The Beginning to the End

This was the beginning sketch for a portrait commission I recently completed. I always enjoy coming across these initial drawings that I usually start before the final piece. 

After a long photo shoot with the family I then sat down and sifted through the images looking for interesting body language and facial expression for each person. This sketch was the third compilation of the the three figures and the one that I decided to go with. I liked how the mother(far left) gazed proudly at her two daughters, to me it gave the piece a more contemporary spin off of the traditional family portrait. I didn't just want to portray their mug shots I wanted them to appear as if we as the viewer were in sitting in the room with them listening to their conversation.

from that thumbnail sketch I then started the final drawing much larger and on better paper!  Many hours later.... I finish the piece in chalk pastel.