Elvis drawing number 15 W.I.P

[gordon]

Somebody suggested doing drawing Elvis lessons but as that is vertually impossible I thought I would show you how I do the Elvis drawings I do.
Iuse bristolboard extra smooth paper and 2h,hb grip pencils, i get the drawing /sketch onto the paper then I always start with the eye (dont ask why I have always done this) using circulism method of drawing start with light layers adding more layers on the darker areas. It is easier to darken something too light than to lighten something too dark.
After I have drawn a certain area of his face I go back and recheck the dark areas to see if they need darkening and also the light areasand I also like to get the left side of the drawing done first for obvious reasons (smudging), this is about 15 hours work to get this far

[elvislady]

Really nice drawing thanks for sharing.
elvislady

[john carpenter]

Gordon that is amazing you are a gifted artist. I draw also but i don't take my time that's my biggest problem. I guess i'm in to big of a hurry. Other T.C.B. members show their drawings too, but yours is one of the best i've seen. Like i said before i'm so jealous. LOL

[Diane]

Cool technique Gordon! Very nicely done!

Diane

[SleepyJack]

You are a very talented man Gordon!........Keep it up mah boy!..And thanks for sharing them with us,much appreciated.

[Lonniebealestreet]

Very cool, gordon. Thx for sharing that with us. You do amazing work.

[Tommy]

Thank you so much Gordon, great to see how you draw these. I would love to see this one finished. I really love Elvis in the 50's!

Tommy

[pacer 1966]

amazing drawing gordon and its only half finished..!!
Thanks for describing your method ..I might give that a try..and also get some decent pencils etc..
The detail in the jacket is really good..no wonder its taken up to 15 hours already..

[gordon]

Elvis lady thank you its nice to see we have some lovely lady's amongst the ranks
John Carpenter no need to be jealous I was always trying to rush but have forced myself through practice to slow down and it shows if you look at some of my early work
Diane thank you.
Sleepy jack thank you I will always share with the fans of the King
Lonnie thank you
Tommy thank you I will keep posting until it is complete
Pacer thank you, the jacket believe me was not the hardest part, and you are right about the pencils, you would be amazed at what you can do with the right equipment.

[gordon]

ok I have done another 2-3 hours on this again today, managed to get his other eye done so he can see properly now, I have darkened the eye on his right because I felt it was to light, and also darkened certain areas of the shadow on his coat as I thought this looked too flat, added some shadow on his hairline but these will need darkening later when I get to the dreaded hair. But it is all coming together nicely, should have his face finished by tomorrow, good lord willing

[elvislady]

Look forward to the end product i think it will be brilliant!
elvislady

[gordon]

was working on this till 05.25am this morning so spent another five hours on it managed to finish his face for now but may have to go back again to change the tones when I do the hair which I am leaving till last and I also got his shirt done as well

[Joy]

What an amazing drawing Gordon,you have really worked hard on this.
Love to see the finished product. I would be very proud to own a picture like this,it is so life like. Will you be doing another project like this?

[gordon]

Joy thank you for your comments I would do another later I have other projects on the go at the moment but I always return to drawing Elvis when I get bored with them, so there should be number 17 soon ( I have called my 30 years anniversary tribute drawing number 16)

[Diane]

Well dumb me, I thought you were doing a half picture which is a technique some artist use. It's coming along great Gordon!

Diane

[gordon]

Diane thank you soon be finished

[gordon]

ok here is todays update spent another 2-3 hours on his jacket I had to do about 20 layers on the collar to get the black, I could of used a 6b or higher to achieve this but then I would not of got a smooth finish. the rest of the jacket was not too bad to do ( but why he couldn't wear a normal jacket I dont know). Only the hair to do now which is the bit I dread because if I do it wrong it ruins the whole drawing

[toffe]

Oh Gordon! how wonderfull!

[gordon]

Toffe thank you for your comments and for stopping by

[Albert]

I've seen many Elvis drawings throughout the years, and many/most pictures either succeed to capture the spirit of Elvis' eyes, problems with his nose and of course his lips.

It's amazing that everytime you seem to hit the nail. It's really rare that you can draw him this good.

Thanks for posting pictures of your drawing during the process