Ten Year Old Boy

Ten Year Old Boy, Pastel Pencil on Strathmore Paper
Size 40cm x 30cm (mount size 50cm x 40cm)

I took the photograph for this close to a wall away from direct sunlight. It means there are no harsh shadows (or squinting) but that the shade is harder to find. Subtle shading can be quite hard to render and if completely absent will make the features look flat. It is important to include just enough darks to give shape to the face and to include that all important shine in the hair.

Hair reflects light better than skin can, so there will always be a lot of contrast in the hair. Even in this short crop you can see how the blocking of light in the hair shapes the head. I do seem to have a bit of an obsession with hair don't I?

For more of my portraits or to commission a painting, see my website wendybooth.co.uk or keep abreast of my portraits on Facebook.