Photomorphic Process

GEORGE HARRISON, August 2011

Morphing is a special effect in motion pictures and animations that changes one image into another, different image.

Duke gets drawn outdoors on the deck, July 2011.

I have developed what I call a "Photomorphic Process" for turning a photo into a pencil sketch. It involves an accurate outline, image magnification on my computer, much staring and then careful shading. The process can take a week to three weeks, depending on the subject and condition of the original picture.

George's face is actually two faces, from two distinct photos.

The finished sketches can be seen in various blogs on this web site.  I like to take pictures of the works in progress as they come to life.  The practical reason for this is to see any flaws to be addressed. But people seem to like watching the process.  Here are a few examples:

Let's have a hand for Aretha Franklin.

Bill Nelson is about ready to have a hand on a neck.

Eyes first, hands last. That's how these things go.  If the eyes and nose are wrong, everything else is off, so why continue?  Hands are last because they are the most difficult. If I can avoid drawing a hand, I will.

Sammy and Frank have a smoke as they await Dino.

Sometimes I take a measure. Duke played several.

Human hair is more difficult than dog hair, unless you're a vacuum cleaner.

The shading is accomplished with the aid of two or three different-type pencils, with lighter (hard) to darker (soft) leads, A rubbing stick (or finger, or Q-tip) then comes into play to smooth out the rough edges.

Eyes and noses first.

Here you can see the outline of Hank's guitar on what will be his lap.

The cool thing about The Photomorphic Process is how I can use it to combine two or three images into one: Aretha's hair and hand are from two photos.  Duke Ellington's face is from three. If the original image is lacking an element, I can piece new ones in.

Johnny issues the artist a challenge. Challenge accepted.

The pencils are nothing special: Just regular school supply sticks, and especially cheap Dollar General pencils.  I break them by the dozens, so why pay more? I have an old-school "school" desk pencil sharpener for keeping them sharp. Grind, grind, grind!

Hair, before it looks like hair.

A good snapshot makes a good sketch. But even a bad one can be saved with a little sleight of hand (techniques used by a magician to manipulate objects).  This is where the ability to scan a photo and blow it up becomes handy.

"Sisters" outline, and original snapshot.

"Sisters" finished.

I enjoy this work immensely, especially when the lines fill in and flesh out into a face, hand or body. it's not magic, but I try to make it entertainment. Can I put something together for you?

To inquire about original artwork, willstom01@gmail.com or hankbonesman@embarqmail.com

And remember, if it's in focus, it'll work better.