Croquis – Pocket Portrait of Nikola H. – Happy Birthday and best wishes to my young Nephew Nikola. Loose graphite and watercolor wash on paper – seven by five inches on 200 lb. Blockingford cold press paper.
See more pocket portraits of Adults.
See more pocket portraits of Children.
What is a “Croquis”? – A rough draft, croquer (French) to sketch, rough out.
What is a Pocket Portrait? – Small-scale (usually 7×5), graphite and wash portraiture featuring loose, spontaneous line-work and brush strokes.
Popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, small portraits were also called Limnings (or Miniatures). The term refers to the act of depicting or describing in painting by means of pencil or brush. The portraits of family members and loved ones were created in watercolors on prepared ivory, card paper, vellum or copper.
About the Artist – Russell Risko is a Graphic Designer, Illustrator and Fine Artist. During his 40-year career as a verbal and visual communicator, Russ achieved leadership roles as Art Director, Creative Director, Principal Partner and Ad Agency President. His work has appeared in countless regional, national and e-zine publications and website properties. Russ has written on a wide range of topics, publishing corporate press announcements, advertisements, case histories and feature articles. In addition, his work (in digital and in print) has earned the recognition of his peers – resulting in numerous professional awards throughout his career.
Russ has entered the final chapter of his career, unfettered by the “need-it-yesterday” time constraints of the advertising/graphic design world. He now has the opportunity to move beyond his commercial art past and exercise his fine art muscle; to give birth to new visual perspectives; and to invest in the time necessary for such exploration.