I am frequently hired for my ability to create an accurate straightforward likeness. Portrait work has always been one of my strengths as well as one of my favorite subjects. I love drawing people and am very lucky that on many days my job doesn't feel like a job at all.
I've been wanting to push my portrait illustration further for a quite some time but have (gratefully) been so busy that there has been little time for me to do so. I believe that as an artist, you should always be evolving, expanding and trying new things. I feel like there is so much untapped potential within me just bursting to come forward. Sometimes it's nice have a little breather in between deadlines to focus on coaxing it out.
The first few weeks after the winter holidays are always a little slower for me so I took the opportunity to draw someone who I've been wanting to draw for a while. This is a portrait of the experimental singer and songwriter, Chelsea Wolfe. Her unique sound is mix of (pardon my description) brooding, sludgey metallic drone to floaty, ethereal gothic folk among other things. I took the opportunity to just listen and absorb the music then draw my own interpretation of it.
*Of course, since there is limited reference of her online that I can actually see clearly enough to draw from, I had to use some probably well known photos from numerous photographers. (Thanks guys, whoever you are) See below for close up details.
Close up detail of face
Close up detail of hands and trees.