Homeless graphite study Homel

Homeless

Getting ready for many days of rain - been 21 days since it rained here, so a little precipitation and cooler weather will be much appreciated.   I also finished top dressing my yard, hoping it gives it a kick to fill in as it really didn't do well over the winter.

I had to do blood work yesterday so was reading several small articles about returning veterans.   So many just can't readjust, so much guilt and fear.  So many are homeless and the suicide rate is at an alarming daily amount.  I had pulled this reference because I loved that face, all the lines tell such a story.  I had my starting point.

I wanted to try an experiment, actually several, in this piece.   First this is a very large head - 14"x17" on Bristol paper.  Knew I wanted to work with graphite, so wanted that smooth surface.  I started with yellow and blue underpainting of highlighter markers.  Didn't work too well, way too bright and graphite couldn't tone it down successfully.  Now that smooth paper became a detriment.  So that kick started me into trying to combine either graphite or charcoal with gesso (both clear and white).  Then I wondered if you could work with clear gesso as it gives a bit more texture than the traditional white.   So I was off and running.    

I ended up calling this Homeless, although was I also thinking Soul's Windows - what do you think?

I am going to try using the clear gesso again but with pastels maybe, but you do really get texture.  I do like the way you can get gray tones between the graphite/charcoal and regular gesso. 

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.