A while ago Dina Wakley recommended the book 100 Girls on Cheap Paper.
It's a collection of drawings by artist Tina Berning. The book title pretty much sums it all up. Inside are 100 drawings of girls on cheap paper. But they're wonderful expressive drawings done with an economy of line and great mastery of shadow and light. Here are two of the drawings from inside the book:
Amazing, right?
This is not an instructional book. There's a very short introduction and then page after page of beautiful paintings and drawings. After flipping through the book I was immediately inspired to start my own catalogue of 100 girls. I have nowhere near the skill level of Tina Berning, but I have enjoyed the (somewhat) daily practice of drawing faces. While I haven't yet made it to 100, I have filled an entire book with faces.
I had only two rules when working on the faces: experiment with different materials and push myself out of my comfort zone. Some of the faces are good. Some are horrifyingly bad. But, I think there's growth over time. The first drawing in the book is from January of 2012 and the last is from last week. So, they cover a good span of time and I've been drawing faces elsewhere in between. I was going to share only my faves, but then I decided it would probably be a good idea to share them all. However, there are so many of them that I've divided them into three posts, which I'll share over the next week or so.
Without any further ado, here is the first set of faces:
Most of these were done in June of this year and I have to confess that these early faces are some of my least favorite. But they represent learning and experimentation and I love them for that! I will share more tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by!
I love how your push yourself to try new things! It inspires me!
Are these faces from your head or are they people you know or have seen?
I love how your push yourself to try new things! It inspires me!
Are these faces from your head or are they people you know or have seen?
I love how your push yourself to try new things! It inspires me!
Are these faces from your head or are they people you know or have seen?
I love how your push yourself to try new things! It inspires me!
Are these faces from your head or are they people you know or have seen?
I love how your push yourself to try new things! It inspires me!
Are these faces from your head or are they people you know or have seen?
Julie,
Your most horrifying could easily be my best! lol I see your Mom in here, love that! TFS
Julie,
Your most horrifying could easily be my best! lol I see your Mom in here, love that! TFS
Julie,
Your most horrifying could easily be my best! lol I see your Mom in here, love that! TFS
Julie,
Your most horrifying could easily be my best! lol I see your Mom in here, love that! TFS
Julie,
Your most horrifying could easily be my best! lol I see your Mom in here, love that! TFS
I love the cheap paper angle of this book.
I love the cheap paper angle of this book.
I love the cheap paper angle of this book.
I love the cheap paper angle of this book.
I love the cheap paper angle of this book.
Hi Julie…I’ll make it the third Mary in a row to post a comment. I love this idea…your faces are wonderful. I’ll have to check out Tina’s book and website. When you did the Sumi ink face, did you have the ink in a water brush or use a regular brush? That face is my favorite of the ones you posted.
Hi Julie…I’ll make it the third Mary in a row to post a comment. I love this idea…your faces are wonderful. I’ll have to check out Tina’s book and website. When you did the Sumi ink face, did you have the ink in a water brush or use a regular brush? That face is my favorite of the ones you posted.
Hi Julie…I’ll make it the third Mary in a row to post a comment. I love this idea…your faces are wonderful. I’ll have to check out Tina’s book and website. When you did the Sumi ink face, did you have the ink in a water brush or use a regular brush? That face is my favorite of the ones you posted.
Hi Julie…I’ll make it the third Mary in a row to post a comment. I love this idea…your faces are wonderful. I’ll have to check out Tina’s book and website. When you did the Sumi ink face, did you have the ink in a water brush or use a regular brush? That face is my favorite of the ones you posted.
Hi Julie…I’ll make it the third Mary in a row to post a comment. I love this idea…your faces are wonderful. I’ll have to check out Tina’s book and website. When you did the Sumi ink face, did you have the ink in a water brush or use a regular brush? That face is my favorite of the ones you posted.
I think that I saw your mother in watersoluble pencil.
I think that I saw your mother in watersoluble pencil.
I think that I saw your mother in watersoluble pencil.
I think that I saw your mother in watersoluble pencil.
I think that I saw your mother in watersoluble pencil.
Fantastic job Julie, even the ugly ones LOL!
Fantastic job Julie, even the ugly ones LOL!
Fantastic job Julie, even the ugly ones LOL!
Fantastic job Julie, even the ugly ones LOL!
Fantastic job Julie, even the ugly ones LOL!
What a wonderful concept! And I love seeing the variety and progression in your work. Looking forward to the next posts in the series!
What a wonderful concept! And I love seeing the variety and progression in your work. Looking forward to the next posts in the series!
What a wonderful concept! And I love seeing the variety and progression in your work. Looking forward to the next posts in the series!
