NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY
I personally don’t use that method very often. I find that once those grooves are made there
is no going back. Sometimes when I get
further into a drawing I want to make changes: add or take away whiskers; or lengthen
or shorten them. These options are not
possible if I have made the groove in my paper. I also find that if I am making smaller drawings it is hard to make my grooves thin enough. My embossed whiskers end up all the same width and
too thick for a smaller portrait.
The Portrait is finished
Just need to do the whiskers
Not!!
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| Alvin: Graphite, 8 x 10 |
Whiskers seem like an extra to be added on at the end of a drawing but that is not the case. They are an important feature that can bring my animals to
life. It takes careful
planning at the beginning to get them right: they are a white space that has
to be saved, it can’t be created later.
 |
| Alvin: Detail of Whiskers |
There are two ways to create the whiskers; one is to use a
dull point, like a darning needle. The
whiskers are drawn with the needle at the start, creating a deep groove in the
paper. Thus allowing you to work over the lines and no graphite will go into
them.
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| Whiskers made with darning needle |
I like to “leave my whites” to create my whiskers. This again requires pre-planning. Once the drawing is transferred and the first
layer is blocked in, I use a pointed white eraser to shape my whiskers. This gives me a good sense of how they will
look for the finish. There is often bits
of graphite still on them from the blocking in which also gives them a more realistic
look. (not a line of white but gray
tones in places) One note of caution,
this method is a lot fiddlier, as you must continually save those whites as you
build up the area around them.
Alvin is my neighbour’s cat, a very friendly guy. He comes
over often to hunt around our bird feeder.
So far he hasn't had much luck but he loves to try. He has been a very obliging model for me so I
have got some great shorts. His thick fluffy hair makes him very fun to draw.
On another note: Things are busy around here, packing today
for the Vendel Festival Show tomorrow. Saturday,
April 11, 11-6pm, Beecher Place, 12160 Beecher St, Crescent Beach. - Art, Wine, Ocean View & Chocolate - who
could want for anything more!!??
Have a great day,
Wendy
Contact me to create a portrait of your animal. See more examples of my work on my Commission a Drawing Page.
2 comments:
Love your cat drawings!
I was very excited with how Alvin turned out. He is a smoky gray colour and so quite a challenge to draw with a gray pencil!!
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