45x45 image size - acrylic on unstretched canvas
11x14 Pet Portrait - acrylic on stretched canvas
11x14 Arkansas Flag - acrylic on stretched canvas
48x60 Abstract - Spray Paint, Acrylic on stretched canvas.
The Sunset - 24x30 - Spray paint + acrylic on stretched canvas - Commissioned
Reference photo for the painting
Started with spray paint for the sky..
then brought in the acrylics for the details
layers on layers..
Final scan
Graphite Owl Drawing
The Owl drawing is #2 in my wildlife series. It was drawn referencing a photograph I took of an owl in my backyard. There were two right next to each other when I was setting my camera up, unfortunately the other flew away before I got the shot. The drawing was put down on 18 x 24" heavy weight, acid-free watercolor paper with graphite; I spent approximately 35 hours on the drawing.
*Original for sale
*Limited prints available -- Jon.Cotroneo@yahoo.com
John Lennon wall - 15 x 60" mixed media
Newborn baby commissioned graphite drawing - 11x14"
Custom piece requested as a gift for the father of the newborn baby. 11x14" - on 100lb. acid free vellum - using graphite pencils, powder/brush, and a white gel pen.
Started out with a grid for this piece. I have a variety of methods I use to begin drawings, if I have plenty of time I will often go freehand, but utilizing a grid does help with the accuracy when drawing from a photograph. If I do use a grid, I try to use no more than 4 indicator lines (horizontal and vertical) so that my guides are used as minimally as possible, as I prefer free hand.
The image that was used as a reference.
Chimpanzee - Wildlife series #3 - 18 x 24" - Graphite pencils + powder and a white gel pen
The Chimpanzee is the third piece of my wildlife series. This one was unique in that it was the first time I incorporated pen with my drawings. I used a white Gelly Roll pen for highlights in the face and the light sheen in the hair, then toned it down for fades with a makeup brush (much better quality than art brushes) and graphite powder. While it did make this piece take a little longer than I had planned on spending, I think it was definitely worth it. You will probably see it incorporated more often in future graphite work because it allows me to achieve the perfect highlight that an eraser alone can't achieve. The original is FOR SALE and limited edition prints (50) are available for each previous and future works. If you would like to see other animals drawn, feel free to make suggestions below, as this will be an ongoing series. To purchase prints or originals checkout my etsy page, link above in the main toolbar, or contact me at Jon.Cotroneo@yahoo.com. Thanks and enjoy!
Recent Commissioned drawings
Below is a collection of photos from a couple recent commissioned drawings I've done, others I've completed will be shared at a later date as they are gifts. All of the drawings below were created using an assortment of graphite pencils and brushes with graphite powder. Each piece was also created in less than 30 hours. The challenges varied with each piece, as I was working with a lack of detail with the photo in the football drawing, the kids and horse drawing was a combination of two separate photos, and the last piece was a wedding gift which I used nothing but the clients ideas of a silhouette couple in the Boston area and a few reference photos of the two to be married.
If you're interested in commissioned work, feel free to email me. I can usually work with just about any ideas/photos. 11 x 14 is the most common size for commissoned drawings so far, but I can go as big as you need, I've completed drawings as big as 3 ft x 4 ft, and paintings 5 ft + as well as murals. Unless the commissioned work is a gift, I post most progress shots on Instagram so be sure to follow me @Jon_Cotroneo .
Chang - Graphite Drawing - 18 x 24"
Below are a few progress photos during the drawing of 'Chang'. The piece was drawn on 18x24 heavy weight, acid-free watercolor paper, with graphite pencils/powder and an eraser. I chose watercolor paper specifically for the textured surface, which I thought would help to show the coarseness of an elephants skin. Total time spent creating 'Chang' was around 25-30 hours working from start to finish. More work soon!
Original drawing is sold
Limited quantity of prints - - Jon.Cotroneo@yahoo.com
Commissioned painting - 16x16 acrylic on canvas
Typography and logos
Creating logos and studying/working with different typefaces has been something that has really intrigued me within the past year and has often been the subject of my doodles in my sketchbook.
Large scale drawings
My drawings are all completed using woodless graphite pencils. The bottom piece also utilized white pencil for highlights in the uniform..
Top: 3 ft x 4 ft - Leonardo Da Vinci Mastercopy of the Battle of Anghiari - completed in 2014
Bottom: 3 ft x 4 ft - Mickey Mantle - completed in 2015
New website and blog
Welcome to my new website, www.JCotroneoArt.com!
I will be using my new blog to show the entire process of some of my work from beginning to end, which will include before and after photos/slideshows. I would also like to begin documenting future work with a time lapse video and feature those on the blog as well. Being able to allow you to see the art come alive throughout the entire process allows you to really get an idea of the amount of work and layers that are put into each piece. This will be a great new feature for my website and hopefully a good way for you all to keep track of my original work, or even your own commissions.
Thanks for checking out my site and stay tuned for all the details that go into my work!
Jon