Johnny Depp Capt Jack Sparrow

Pirates was huge. This picture of Johnny Depp was on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. Instantly I thought it would be a great picture to draw, due to the fact of the detail. I haven’t drawn 3 years prior to this portrait. With the magazine and Pirates being pretty big at the time, I had an itch to draw. Though it would be a challenge because it has been awhile, but at the same time I wanted to go big. Draw him at a decent size and nail the detail the best I could.

Thinking about it now, I sat alone drawing this, but I was happy in my life where I was. The tools and paper I used to draw this was a gift…while away…it was only possible because of…well that’s someone I hold dear…and a story fitting elsewhere not here.

I completed this drawing in 6 hours, over the course of 3 nights. A funny thing is it took awhile for me to like it. I was critical, at times I said, “It doesn’t even look like him.” But I received compliments, though it was hard to convince me. I like receiving constructive criticism, so I displayed it at a store I use to manage at. High traffic just to see what people would say, it was cool I guess.

Drawings are personal to me, I guess because it shows what I can do or accomplish. So it’s hard for me to let go, sell, or whatever with them. But this has been the only drawing I gave away. Where I drew it, why I drew it…a lot of memories…The only one I gave away…

People tell me this is the best one and they even ask me which is my favorite or best, but I simply answer, “My next one.” (Whenever / if I do another one, who or thing) Stretch limits with no limits…

Charcoal and charcoal pencils were used.

July 2006 – 6 Hours total