Portraits in Progress
Greg's portraits have almost always been created through the same process. Looking at photographs rather than live subjects, he would start with a blank piece of 8.5 x 11 plain white paper. Using regular pencils, a kneaded eraser & a ruler, he slowly but surely focuses on the darkest parts of the portrait, gradually moves to the lightest parts & then draws the eyes last. He typically spent between 25 and 60 hours on each portrait (They could have been completed in less time, but he intentionally did them in a slow, methodical process). Here (below) are two examples of portraits through various stages of progress: U.S. Senator John McCain & South African musician Vusi Mahlasela. Click on the first image (the initial blank piece of paper) to start the gallery to watch the progression & to see captions indicating how many hours had elapsed at that point in the drawing process.
(Side note: In advance, before anyone asks about the Senator McCain portrait, Greg's art is completely non-partisan. He drew President Obama, too -- as well as many Americans who are not involved in politics at all. And, for that matter, many people -- like Mahlasela -- who are not American)
(Side note: In advance, before anyone asks about the Senator McCain portrait, Greg's art is completely non-partisan. He drew President Obama, too -- as well as many Americans who are not involved in politics at all. And, for that matter, many people -- like Mahlasela -- who are not American)
