Ron??

Don't give up, it's worth it and Marilyn thanks you with a big kiss on the cheek and purrrring greatfully in your ear....... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Looking good Ron!

Don't stop now ... you're almost there. Amazing!

Here's the wireframe. I thickened all the lines in order for you to be able to see them all clearly.
ron

Durn Ron,

How come there are parts showing in the wireframe that do not correspond to the drawing. Is that that durn unwanted modesty filter again? http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Actual photo drawing was done from.
ron

Yup hair can be a real problem some times Ron. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif In this case it looks like well formed cotton candy and that can be a challenge to give it JUST the right look, to appear as over processed, set and styled hair, so you did well, I think!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Thanks for posting the original, that tells me a bit more. I really do think this is a wonderful rendition of the Goddess of Beauty so if I were you I'd keep going with developing your skills in drawing humans. You got the knack!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Dang Ron,

There goes that modesty filter again... There has to be a way to turn that dang thing off.

Hey Richard... You know of any registry settings to turn off that modesty filter? http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Hi, Knightedduke! It's incredible drawing! Im hapy to see your works.
Akeela

Very nicely done, Ron. I'm impressed!

There is no question about the likeness, that's for sure! I think you did an especially especially good job with the colour. I know, some might say that the colour picker helps... but it's not all that easy when you are trying to make smooth transitions.

Thumbs up! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Thanks everyone. The hair is something that will take me some time and patience to figure out.

"The hair is something that will take me some time and patience to figure out." - Ron

When you figure out how to do it, make up a Tut! I am pulling my hair out trying to get good looking hair myself.