Jessica Crabtree

My latest commission – precious little Scarlett was born January 10. The drawing is 8×10 done in 2H & 2B graphite with a tortillion (blending stump). Click the photo to enlarge.

My latest sketch: mostly soft charcoal, some graphite. The original photo was taken by Edward Curtis – and yes, she is smiling!

Click for larger view

See also: Edward Curtis and Smiling Indians

January 6, 1832: Birth of French illustrator & engraver Gustave Dore

Dore was a French illustrator whose engravings of famous literature have become so pervasive, they are almost inseparable from the works they depict. For generations they were the benchmark in capturing the grandeur and mystery of epics, religious writings, poetry and even fairy tales. The dark, expansive, highly detailed look of his engravings is instantly recognizable.

He was extremely prolific, producing sometimes hundreds of illustrations per work – but his skill and imaginative style was remarkably consistent. His most famous works include the complete illustrated edition of the 1866 English Bible; Don Quixote, The Idylls of the King, and the epics of Milton and Dante; and an anthology of fairy tales.

He also published a famous collection of caricatures.

Wikipedia: Gustave Dore

WikiPaintings: Gustave Dore

“Cloud Bird,” or Okuwa Tsire in Tewa. Photo by Edward Curtis c.1905 at the San Ildefonso pueblo. 8×10 charcoal (4b & 6b) and graphite. (Click for full-size view.)

An Irish swan from a gorgeous photo taken by Stephen Heron on Flickr. Click to see it close up. I used a 6b charcoal blended with a tortillion to make the backdrop; the swan is done primarily in graphite and the water with a combination of both graphite and charcoals. Here’s a shot from the halfway point:

I did this fun little guy in graphite over the weekend. Thanks to Larry Johnson on Flickr for the great photograph.

An impromptu caricature sketch of Hogarth’s Servants (more of a doodle, actually). The painting has always been one of my favorites so I couldn’t resist tossing this up in honor of Hogarth’s birthday:

Another portrait of Braxton, also 8×10 2b graphite.