Homeless Man

by Josef Rocha
(San Jose,Ca.)

This drawing was a little challenging and was done in 1 hour and 14 minutes. It went by faster than I thought. I used 6B and 8B graphite pencils and blending sticks.



Note from Kerry:
That is a fantastic creation, Josef. It's hard to comprehend you did this in less than 2 hours - what a great work of art.

Holy Man

by Josef Rocha
(San Jose, Ca. )

This portrait was drawn using a blending stick, an eraser for the white face paint and 6B and 8B graphite pencils. This took nearly three hours.
I found the photo in a local newspaper that had a story on holy men in India.



Note from Kerry:
Wow, this is spectacular, Josef! I could stare at those compelling eyes for hours. Great drawing.

Thousand Yard Stare

by Josef Rocha
(San Jose, Ca.)

If you could see what these guys have seen then you will understand. This drawing took nearly two hours using a 2.5F pencil, then followed with 6B and 8B graphite pencils and blending sticks.



Note from Kerry:
Josef, I can't even tell this is a drawing! You are a fine artist, I am in awe.
Soldiers, Police Officers, Firey's etc, all have my respect, I would not being able to imagine what they see but I am very grateful for their protection.

Sniper

by Josef Rocha
(San Jose, Ca.)

This one is more technical because of the sniper rifle with scope. This one took nearly three hours.
Even if I think a drawing is complete I'll wait the next day to notice something I left out or needs correcting.
I'm learning to take my time because I want to do more challenging projects.
Done with graphite pencils,blending sticks and erasers for the high lights.



Note from Kerry:
Stunning artwork again, Josef! I don't think I could do something like this in 3 days, let alone 3 hours.
It is an amazing experience to study a drawing next day and to notice things that just weren't visible the day before.
Love your work!

Angelina

by Josef Rocha
(San Jose, Ca.)

This is my friend Angelina.This sketch was drawn with a No.2.5F school pencil, a 6B graphite pencil and blending sticks. This took about thirty minutes.



Note from Kerry:
Josef, I really appreciate that you tell us how long each drawing takes you to complete - it makes your work even more admirable knowing you can create something like this in a short half hour.
Your friend Angelina is very pretty, I love your drawing of her.

Quick Portrait Drawing

by Josef Rocha
(San Jose,Ca.)

I found a portrait in a photo website and liked it very much.
So here is my version. I did not know how to title this one.
This one took twenty-eight minutes using a school pencil and graphite pencils. I wanted to emphasize her eyes.
Thanks for looking.



Note from Kerry:
28 minutes? I'd love to do something like this in that short time! Josef, you are a master with a pencil.

Pashtun Girl

by Josef Rocha
(San Jose, Ca.)

This is the "Afghan Girl" from National Geographic. It is one of my favorite photographs and I wanted to draw her. I used graphite pencils and blending sticks.



Note from Kerry:
Josef, you have mastered portrait drawing in an enviable way. I love your style - your drawings are perfect.

Angelina

by Josef
(San Jose,Ca. USA)

This is a quick portrait of my friend Angelina.

Produced in 2010.

I used Super Promecha 0.5 mechanical pencil on 8 x 11" paper.



***Note from Kerry:
Gee Josef, I wish my "quick" work turned out like this!

The Mona Lisa

by Josef Rocha
(San Jose,CA.USA.)

This is my version of the Mona Lisa.

I did this freehand, with pencil on paper.

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Josef, this is really good work - you are brave to tackle something so well known so I am proud of your effort here.

The Train Lady

by Josef
(San Jose, Ca. USA)

1997. Drawn on the train on my way home.

I drew this quick portrait with a number 2 pencil on my sketch book.


***Note from Kerry:
Hi Josef
I like your sketch. I wonder if anyone recognizes her?

In progress...

by Josef
(San Jose,Ca. USA)

Drawing on 8x11 paper.I'm using a No.3 blending stick with graphite pencils. 8B, 2H and 4B pencils were used for this sketch.



Note from Kerry:

Hi Josef
It's great to hear from you again!
Your drawing is coming along beautifully, you've already captured a realistic face at this early stage. Thanks so much for sharing your drawing materials.

Kristen

by Josef
(San Jose,Ca. USA)

Black and white with color for the eyes and lips. Paasche VL3 dual action airbrush using acrylic paint.


***Note from Kerry:
Wow Josef! This is striking. I'd love to know a bit more about why your drew this, do you know her?