Poetry / Sketch

After Dark. (Sketch/Quatrain)

Cheemnonso45 Comments
Graphite rendition of Ninõ.

Sketchbook: Bienfang Bristol Vellum paper

Media: STÆDTLER graphite pencils

Earlier this year, I indicated that the theme of my portrait sketches in 2021 would exude more expressions/emotions with some interludes pending striking inspirations, and my recent study seems to suggest we are on the right track.

Like always, I came across my recent portrait study on Pinterest, all monochromatic, and the wisest option was to approach this drawing using graphite pencils on a vellum surface. What particular piqued my interest in this study was my long-dreaded fear of going too dark in shading and drawing drops of water. I found this crying child or Ninõ (as dubbed by Pedro Luis Raota, the actual photographer, in 1970) encapsulating all I have always feared in drawing; thus, I decided to take on the challenge.

Initially, things went smooth, but I had not even gotten to the teardrops and my 8B pencils were already toast because of the number of dark areas I had to cover; however, I had to improvise with my other pencil grades.

Although likeness suffered a bit, one key takeaway from the drawing was that the bigger the size, the better the details you capture in your portraits, so these enabled shading the teardrops fairly easy.

Overall, I was somewhat pleased with the drawing, if, for anything, its successful completion and I look forward to taking on more expressive portraits before the year runs out.

Lastly, do imbibe this quatrain I wrote as inspired by the drawing, and take it with you as you enjoy your lovely days ahead. Cheers!

Though the dark’s mouth may spew sorrow,

with our limbs caught ‘tween its jaws of pain,

always remember there is a dance tomorrow,

where our teardrops elope with the rain.

Cheemnonso

45 thoughts on “After Dark. (Sketch/Quatrain)”

  1. So Amazing!! Both- the poem and the sketch.

    I especially love the teary/damp effect in the eyes, it almost looks 3 dimensional and comes out so naturally.

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  18. Good Lord, Cheemnonso! I think what mostly blows me away about Your art is that in EVERY SINGLE piece I feel the emotion of their subject. Like I can see their soul. Your technical gifts are mindblowing….and then that element is layered throughout. This broke my heart so deeply. Knowing it’s a picture You found on Pinterest didn’t matter. I’m there. Full stop. End of story. Bravo!!! Thank You. 💕

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  21. Tiny fists clench, then unfurl in a silent plea,
    a world once safe now shattered, a symphony gone.
    Fat tears roll unchecked, tracing paths on his flushed cheek,
    eyes wide with a depth of sorrow words cannot speak.

    This portrait breaks my heart. The child’s pain seems to be mine. It’s so real. I salute you.

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