What a wonderful concept! And I love seeing the variety and progression in your work. Looking forward to the next posts in the series!
What a wonderful concept! And I love seeing the variety and progression in your work. Looking forward to the next posts in the series!
julie, i was curious about that book, so appreciate your opinion. in your face paintings, i like how i can see the faint traces of the face on the page before, while looking directly at face on the page in front of me. well done! 🙂
julie, i was curious about that book, so appreciate your opinion. in your face paintings, i like how i can see the faint traces of the face on the page before, while looking directly at face on the page in front of me. well done! 🙂
julie, i was curious about that book, so appreciate your opinion. in your face paintings, i like how i can see the faint traces of the face on the page before, while looking directly at face on the page in front of me. well done! 🙂
julie, i was curious about that book, so appreciate your opinion. in your face paintings, i like how i can see the faint traces of the face on the page before, while looking directly at face on the page in front of me. well done! 🙂
julie, i was curious about that book, so appreciate your opinion. in your face paintings, i like how i can see the faint traces of the face on the page before, while looking directly at face on the page in front of me. well done! 🙂
Hi Julie,
Coincidentally, I just finished watching your video, “All About Faces” which is now several years old, I think, so your continued practice with faces is timely for me! I am wondering…do you draw/paint out of your imagination, in the moment or from photographs? Maybe you could address your process in one of your continuation posts? I look forward to seeing what else you’ve done! Thanks for sharing–
Denise
Hi Julie,
Coincidentally, I just finished watching your video, “All About Faces” which is now several years old, I think, so your continued practice with faces is timely for me! I am wondering…do you draw/paint out of your imagination, in the moment or from photographs? Maybe you could address your process in one of your continuation posts? I look forward to seeing what else you’ve done! Thanks for sharing–
Denise
Hi Julie,
Coincidentally, I just finished watching your video, “All About Faces” which is now several years old, I think, so your continued practice with faces is timely for me! I am wondering…do you draw/paint out of your imagination, in the moment or from photographs? Maybe you could address your process in one of your continuation posts? I look forward to seeing what else you’ve done! Thanks for sharing–
Denise
Hi Julie,
Coincidentally, I just finished watching your video, “All About Faces” which is now several years old, I think, so your continued practice with faces is timely for me! I am wondering…do you draw/paint out of your imagination, in the moment or from photographs? Maybe you could address your process in one of your continuation posts? I look forward to seeing what else you’ve done! Thanks for sharing–
Denise
Hi Julie,
Coincidentally, I just finished watching your video, “All About Faces” which is now several years old, I think, so your continued practice with faces is timely for me! I am wondering…do you draw/paint out of your imagination, in the moment or from photographs? Maybe you could address your process in one of your continuation posts? I look forward to seeing what else you’ve done! Thanks for sharing–
Denise
Wow! What a project! They’re beautiful, I wonder what your favorite ones look like! I think the one with ball point and watercolor, the 6th portrait, is amazing!
Wow! What a project! They’re beautiful, I wonder what your favorite ones look like! I think the one with ball point and watercolor, the 6th portrait, is amazing!
Wow! What a project! They’re beautiful, I wonder what your favorite ones look like! I think the one with ball point and watercolor, the 6th portrait, is amazing!
Wow! What a project! They’re beautiful, I wonder what your favorite ones look like! I think the one with ball point and watercolor, the 6th portrait, is amazing!
Wow! What a project! They’re beautiful, I wonder what your favorite ones look like! I think the one with ball point and watercolor, the 6th portrait, is amazing!
Oh, and I think onw of them is your mother, isn’t it? 🙂
Oh, and I think onw of them is your mother, isn’t it? 🙂
Oh, and I think onw of them is your mother, isn’t it? 🙂
Oh, and I think onw of them is your mother, isn’t it? 🙂
Oh, and I think onw of them is your mother, isn’t it? 🙂
Well done. It’s quite something to make that commitment and stick to it. The result is obviously improvement and you can’t argue with that.
Well done. It’s quite something to make that commitment and stick to it. The result is obviously improvement and you can’t argue with that.
Well done. It’s quite something to make that commitment and stick to it. The result is obviously improvement and you can’t argue with that.
Well done. It’s quite something to make that commitment and stick to it. The result is obviously improvement and you can’t argue with that.
Well done. It’s quite something to make that commitment and stick to it. The result is obviously improvement and you can’t argue with that.
