Recent Drawings mainly in charcoal and conte pencil:

drawing

A bit of exaggeration on this one:

Drawing demo

Here is the 4 steps together:

Charcoal Demo

Charcoal Drawing Demo

Step 1
I use a vine charcoal to outline the general shapes and separate shadow areas. The cast shadow under the nose is my sharpest edge, and to indicate that I put more force and crispness in that line-- just as a reminder.

Step 2
I crosshatch the shadows thinking of anatomy and expression simultaneously. No halftones at this stage.

Step 3
Now I add my darkest darks using a compressed charcoal to stabilize my shadow areas. the tip and the side of charcoal are both used to create interesting and rhythmic shapes.

Step 4
I finally put in the halftones to define the jawbone and the temple a bit. The fun part is when I rub my charcoal stained little finger to suggest the chin, cheekbone,etc. Highlights are then added and its done.

There is something about roads that I 've always been fascinated with since early childhood. Back then my father would drive me out into the country on daily excursions. I remember  I'd never get tired of watching cars and trucks pass by creating this queer ambiance of cars swishing by, making a hiss or a roar momentarily, and then just open space for the next car.  Sort of like what life is all about. My father's long passed away, but the voice still resonates powerfully.  He is gone yet the trail he left behind still exists.

the highway, oil on canvas
45 x 35

   

Aftaab Tower ( Sun Tower )

On a cold crispy morning I was looking out the window at this beautiful residential tower uptown Tehran called Sun Tower. It is designed in 3 wings with windows on one side and balconies sticking out the other side. With the early morning sun beams hitting the balcony side, the building was glowing like a torch. 

Aftaab Tower oil on canvas
100 x 50

Here is a portrait in oil:

The Herds woman in oil