A Study a Soap Star

Pencil 3" x 5"

The reference was a soap star, I can't recall the name now. This was a challenge because it is never easy to sketch a person photographed covered in makeup and airbrushed, to illustrate flawless skin.

High contrast lighting and flaws are easier and more interesting to render.

Here I go again, not backing now from a challenge, I grabbed my HB pencils and got to work.

Study of a Fashion Model

Pencil 3" x 5" 

As a Fashion Illustrator, my eye was drawn to this dramatic and striking pose. I wanted to capture the movement of the outfit. Unfortunately, my sketchbook was so small and I didn't plan out the layout of the sketch. So I decide to crop the image and used accent lines to create a dramatic flare.

I miss Fashion Illustration because it was so liberating. When I have more time, I will create fashion drawings on a larger scale.

Study of Joie Lee

Pencil 3"x 5"

Study of Joie Lee

Joie Lee is an actor and sister of the director, Spike Lee. She has appeared in several of his movies including, Do the Right Thing, Crooklyn, and Mo’ Better Blues.

Joie is quite similar to Spike in many ways. Spike challenges society’s view through his films. Joie challenges society’s view through her hair style. Why do you ask did i go towards hair instead of her film work?

Well, because Joie sported her natural hair at a time when the majority of black women wore their straight, especially for camera ready. At that time, various natural hair styles was becoming slowly popular. She stood out whether she meant to or not. Natural or straight? Joie sported the less common hair style, natural! I love various hair textures but I wanted to do a study of this actor’s beautiful hair texture.


It stood out…..different, bold. Joie’s hair texture help to create a unique and wonderful positive and negative space for the background. This was a fun portrait to sketch.

Study of Heavy D

Study of Heavy D

Heavy D is one of my favorite Rappers / Performers. When I use to work in Mt. Vernon , NY, his hometown, I was always hopeful that I would bump into him and said the following,

“I love your work, I appreciate your music. Thank you for being a rapper who’s not afraid to dance, plus I heard that you knew my cousin Mike!"

This picture of this multi talented Rapper is so cool, I decided to sketch him on the diagonal to make him “POP!”.



Just like his music.

Study of Uncle Barney

Pencil 3"x5"

Study of Uncle Barney

What in the world was I thinking? The photo reference was 3”x 5” photo of my family. The photo was damaged. It was a photo of my grandfather’s first and only visit to NYC. It was only of the first photo restoration painting that I completed. My uncle was in the back. It was difficult to make out his features so a magnifying glass was used to make out his features. Thanks to the magnifying glass, I noticed that his eyes were closed. This study, helped painting process. It was extra work but it was worth it. (Note to self: never, never rely on a photo no smaller than 1/4” wide!!) 

Study of Halle Berry

Pencil 3"x5"

 Study of Halle Berry

The off the shoulder pose by Halle Berry.

 At first, I thought oh no! How will I draw her face with that shoulder in the way.

 I got over my slight panic and I worked with it. 

The (diagonal) tilt of her head created a cool play with positive & negative space.

Study of Clint Eastwood

Pencil 3"x5"

Study of Clint Eastwood 

Clint Eastwood has such an expressive face (animated) with the intense stare or glare and the high contrast of black and white was enough for me to start sketching. What I always admired about this actor is his determination to follow his own creative vision instead of trying measure up to everyone else. It paid off because,

 1. When he began in “Hollywood” in his twenties, he was rejected from roles because his Adams Apple was too big, he spoked slowly and his voice was too low.

 2. Early in his career, during breaks on the “set”, he studied the behind the science of production and direction. 

3. His “Spaghetti Westerns” were different from the typical Hollywood standard. 

4. He was one of the few actors who acted, produced and directed their movies.

Study of Grandma “Red”

Pencil 3"x5"

Study of Grandma “Red”

 Grandma “Red” was her name, socializing was her thing!

She would spend most of her time at her neighborhood park, across the street from her building, hours in conversation with friends. 

As the years went on, friends moved, friends died. Grandma began to spend more time in her apartment. This was where I began weekly visits. At the time my job was 10 minutes way from her building.

 She always has been a fan of TV. Her favorite soap was Young & The Restless. Grandma would watch anytime syndicated show but her favorite was The Jamie Foxx Show. She would all ways stated “That Jamie is crazy”. Then she would end it with a belly laugh. I laughed along.

It started with her sitting in the chair in the living room watching t.v. With her hands folded cross the upper stomach during my visits. Then, over the years, when she became weaker, she would be in her bedroom laying down watching TV, hands folded across her upper stomach.

The weekly visits became visits twice a month because I began to work at head start program in Harlem. I always ask if she need anything from the store before my visits. I didn't mind I enjoyed walking. traveling, but more of all,listening her talk.

 Fridays with Grandma Red had became the norm for us. It was easier for me because sometimes I found myself leaving her place late in the evening. Time flew during tv time and deep conversations with Grandma Red.

Study of Tony

Pencil 3"x 5"

Study of Tony

One of the members of the R&B group “Tony! Toni! Tone!” had the most amazing music.The group’s music was infectious and fun. Their Jams were danceable was well as soulful.They were part of the of the New Jack Swing Movement.That hair! I loved it… It was a combo of afro with dread tips. One of the singers is wearing dark shades longish face. That's enough to do a study for me! 

Subway Sketch Series

Sketches pen and ink 3"x5" each

Quick sketches of mass transit is never easy especially the NYC subway. On one hand, you want to study what’s in front of you. On the other hand, you don’t want to “draw” attention to yourself. That would be open invite to the weirdos and wackadoos! 

People reading, standing, day dreaming, sleeping, waiting for their stop in the subway cart. Pushing, shoving, shouting and dancing in the subway. No, I am not kidding, dancing!!!! 

I don’t mind free entertainment, but there’s no room for rolling and swinging around like 

Circus Soleil! 

That it! That the second time his foot almost hit my face!! 

If I get hit by these “Yahoos” that’s it…. It’s on like Donkey Kong! 

I’m going to break dance on their heads! 

It’s never a dull moment in NYC Mass Transit……..wait, wait a minute…what the crap is this??? Now someone’s eating their lunch combo special Chinese take out with a side of fried chicken wings dripping on the side of their pants. That’s it, I am not waiting for the rats to join the Circus Soleil troop….I’m outta here! 

PEACE!