Time-Tested: 120
Another Saturday, and another voyage into the unknown as I get a little further acquainted with the brave new world, Reddit, moreover Reddit Gets Drawn. I like the idea of fashioning it to become the basis of a weekly challenge of sorts, although knowing me now I’ve said that I’ll probably never go there again… I’ll try me best!
I’ve always been slightly curious of just how long it seems to take me to make a half-decent portrait, even though I know that ultimately matters very little. But seeing others knock superior stuff out in sometimes under ninety minutes, I just like the idea of someday being that efficient. On that vein, I’ve begun using these images to pit my wits against the clock – this was done under a firm two-hour limit. It probably shows, considering most of my other portraits unless otherwise mentioned generally consume more than double that, if not even longer. Our voluntary subject looks a good few years older than I’d estimate he is going by the photograph, thanks to the shading being very, um, shady in places – such smooth skin, and yet so apparently hard to render! I think it was a combination of going a little quicker than I needed with the time limit in mind, and generally having a touch of the ‘off day’ – I wouldn’t say I’m pleased with it, but I got more done than I thought I would. I realise now just how much of that work time is spent fiddling, tidying up and generally losing the will to live!
Tick tock. The presence of the time limit was a bit of a perk as it encouraged me to not to get distracted, as I always do. Encroaching deadlines often have that effect, don’t they, much as fear them. If I’m feeling brave, maybe I’ll try 60 minutes next Saturday and see how I get on. The countdown starts now!
jaywalks 
Hi Jacob, I see a sporter, a kind looking man, but determind to reach his goal. I think you did great, and setting yourself to a timelimit, because others can draw this kind of portraits in 90 min. You are you, please be loyal with yourself and don’t reflect your drawing, in time, with others. If I were you, I would choose to be yourself, but hey, who am I to say 🙂
I like the drawing, thanks and have a great weekend
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I’m glad you like it, Geke. Mm, I see a sweet, athletic character aswell. The latter’s surely down to the singlet, though I have vests and I’m the last person in the world to be labelled ‘athletic’!
The time it takes me to make a picture is not something that bothers or worries me in any way. They take as long as they take; my birthday Freddie, for example, took several days. I’d just like to grow more efficient as an artist, and speeding up workflow without compromising quality is central to that. It will come with practices like this, and less dawdling!
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I was not refering to you, as the figure you draw, but in a way a time limit can help or might block you. I think a artist is never completly happy with his/her work they will always see things they could have done better. Good Night and a great Sunday 🙂
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That’s very true, and another vindication of deadlines and further work. We can keep moving on and not dwell on such artworks!
Night night – have a great Sunday and indeed a great week. Last full week of September… it’s nearly Christmas!
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Please let Christmas stay away forever, I hate those days and being more lonely as the rest of the year. Good Night ❤
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Yes, I was remarking more with exasperation at how quickly the year is disappearing than excitement – I don’t like Christmas much either, for similar reasons. You’ll have to come here more often in December and we can forget it’s even happening!
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I wold like to come over, but I’m not in the same country, and to avoid wrong conclusions from other followers of your blog,can you please write me a pm, with more details because I don’t live in the UK. Thanks it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who hate those so called Happy Holidays.
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Oh, I know that – I was talking about coming to this blog rather than the UK 😛 Maybe I wasn’t crystal clear, sorry.
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Yes, I didn’t understand it, what you ment, but now I kmow and I will. or be gone the last 2 weeks of December. ❤
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He’s a beaut for sure! (L)
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Ha, yes, there is quite a handsome, ‘innocent’ appeal coming from it. It’s a really nice photograph, I think. Thanks for dropping by!
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Interesting, I was reading few times with my poor English…. but I have feeling I found very interesting things. Your drawing is beautiful. I really love it. I wish, I will draw better. I am just learning – pencil & paper… Camilla
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I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s my poor English that’s causing problems Camilla!
Thanks so much about the drawing. I was a little unsure as I made it so quickly in comparison to my others, but glad people have written kindly of it. Just to have to wait and see what the subject himself thinks of it! Eeek! Nerve-wracking.
Great stuff! Perhaps you should have a look online for some tutorials, when you have some spare time. There are so many useful lessons out there, even just on YouTube and the like.
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Sorry Jacob, I was writing about my poor English. It’s really poor. I am from Europe and my language is totally different. I try learn perfect English, but my business take me a lots of time. I am working 7 days a week. All my free time is Freddie. I plan move my blog to another level. In WordPress is one beautiful blog and I want my blog will be like this one. Look at this blog http://www.indiahicks.com/ it’s the best what I knew. I want something similar. I love this blog so much, it is not just the design but also the content. Write me your opinion, what you think… I tried some lessons about drawing – I love black and white, I love just pencil and peace of blank paper. Same about photos – black and white are more interesting, I love to play with each photo. It’s me Camilla, my friend say me Sassy Girl.
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I know plenty of people whose first language is English that speak less coherently than you, so please don’t fret about that!
That’s a cool site, and indeed an interesting layout. I could see it working well if you wanted something like that.
Yes, black and white photography can be quite charming and inordinately glamorous. Colour has its place, of course, but black and white can certainly play to the imagination more. Thanks, Camilla!
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Thanks Jacob ❤
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I’m so jealous at how great you are at portraits!! This is awesome!! 😃
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Thanks, Charlie! We (that is, the bun and I) appreciate your kind and encouraging comments. It’s nothing other than two years of having little else to do and doing portraits to death that’s got me to this level. My, has it been a hoot!
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See you picked another one you fancy didn’t you? It looks great though! I can see you rushing around to get it done aha.
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Tsk, will you stop giving people the wrong impression of me, Lee? You don’t even know me that well! I do not only draw people I have the hots for, else, of course, the site would just be a collection of Lee Hesketh drawings… I do not think it appropriate for you to lower the tone of this driven and highly serious artistic forum in such a way.
It wasn’t actually that much of a rush, as I’d progressed well into the fiddling stage as the time ran out, so just left it as is. I did however have the Countdown clock playing in my head throughout the entire exercise. It was intense!
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PMSL! Blow me down, I didn’t know you felt that way. I’m sorry Jay. I feel very told off now, (not!)
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I just… incorrigible would be an understatement. You’re such a tyke!
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Compliment!!
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Hi Jacob – your portraits are fantastic. I see some familiar names commenting. I’ll need to spend some time now looking at your many posts. Thanks for stopping by my blog, too.
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Likewise thank you, Sharon, for your lovely comment. Ha, yes, you have one Mr O’Shields to blame (sort of) for being stuck with me; I saw your comments on his site and thought I’d check your work out. Glad to have done so!
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Ha! Charlie has a way of pulling us all together!
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Haha, he certainly does!
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