Conor O'Brien

I had my first experience with real estate photography over the weekend. I was given the opportunity to explore and photograph a variety of beautiful houses, buildings and landscapes around my local area.

A commissioned portrait of a woman called Eva. The drawing was done for Eva’s daughter, who chose an old, beautiful black and white photograph of her mother for me to reproduce as a drawing. I used graphite pencils on bristol board paper to create a smooth, realistic drawing.

The second work in progress image of my latest commission, Eva. I have now completed the dark hair which contrasts nicely with the lighter tones of the face. After I finish the final section of the drawing, the dark dress at the bottom and the dark hair at the top will frame either side of the lighter, focal point of the drawing – her face – and will create a balance between the tones in the drawing. 

This is the first work in progress image of my latest commission, Eva. When I am drawing portraits, I tend to start with the facial features, in particular the eyes, which really make the portrait come to life. When I am satisfied with the face being rendered to an exact likeness of the photograph, I then work on the rest of the head and the upper body to make it all come together.

A commissioned portrait of a young boy called Diarmuid, which was done using graphite pencils. The drawing was for a work colleague at my previous job, and Diarmuid is his son. I drew from a nursery school photograph taken of Diarmuid at the age of three.

I’ve had a very busy week, but eventually found a few hours to make some progress in my latest commission, Diarmuid. I completed half of his jumper, which really starts to balance the drawing through the nice contrast with his lighter toned face. This week I was working in and preparing for the new exhibition, Stray by Paul Gaffney , in Belfast Exposed gallery.

In my previous work in progress update I had drawn Diarmuid’s face, I have now drawn his hair to complete his head, making a nice contrast between the darker tones of his hair and lighter tones of his face. I also done his neck and collar, leaving just his jumper and hands left to do.

This is the first work in progress update of my latest commission. The drawing is of my friend’s 4 year old son, Diarmuid, and the photograph used is his school portrait. In this first update, I have drawn his face, but as I complete other sections of the drawing, I will continually adjust and enhance details of his face to make the drawing balance well.