Large Portraits Of James Hetfield (Metallica)

672 said:

Oh my god I can't believe no one has posted here yet. Your artwork is insane. I love the way you use your mediums, and keep your sketches simple, yet I know they took work.

Did you use watercolour there? Watercolour and pencil?

Click to expand...

Kcar said:

Well, I'm glad that you were the first. A very kind post is always nice!

Thanx fer recognizing that they are more than scribbles, 672! They're totally black and white, begun with a simple blocked in sketch and then gradually built up with varying strengths of diluted ink washes and graphite pencil work. I use a variety of pencils, between 5h - 8b. In the middle sketch, I tore out some offending areas where I'd layered on too much ink...then I glued it over a piece of dark grey acid-free mattboard. It's my favorite of the 3.

All of the papers that I use are either hot or cold-pressed Arches. From the smooth refined bond to the 300-lb, deckled edged watercolor paper (used here). They're made from cotton or linnen and are 100% acid free. Also tough as nails!


I made a post in your thread a few minutes ago - a very bold, lively style you have!

Click to expand...

672 said:

I usually use acid-free sketchbook paper, also, but I don't go beyond that. You put more effort into your artwork than I have in a very long time. <3

You're very creative in your style, though I could never rip off a piece of my work, even if I hated it, and then draw over it. But I suppose in your work, it would make lots more sense. It's that part over the shirt next to his arm, right? Where the designs on the shirt take place?

I love using 4B, 5B, 2B and 6B pencils in my sketches, but for certain, starting points, like outlines and specifics, I use a normal lead pencil with 0.5mm lead. That's mostly for any anime drawings I do, though, because of the hair and eyes.

I'd love to see more of your work, sir! And thank you for your kind compliments.

Click to expand...

Kcar said:

That genderless username is a bit confusing - I'm actually a chic.

The drawing that I'm refering to, with the tears, is the one where he's sitting cross-legged. Can you see the jagged white lines over the darker background? I figure if the drawing is already fucked up, what can it hurt to experiment? A mistake is sometimes the gateway to new avenues of thought. And these papers are so thick, that tearing is potentially a good look for the drawing. It actually becomes part of the drawing...part of the design. It's meant to show.


Yes, the B pencils, in all strengths, are a real boon to drawing. Post more anime!! Yours is different from most that I've seen.

And you're welcome!

Click to expand...

672 said:

Eak! Sorry about the gender mixup. I suppose my whole 672 isn't extremely gender referring either, is it? ~snug~

And yah, well duh of course that one with the big gashes through the middle! I'm sorry but I really thought that was an experimental piece. ~laughs herself silly~ I just noticed a bit of discolouration in the other one and made a mistake. That and I haven't slept in over 24 hrs. Please forgive me.

See. I completely thought that was part of the artwork. Makes it that much more nice to look at. <3

And B pencils totally own H pencils. ~squee~

~posts more piktures now~

Click to expand...

cantdog said:

More sound work here, Kcar. Thank you!

Click to expand...

Halo_n_horns said:

The Hetfields are great, especially since they're of him prior to selling out to the all mighty dollar. What other works do have for us to oogle over???

Click to expand...

EHawkins said:

Hi!

*waves*

Looking at these has made me realize how long it's been since I've listened to any Metallica

Now I feel compelled to find some and break it out!

I like the feel of these studies of Hetfield. They're very casual and natural

How did you come to have him as a subject of your art?

Click to expand...

Kcar said:

I bonded emotionally with the band in 1988 when AJFA came out. When I saw the One videos I was hooked for life. James has been my hero for a long time. The reason that I waited untill 2003 to draw these is because I was so inspired by his complete recovery from his old rage to his newfound love for his wife, and people around him. He finally began to respect all of those who loved him. His childhood was similar to mine, and my emotional growth was much the same...tho I'm 8 yrs his senior. My favorite album by them is AJFA, but I will always have a soft spot for the band...their recent full Master Of Puppets concerts were freakin AMAZING. They played the entire album in the order it was written, note for note...long-versions and all...all in one night, and did this several times in Europe last yr. It was mind-blowing! Old as they are, they played it without a single mistake, and James' voice was just perfect...he can't sing with that growl anymore, but he made an exception for these few shows.

I mailed him these drawings, as well as a few more - all 2'x3'. They made for a big package. 0_0


Thankyou too, E! That looser line is new for me...only been doing that for 3 yrs, now.

Click to expand...