koukla carolyn

My Features, black pitt pen and graphite in kraft paper sketchbook, 2008

November has definitely been my most productive month of the year so far, in terms of how many days I’ve drawn. I’ve done something in my sketchbook for most of the days this month and already I’ve done more sketching than some past months. I’m still working on portraits—here is another self portrait. I really do have beautiful eyes, although they often go crossed on me and they are always covered up by glasses (so no one ever notices them).  I would wear contacts but I am “not a candidate” as my eye doctor puts it. On another note, I have never attempted to do a self portrait with pointillism. It is incredibly slow going with all the constant glances back to the mirror!

I am also trying out some drawings from old family photos. Here is a drawing of my Papou when he graduated from college after WWII. I have left this one unfinished as I did not quite capture the expression correctly. This is already my second attempt and I am trying to decide if I want to try another iteration. I think I would like to get it framed if I ever do it again though, so doing it in my sketchbook is not a very good idea anyway. I do like the sepia ink on the tinted paper so maybe I will hunt around for some brown paper suitable for ink.

Papou upon Graduation, unfinished; sepia pitt pen in kraft paper sketchbook; 2008

Self Portrait with Lipstick; graphite, marker and colored pencil in 9×12 sketchbook; Carolyn Pappas, 2008

Self Portrat, circa 1987; Sepia PITT pen; Carolyn Pappas, 2008

Self portraits are one of the hardest things to draw for me, and I think for most people. It’s hard enough to draw a likeness and drawing yourself often brings up a lot of insecurities about appearance and expectations. I find it strange that this weekend I drew these two self portraits. In fact, I have drawn four in only two months or so. Perhaps it is because I am a free agent again and I want to establish myself as an individual. Another reason is that I am interested in improving my portrait skills and when you don’t have a model, you can always look in the mirror. I am not so sure the reason, but it is definitely a subject I will return to again.

We are like actors in a play. The divine will has assigned us our roles in life without consulting us….Although we can’t control which roles are assigned to us, it must be our business to act our given role as best as we possibly can and to refrain from complaining about it. Wherever you find yourself and in whatever circumstances, give an impeccable performance. If your are supposed to be a reader, read; if you are supposed to be a writer, write. -Epictetus

Self Portrait, 9×12 sketchbook, Carolyn Pappas 2008

Flattering, no; honest, yes. This does look like an odd pose, mainly because I was crunched up on the floor drawing myself in front of a full length mirror. Even though I have a sort of weird look on my face, I have to say that this is one of my better self portraits in terms of likeness and the speed at which I got it done.

I haven’t been in the mood lately to use big, bold colors. Plain pencil is what I am drawn to using these days. I drew this sketch with a B pencil mainly for the skin and using softer pencils later on. I used to work in graphite by smudging the piece to death with paper stumps and tortillions. Nowadays I am finding that shading by hatching is much more my style. I think I have grown comfortable with using lines after working in pen and ink for so long.