When is a photograph not a photograph?
When it is one of Linda Huber’s truly extraordinary pencil drawings, is the answer. These beautiful and unique works of art allow the viewer to experience that magical moment of wonder that occurs when an image, which has all the coruscating detail of a photograph, is revealed to be a hand drawn picture.
Just how does she do it?
In Linda’s case, the old truism, practice makes perfect, applies: “At an early age I started out drawing from life. As the years passed and my drawings became more detailed they took longer to finish so today I draw primarily from reference photos. Mostly all of my work takes anywhere from twenty to eighty hours – I’m self-taught and strive for realism in each piece, taking great pleasure in capturing every fine detail.”
Technique is the factor that links all of this talented artist’s work, since her subjects are drawn from all areas of everyday life, ranging from ordinary household items like light bulbs to children, flowers, pets, movie stars and the face of Michelangelo’s David. A recent commission – a double wedding portrait – took over two months to complete. One thing is certain; once you have seen one of Linda’s astonishing pencil drawings you will never look at the world in quite the same way again.
Is there anything that she cannot tackle? “A challenge just persuades you to work harder!” she laughs, admitting that she likes to work upside down. “By turning the drawing and the reference photo upside down it is possible to see shapes, tones and details much more easily. I find that it changes my perception and gives my eyes and brain a ‘fresh’ perspective.”
Linda, who lives with her husband John in a charming, traditional clapboard house in upstate New York, is also a keen photographer, which helps her to capture future subjects. Nothing escapes her eagle eye: “I draw not only what I see but what I know! For example, from years of doing portrait work I know the anatomy of a face, I also know for realism you should never skip over any individual details, such as the perfect balance of light and shadow to define the shape of one’s face, unique flickers of light in each eye, hair texture, (including eyelashes and eyebrows) and even pores in the skin.”
Visit Linda’s website for more information about her work and how to purchase one of her extraordinary works of art. Prices start at $300 for a highly realistic drawing and $200 for a semi realistic drawing. Prints are also available at a cost of $22.
