Poldark is a series of history novels by Winston Graham. They have been adapted to the television screen twice by the, BBC with Poldark being broadcast in 1975 and 1977 and a new version, also called Poldark beginning in 2015.

The new series has proved a hit with viewers and a second series is planed I have always been fascinated by the 18th century and have always thought that the three corned hat and cloak big riding boots makes a man look good compared to our modern dress.

The main character, Ross Poldark, a British Army officer, returning to his home in Cornwall from the American War of independence only to find that his fiancée, Elizabeth Chynoweth, having believed him dead, is about to marry his cousin, Francis Poldark. Ross attempts to restore his own fortunes by reopening one of the family’s tin mines. After several years he marries Demelza Carne, a servant girl, and is gradually reconciled to the loss of Elizabeth’s love. By then, Elizabeth has become a widow and marries George Warleggan, Ross’s arch-enemy.
There are a total of twelve novels. The first seven novels are set in the 18th century, until Christmas 1799. The remaining five are concerned with the early years of the 19th century and the lives of the children of the main characters of the previous novels. Winston Graham wrote the first four Poldark books during the 1940s and 1950s. Following a long hiatus, he decided to resume the series, and The Black Moon was published in 1973.
I have drawn three pictures of Aidan Turner who plays Ross Poldark in the new BBC series, two in acrylic and one in black carbon pencil.
If anyone would like a print of them please let me now by sending me an email, thank you for your support and helpful comments
Happy drawing Phil.

I have just finished a pencil drawing of Mark Harmon, who plays Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the TV series of NCIS, one thing that the character Gibbs tell his fellow investigators is to always carry a knife, this is a good piece of advice for the artist as the only way to sharpen a pence with a long carbon point is by using a very sharp knife.

I used monolith cretacolor graphite sticks 9HB4B and HB it is the first time I have used them and I like the blackness of 9B it is nearly as intense as charcoal. Usually graphite produces a shinny effect particularly the 8B and 9B but these graphite sticks do not or should I say there is a shine but nothing like the shine of other graphite pencils. I also used paper stumps for the blending they give more control than an artists fingers and there is not any grease left on the paper as there always is with fingers. I also used a putty rubber for lifting some of the highlights and for really small highlights I used a monozero elastomer eraser and I also used the Staples retractable eraser I think this is my favourite eraser and it is probable one of the cheapest.

The paper I used was medium surface cartridge from Windsor & Newton the medium grain heavy weight, this is good paper but for pencil work I prefer the smooth grain paper.

I am reasonable pleased with the finished drawing I got the photo from the web and as you can see it is an old photo of him probable in his mid to lat 50’s as Mark Harmon was born in 1951 which makes him 64 years old now.