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Just getting started on a new piece of @mikevick. I've always found Mike's story fascinating. He was one of the best players in the league, and went to prison (dog fighting) in the prime of his career. For most players, their careers would be over. But, after serving his time, Mike returned to the league and once again became one of the best players in the league. No easy feat to accomplish. But what makes the story truly interesting to me is the idea that "winning solves everything" juxtaposed against the "unforgivable deed." On one hand, Mike returned to glory, his team was winning again, and many fans forgot/forgave the dog incident(s). However, on the other side are the fans who still, to this day, say they cannot support him for what he did. So, at what point do you forgive someone? He lost everything, filed for bankruptcy, went to prison, and admitted his actions were wrong. Even more recently it was made public that he paid back all of his creditors from his bankruptcy. Without question, he paid dearly for his mistake but, more importantly, he was accountable and accepted the repercussions. Mike did the crime, served his time, put forth the effort to make amends... so has he earned a second chance? What do you think? Do players deserve a second chance if they committed a crime? Does it depend on the severity of the crime? Does it impact your decision if the player is GREAT versus average? 🤔 - #art #drawing #atlanta #falcons @atlantafalcons #mikevick

A post shared by Keegan Hall (@keegan.hall) on Dec 6, 2017 at 11:46am PST

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"Second chances are not given to make things right. But are given to prove that we could be better even after we fall." - Unknown Agree? - Added several layers of shading to @mikevick's face. Faces don't have a lot of "hard" lines; instead, it's soft shading that sculpts the face, provides depth, and ultimately helps define the different areas of the face. - #art #drawing #atlanta #falcons @atlantafalcons #mikevick

A post shared by Keegan Hall (@keegan.hall) on Dec 7, 2017 at 11:29am PST

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"Give people a second chance, but not a third." - H. Jackson Brown Yes or no? - Adding the first layer of shading to @mikevick's arm. During this first pass I try to capture the changes in dark to light in his skin tone, but I don't get the details too tight (yet) because I'm going to blend out this layer and repeat the process a few more times. In the end, I should have several layers of shading that are progressively more accurate than the previous layers, which should render a fairly realistic skin texture. - #art #drawing #atlanta #falcons @atlantafalcons #mikevick

A post shared by Keegan Hall (@keegan.hall) on Dec 8, 2017 at 11:50am PST

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Jumping around the piece a bit, but I got most of @mikevick's arm, hand and football completed. More to come! #art #drawing #atlanta #falcons @atlantafalcons #mikevick

A post shared by Keegan Hall (@keegan.hall) on Dec 18, 2017 at 11:58am PST

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As with most hyper-realistic art, perspective plays an important role. Specifically, ensuring that each element is in the correct place within the "three dimensional" space (obviously creating art on paper is only 2D so that's where perspective comes in!). In this area, @mikevick's jersey number wraps under and follows the contour on his pads. From this angle, the straight number looks, well, quite curvy. As I shade, I'll be sure to use light and dark tones help highlight the texture of number's fabric as well as provide a sense of movement and depth. - #art #drawing #atlanta #falcons @atlantafalcons #mikevick

A post shared by Keegan Hall (@keegan.hall) on Dec 19, 2017 at 11:32am PST

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Working my way down @mikevick's right arm and added the first layer of shading to his skin. He has tattoos on this arm so I'll have to pay close attention to how they wrap around his bicep so they look natural. #art #drawing #atlanta #falcons @atlantafalcons #mikevick

A post shared by Keegan Hall (@keegan.hall) on Dec 20, 2017 at 11:49am PST

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The jersey has a slight texture to it, which I'll craft through a combination of shading with a pencil and thin lines from my eraser. Repeating the process of shading and then removing the graphite with the eraser will ultimately create a soft, fabric-like texture that feels like it's wrapping around his body. @mikevick #art #drawing #atlanta #falcons @atlantafalcons #mikevick

A post shared by Keegan Hall (@keegan.hall) on Dec 21, 2017 at 11:42am PST

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Adding the first layer to the "blurred" background. I start with a light layer of graphite and then blend it out. Repeat several more times. @mikevick #art #drawing #atlanta #falcons @atlantafalcons #mikevick

A post shared by Keegan Hall (@keegan.hall) on Dec 26, 2017 at 11:21am PST

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Almost finished! Got about half of the background completed. I always enjoy drawing backgrounds because I have a little more freedom with the rendering (versus drawing people/players in which I place each pencil stroke carefully and deliberately). @mikevick #art #drawing #atlanta #falcons @atlantafalcons #mikevick

A post shared by Keegan Hall (@keegan.hall) on Dec 28, 2017 at 12:57pm PST

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Final drawing: "Michael Vick." (@mikevick) 15" x 22". Pencil on paper. Let me know what you think of the final piece! #art #drawing #atlanta #falcons @atlantafalcons #mikevick

A post shared by Keegan Hall (@keegan.hall) on Dec 29, 2017 at 12:16pm PST