May

10

Katie Part 5

Filed Under Carrie Lewis | Leave a Comment

I did a little bit of work on Katie’s portrait yesterday. Not much, unfortunately, but the one thing I’ve learned about painting — and about myself — is that more paintings are finished sooner if I paint in every little chunk of time that comes my way instead of waiting for that “perfect painting hour”! It is just too easy to let days go by without doing studio work if I can’t or won’t make use of 20 minutes here and 20 minutes there.

I believe I had about 20 minutes last night, so I worked on Katie. Those 20 minutes stretched into about 45 and quite a bit of work done in a small area. Work that wouldn’t have otherwise been done.

I started with Katie’s nose and painted the skin part of that with Ivory Black and Titanium White.

That led naturally to painting the muzzle area around the nose, which was mostly dry brush work alternating strokes of white with strokes of black.

The reference photo is looking down on Katie, a composition that doesn’t usually lend itself to good portrait compositions. But I remember seeing Katie once or twice in person (I wish I had paid more attention!), so I am going to try to paint a more head on portrait.

To do that, I need to add some neck and chest in the painting, so I worked on that, using lots of white and a little black to block in Katie’s throat and chest. Just for fun, I added the chain collar so the area would read a bit more easily. That’s going to be the real challenge because geometric shapes and I don’t get along that well. I see lots of painting and repainting to get those loops and rings correct!

©Copyright 2008 by Carrie Lewis. See original post here.

May

10

Tools of the trade needed for drawing two Jack Russell terriers.

Filed Under Sheona Hamilton-Grant | Leave a Comment



I mentioned detailing the technical aspects of this commission. Well, seeing as it is the week end and a very sunny one at that I would illustrate a few technicalities with a photo rather than ramble on and keep you away from enjoying the sun.

My important working tools chosen for this drawing(as seen in photo) are:

  • Paper: Winston and Newton 200g, smooth surface
  • Pencils: Derwent H, 2B, & 4B
  • Clutch Staedtler Mars 3B (2mm)
  • Blue Tack
  • Bullet pencil sharpener and clutch sharpener
  • Glasses and
  • very importantly coffee (has to be out of one of my three favorite mugs…!)

These allow for a good few hours of drawing and recreating a chosen subject.

The second step in this portrait was working out the second eye. Focusing on getting the expression right before going further. I do this by using all my reference photographs. I know Titus which makes it so much easier to know what to look for.

Shading and darkening still needs to be done but for now the initial feel is right.

Notice how the nose is squint…will correct this in the next step. I’ll correct this by using my blue tack and dabbing away, squinting at the drawing and measuring.

In all spent roughly 70 minutes (give or take) on this stage.

Won’t be posting tomorrow: Mummy’s day and I’m off for the day with my wee family.

Back on Monday.

To all the Mummies out there have a wonderful day!

©Copyright 2008 by Sheona Hamilton Grant. See original post here.

May

10

First step in new commissioned pencil drawing of Jack russell terriers

Filed Under Sheona Hamilton-Grant | Leave a Comment

Studio spring cleaned, exhibition in Windsor under way, Blog updated and reorganised (ok so this bit of the week took a wee while…still learning the ropes), sunshine still here with the weekend ahead and a new commission under way.
Everything coming along pretty smoothly (unbelievable).
Will post all the technical details of my new drawing with the result of a new day’s work in a little more than 24 hours from now…
Right now, off to hit the pillow been a busy week. Sleep tight.

©Copyright 2008 by Sheona Hamilton Grant. See original post here.