KING

For the last three years, I've wanted to take the MLK holiday and visit the King Center and birth home here in Atlanta. I had been once when I was 8 years old. Unfortunately, I did not remember too much from the experience. Therefore, I wanted to make that happen today and I'm looking forward to it. In many ways, I would not be here typing this post if it were not for Dr. King, the Civil Rights Movement and others both nameless and renowned in the span of over 400 years prior and through the present.

I also felt compelled to do a painting of Dr. King (above) yesterday afternoon. It was perhaps in haste but I was strongly committed to doing so by Dr. King's birthday today. Here are some process shots:

I started with a 16"x20" illustration board with grayed gesso (left). Once dry, I projected a small rough onto the board and tightened the pencils.















Next, I airbrushed a golden tone with colored ink (left). This also 'locked' the pencils underneath.

















Then, I filled the outside of the portrait with a mixture of blue/black acrylics (left). I also take the opportunity to tighten the edges of the portrait that are adjacent to the black fill.
















Once the black/blue fill was dry, I painted green midtones and shadows with acrylics (left). Why green? Because it complimented the golden tone and the blue in the fill. Next, highlights were added with white Prismacolor pencil. And then, it was done.










Overall, I didn't capture as much of the likeness as I wanted to. Then again, this painting was done very quickly and I just wanted to get my feeling on the canvas.

If you are able, please take some time today to give at least a moment to Dr. King's memory.

Thank you.