Read about Fake Dane’s request to Jana to make his portrait on the Every Day Matters Yahoo Group and off I went to Jana’s to check it out. She’d mentioned that there was an invite to join in. It looked tough and I thought that I’d give it a miss. But the thing about digests is that when the next person jumps on board you get to read about it again and then the next. I went and checked out the photo references on his blog. This time I decided to give it a go. Here’s my version. 😀 I’m writing asking for one in return and I hope he will oblige. Shall update this post when I hear from him.
Update: Mar 28, 2007 : I heard from Fake Dane earlier today and he liked my version too. 😀 Here’s the link to the post on his blog. He dabbles in photography, film and not drawing as so has decided to give making mine a miss 😀 He’s looking out for more so if you’re interested download one of his photo references from the links above and give it a go.
Quite a few people have asked me about these “digital scratchboards”. I’ve put down my process below. I have to admit that I haven’t used a scratchboard IRL as I haven’t located one in the art shops here.
1. I’ve used Art Rage 2 to make this and the earlier digital scratchboards.
2. The first step was to create a template for the background. I used the roller tool set at 34%. Black paint was applied with horizontal strokes overlapping slightly followed by similar vertical strokes. This is the process I follow for applying gesso on canvas.
3. With this one I made a slight variation. After saving a copy with a new name I added another layer and made a rough sketch with a red marker tool. This stood out very well against the black background and also would not interfere with the white lines I was going to erase.
4. I then went back to the original layer and used the eraser tool at 1% width to erase using the red lines as reference.
5. mistakes were filled in with the roller tool set at 1%. the only problem was that it looked darker than the shade made with the larger roller tool.
6. for the background the eraser tool was changed to 8%. In retrospect i think I would’ve liked the lines to be spaced out more.
Few thoughts for the next attempt.
to check out some scratchboard samples on the web to see how shading negatively is handled.
to draw out a value scale of 3 or 5 prior to starting the drawing. this area could certainly take a lot of improving 😀
to add another layer for making the background.
If you have any other suggestions or advice please do leave me a comment.
Maya 
Love your style on this one– very evocative and original!
It really does look like him!! Love the different use of art supplies.
thank you Madame India and Teri 😀 i havent made this on a scratchboard. I’ve used Art Rage to make a digital one.
I’m so glad you took the leap and did it too. It’s amazing seeing how totally different each of us did him. I don’t think you’ll get a portrait in exchange from him though as he’s not an artist. But I’d be interested in doing a portrait swap with you if you’d like. Did you do this with real scratchboard or digitally? It’s very interesting and definitely looks like him.
Wow – I love this technique – quite interesting – now I think I have to try this guy.
Hi Jana and thank you 😀 That’s what made me decide to jump in seeing the different versions and anticipating the ones that will get made. I would love to do a portrait swap with you! This is digital and has been made in Art Rage 2.
Thank you Sandy. Hope to see one from you soon.
Oh wow, this is fantastic! What an amazing portrait, I love the white on black w/ the different width strokes. Very cool!
wow!!! and WOW!!! I have to say this is a masterpiece!!! You have nailed it! This is wonderful and so artistic and so perfect!!!! It does not look like digital drawing at all. more like a screen pritn or something like that, I don’t know the exact term…. Youmust know…
You transfer your style to whichever media you use, and the results are always woderful. This ad teh drawing below are just great. I will always come by and look at your art. Tell me, how are artists perceived in India? What are the venues they can use to express their art, like yours, which is not culturally oriented but very modern and natural?? I enjoy your talents, which are so exquisite.
Thank you laserone. I was thinking that maybe I should’ve varied the strokes in the background more or not added them at all. shall try out one or two more versions soon.
Thank you Yari/Heliocentric for the compliments. 😀 It could be a linocut or silk screen or scratchboard art. I’ve used a lino once when i was about 12 and have recently acquired some boards to try it out once more. i like trying out new methods and mediums but each of those require finding and acquiring additional material. this one came easy as it was digital 😀
Art in India is skyrocketing upwards in terms of demand and price and is available in all kinds of mediums and styles. Unfortunately I havent had contact with artists in India other than seeing their work in art galleries and modern art museums. I have met a few in Dhaka though.