Update 011

Still life and plant study is definitely something I will never grow tired of. Despite working on them all the time in school- there's something nostalgic about copying what you see in front of you, something set up and prepared ahead of time.

Charcoal, graphite, and contè pencil, 18x24 sketchbook.

Update 010

Charcoal drawing that involved underlighting with a portrait. This was done last semester.

Charcoal, 22x30 Rives BFK.

Update 009

This is a new technique I actually discovered a little less than a month ago. In Portraiture class, we had switched from doing entirely tonal drawings to all line, and any kind of tone was forbidden to be used. So naturally, that led me to outlining and drawing the face. But unlike most drawings, I chose to also define the face by giving the shadows they had shape and forms. This makes the image seem more realistic and interesting overall.

Graphite, 18x24 sketchbook.

Update 008

A simple assignment involving using light within a space. Even though I observe life like everyone else, it's always interesting to see just how much an illustrator's style differs from another, such as one in the fine arts.

Update 007

Chapter page, beginning of Chroma Destino, post-prologue.

Sketch:

Finished:

Update 006

A model study. This one was a tonal drawing, requiring us to only use shades and values to define the figure. Rather then blend things like I usually do, I chose to keep the lines more illustrative and as they were. It makes the figure an interesting subject that way.

Done with charcoal on 11"x17" Rives BFK paper, 3 hours.

Update 005

Last semester, my main focus in thesis class was development for my webcomic, Chroma Destino. In one instance, my teacher wanted me to present her with a "mock comic," to show the format of how I'd tackle the story.

This is just a quick rough sketch of a common scenario between Xyth'rin (the girl) and Zenov'ren (the boy), who are brother and sister and cannot stand each other- yet are spiritually bound together through a series of unfortunate events.

Update 004

Older graphite self-portrait, but still one of my favorites. It's always odd to look at older work and be able to almost immediately recognize what's off about it, like in this one- the cheek bone is too far back. You'd be surprised at just how much, by drawing portraits each week, your eye learns to adjust and understand the planes of the face. Then it becomes more noticeable how your hand adapts and moves along with your eye, rather than placing what you might think belongs there instead. It's a really incredible feeling.

Graphite drawing, 14"x17" smooth Bristol paper, 1.2 hours.

Update 003

Two hour portrait of a model in class, the object of this drawing was to capture the head in all tone. I was repeatedly told to avoid line, and by the end of the class, had learned a new technique and approach to doing my charcoal work. Needless to say, it was very intriguing.

Done in charcoal, 22"x30", Rives BFK White paper. About 2 hours.

Update 002

One of the many charcoal self-portraits that I'm fond of, due to the stark contrast in the background to the light. The piece was done in about 9 hours, nonstop work, on 22"x30" Rives BFK Grey paper. This tends to be my normal size for portraiture and figure drawing, as it's comfortable for me to work in, but not too large to go overboard.

Update 001

One of the ongoing projects in my line of work- a webcomic by the name of "Chroma Destino." The story revolves around a brother and a sister (who can't stand each other) who somehow get in a messy situation, and become spiritually "bound" to one another. The end result is a hilarious comedy of them trying not to kill each other, while they search for a way to separate again.

Originally I had an older blog for the webcomic alone, which can be found here.

Sketch:

Finished:

Profile

Curious as to who the artist is? Well, here's a quick little bio for your entertainment.

Carolyn Tornatore was born in a small town in New York. A vivid dreamer and an overall nutcase for a child, she had worlds she acted and played through since she was young.

From an early age, it was apparent that she was going to go into an interesting career. It wasn't until her junior year in high school that she seriously considered taking art as one, however- as it had only been a hobby for her starting since eighth grade. With this in mind, she set out to look into art colleges, and possible advance in a fine arts degree.

Five years later, she is finishing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art, better known as MICA. Her goal is to become a mixture between a portrait drawer and a webcomic artist, dancing between the lines of fine art and illustration.

This blog shows her current process and latest works. If you wish to contact her or see her resume, please send an email to chromadestino@gmail.com.