Category: Portraits

2014, Portraits

Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy

Miss Escapist

“There’s something inside me
And I know it’s good, I’m not evil”

Arch Enemy – You Will Know My Name

Though still traumatized by my Tarja portrait, I decided it was time for another attempt of drawing faces. It wasn’t so very hard too choose a reference as I had wanted to draw Alissa White-Gluz for quite a long time. Not only because I really enjoy her music but also because she makes such a good portrait reference. I mean…are there any bad pictures of her? I ended up choosing a photo where she looked directly into the camera so I wouldn’t have to deal with akward perspectives again. And it turned out to be the right decission as I had way less difficulties when drawing. Even though I drew most of it on the train! After finishing the portrait I spontaneously added a bit of colour to the hair. There’s just no Alissa without colourful hair.

Paper size: A4

Materials: Faber Castell blacklead and coloured pencils

Time: approx. 5 hours

Reference photo used for the drawing was taken by: Patric Ullaeus

2014, Portraits

Elf – A Face Study

Miss Escapist

“Songs as a seduction of sirens
The elf-folk is calling me”

Nightwish – Elvenpath

This particular drawing was an artwork that I only created because my best friend had asked me to do so. I still felt quite insecure drawing portraits, especially without a reference. Yeah…the things we do for friends. She wanted an elven portrait so she got one.

Paper size: A4

Materials: Faber Castell blacklead pencils

Time: approx. 2,5 hours

2014, Portraits

Tarja Turunen of Nightwish

Miss Escapist

“Think of me long enough to make a memory, come bless the child one more time”

Nightwish – Bless The Child

Part 2 of my Nightwish inspired drawing obsession in spring 2014.

I drew this portrait of Nightwish’s former vocalist Tarja Turunen only a few weeks after I had finished the Tuomas portrait. I still remember struggling a lot with this drawing. Tarja’s face and the perspective really drove me crazy as I had nearly no drawing experience. Nowadays I think that this is probably the crappiest thing that I’ve ever created but I wanted to include it in here nevertheless.

I tend to be a very critical person and always look for things to improve in my drawings. That’s not necessarily bad but from time to time this habit prevents me from seeing the good things in my art. So this Tarja portrait is an important reminder for me that I shouldn’t be too critical with myself and that I’ve actually achieved a lot since I started drawing.

Paper size: A4

Materials: Faber Castell blacklead pencils, charcoal

Time: approx. 4 hours

2014, Portraits

Tuomas Holopainen of Nightwish

Miss Escapist

“Virgin snow beneath my feet
Painting the world in white 
I tread the way and lose myself into a tale”

Nightwish – Escapist

How it all began…

Back on a sunny day in 2014 I sat on my balcony, enjoyed the sun and listened to my favourite band Nightwish. I suddenly felt the urge to create something that was dedicated to them – as a sort of tribute. So I got myself a sheet of paper and a few pencils. I quickly decided that my darwing should be a portrait of Tuomas – as he was the bands founder, composer and mastermind. I wasnt really sure how to begin as I had rarely ever drawn portraits before. I started scribbling nevertheless and ended up with this.

That portrait had started a fire in me that still keeps burning today and I got strangely “obsessed” with drawing my favourite musicians.

Paper size: A4

Materials: Faber Castell blacklead pencils, charcoal

Time: approx. 4 hours