Portraiture is tuff enuff and admittedly, I struggle with catching a likeness of the subject at hand. Even when I pose someone, who can hold still, and I have loads of time, I just as often run right into the ditch. I find it amusing that given an unaware subject (save the nudes scattered throughout) who may fidget, and leave at any moment, I have just as much a chance of capturing something essential about that person as I might were I to set up ideal conditions for portraying that sitter  as others might recognize them. So here is a wall of attempts to see what’s recognizable from rear and oblique views, when the person gives me little to work with. Clothing and posture may at times hinder or help convey the personality of the subject.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
These sketches, done in public, often in transit, where drawn on a variety of papers – Utrecht and Cachet toned papers, Clairefontaine, and a preponderance of various ledger books. Michael Kalman has turned me onto the new series of sketchbooks by Stillman & Birn.  Drawn with a variety of inks from several fountain pen inks – Iroshizuku, Platinum Carbon, Noodler’s, Diamine,  Calli, to ballpoint (especially the Bic Bold 1.6mm, also like the Pilot Ageless), gel (Uniball Impact RT)  and rollerball pens. I make heavy use of  Pitt Artist Pens. The fountain pens I enjoy working with are – Pelikan 115, Pelikano Junior, Pelikan M205 Duo, Namiki Vanishing Point, Lamy Studio, Lamy Safari, Graf vov Faber Guilloche, Graf von Faber Classic, Faber-Castell Coconut Ambition. Occasionally I like using a bristle brush pen such as the Pentel and a couple made by Kuretake and Kaimei. Not to be forgotten is my darling little Ugly Duckling, the grease pencil.
You make it look so darned easy to capture a personality even from behind or to the side. Always enjoyable to look through your sketches.
Thank you Marco.
I thought I was the only one who had way too many drawings of the backs of people’s heads in coffee shops. You have captured the personalities so well. By the way, have you found a suitable waterproof ink for fountain pens? I got a Lamy Safari from Santa, but the bulletproof noodlers are far from bulletproof for me. Best regards!
Jennifer, the fountain pen ink most suitable, from my experience, to standing up to overwork with other inks and watercolor is Platinum Carbon. I haven’t found a retail source nearby so I order the stuff online. Noodler’s claim is that it will be waterproof on cellulose papers only. Fine if that’s all one uses but that’s very limiting in my world. Also, Noodler’s is problematic in clogging fp feeds. Mind you, I do like and use some of their inks but they’re not so dependable with wp. Needs very regular flushing of your pens. I wouldn’t use it in expensive pens. You should clean your pens regularly anyway. The inks used in Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens stand up to watercolor. Look at Nina Johansson’s site(link below), she combines fp ink and watercolor beautifully.
Thank you so much! That is very helpful information. This is a “starter” fountain pen for me, but I do so love the Pitt pens…I may end up going back to them! Thanks again!
Got the ink, put into pen = SUCCESS! Thanks for your help!!
Cheers!