Thank you for sharing. Wish I could draw faces like that. These make me want to get out my art supplies and try to do them. Believe me they would not look like copies. I can’t draw faces. I was a toddler teacher and my work would look like one of my 3yo drew them. LOL
Thank you for sharing. Wish I could draw faces like that. These make me want to get out my art supplies and try to do them. Believe me they would not look like copies. I can’t draw faces. I was a toddler teacher and my work would look like one of my 3yo drew them. LOL
Thank you for sharing. Wish I could draw faces like that. These make me want to get out my art supplies and try to do them. Believe me they would not look like copies. I can’t draw faces. I was a toddler teacher and my work would look like one of my 3yo drew them. LOL
Thank you for sharing. Wish I could draw faces like that. These make me want to get out my art supplies and try to do them. Believe me they would not look like copies. I can’t draw faces. I was a toddler teacher and my work would look like one of my 3yo drew them. LOL
Thank you for sharing. Wish I could draw faces like that. These make me want to get out my art supplies and try to do them. Believe me they would not look like copies. I can’t draw faces. I was a toddler teacher and my work would look like one of my 3yo drew them. LOL
Thank you for not only showing your favourites. Having said that – wouldn’t I be happy to have to show something of even remotely the quality of your first set!
Thank you for not only showing your favourites. Having said that – wouldn’t I be happy to have to show something of even remotely the quality of your first set!
Thank you for not only showing your favourites. Having said that – wouldn’t I be happy to have to show something of even remotely the quality of your first set!
Thank you for not only showing your favourites. Having said that – wouldn’t I be happy to have to show something of even remotely the quality of your first set!
Thank you for not only showing your favourites. Having said that – wouldn’t I be happy to have to show something of even remotely the quality of your first set!
Love the title of that book! Thank you for sharing your least favorite. I think they are amazing. You’re artwork is so inspiring!
Love the title of that book! Thank you for sharing your least favorite. I think they are amazing. You’re artwork is so inspiring!
Love the title of that book! Thank you for sharing your least favorite. I think they are amazing. You’re artwork is so inspiring!
Love the title of that book! Thank you for sharing your least favorite. I think they are amazing. You’re artwork is so inspiring!
Love the title of that book! Thank you for sharing your least favorite. I think they are amazing. You’re artwork is so inspiring!
Thanks for sharing your adventures. I always enjoy your posts and have all your videos. I just love he way you colored the planes of the face in your “Faces” video. I find that exercise very helpful in my own practice. Color always intimidates me. When you do these drawings, do you look at a picture of a face as a guide, or, do you draw what you are feeling?
Thanks for sharing your adventures. I always enjoy your posts and have all your videos. I just love he way you colored the planes of the face in your “Faces” video. I find that exercise very helpful in my own practice. Color always intimidates me. When you do these drawings, do you look at a picture of a face as a guide, or, do you draw what you are feeling?
Thanks for sharing your adventures. I always enjoy your posts and have all your videos. I just love he way you colored the planes of the face in your “Faces” video. I find that exercise very helpful in my own practice. Color always intimidates me. When you do these drawings, do you look at a picture of a face as a guide, or, do you draw what you are feeling?
Thanks for sharing your adventures. I always enjoy your posts and have all your videos. I just love he way you colored the planes of the face in your “Faces” video. I find that exercise very helpful in my own practice. Color always intimidates me. When you do these drawings, do you look at a picture of a face as a guide, or, do you draw what you are feeling?
Thanks for sharing your adventures. I always enjoy your posts and have all your videos. I just love he way you colored the planes of the face in your “Faces” video. I find that exercise very helpful in my own practice. Color always intimidates me. When you do these drawings, do you look at a picture of a face as a guide, or, do you draw what you are feeling?
Julie, These are lovely….so varied and uniquely themselves, just like real people. Leslie
Julie, These are lovely….so varied and uniquely themselves, just like real people. Leslie
Julie, These are lovely….so varied and uniquely themselves, just like real people. Leslie
Julie, These are lovely….so varied and uniquely themselves, just like real people. Leslie
Julie, These are lovely….so varied and uniquely themselves, just like real people. Leslie
Both. I usually look at a picture as a guide, but the style is based on how Im feeling.
Both. I usually look at a picture as a guide, but the style is based on how Im feeling.
Both. I usually look at a picture as a guide, but the style is based on how Im feeling.
Both. I usually look at a picture as a guide, but the style is based on how Im feeling.
Both. I usually look at a picture as a guide, but the style is based on how Im feeling.
These were all drawn from photographs.
These were all drawn from photographs.
These were all drawn from photographs.
These were all drawn from photographs.
These were all drawn from photographs.
Regular brush. 🙂
Regular brush. 🙂
Regular brush. 🙂
Regular brush. 🙂
Regular brush. 🙂
Theyre all drawn from photographs.
Theyre all drawn from photographs.
Theyre all drawn from photographs.
Theyre all drawn from photographs.
Theyre all drawn from photographs.