Tag: pencil

Kitty Underpinnings

The inky black cats have evolved. I decided I needed to invest in a bit of education about the build of cats and their proportions. I found some good resources to learn from, such as ones on YouTube, but since video does not play well outdoors in the sun, I opted for a book. I downloaded one for Kindle called Drawing Cats: A Step-by-Step Guide for Artists by Aimee Willshire. It had what I needed – a basic skeleton and a bit of a formula in proportions to make a drawing that can pass as a cat if I am lucky. As with portraits or people, or anything, there are essential dimensions upon which you can place individual features. I found it helpful and simple, which is really what I wanted.

So, sitting in the sun, I looked at the Kindle book and used pencil and ballpoint pen. Here are the results.

There is more in Willshire’s book, such as facial proportions, as well as specific exercises and suggestions. For basics, I am pleased enough to continue with more kitties, time permitting.

Something Different

I really prefer landscapes to nearly anything when it comes to artwork. Part of it is pure laziness – no one will point out the inaccuracy of my rendering! I can make it anything I want. Portraits, of someone you know or is famous, are inherently more challenging. With this challenge in mind, I decided to enroll in an 8-week portrait class led by my painting instructor. Yesterday was the second class.

For a number of years now I have sporadically met up with a small group of artists in a nearby park. Originally the group was for a portrait class, in person, sans masks, during the Covid days. Eventually it evolved / devolved, but now it is once more on track as a portrait class. No problem – I think i will happily return. The reason is simple – I am beginning to enjoy portraiture – at least in pencil.

We did a graduation party for Dakota, new high school graduate and soon to be university student. I decided the photo Auntie Am took was perfect for subject matter in yesterday’s class. Tan paper, hard and soft pencil, white Prismacolor pencil for highlights.

I listened to my Portraits-in-the-Park teacher, Steve, whispering in my ear as I drew, recalling words of advice and hints. Barbara, too, refreshed the “rules” of portraiture last week. And so, a portrait of Dakota emerged with the help of my two wonderful instructors.

My own observations tell me my noses are improving but need work, my ears still suck, and the rest is not too bad. All done in about a 45 minute session once the class instructions were completed.

Now, let’s be honest here. Pencil is easy to use. Barbara’s class is to soon move into value studies on canvas and a painted portrait may emerge in the next several weeks. That is going to be pure experiential hell. I have never painted a person in my life. At least I am somewhat comfortable with oils and other media. I am considering oil paint or pastels. Oil is slow drying and can be modified. Pastels are like drawing with a pencil. Watercolor requires a bit more skill than I have and in a classroom I don’t think I would be comfortable, but may decide to do at home where I can wade through paper if need be. Colored pencils may or may not be on the agenda.

Onward!!

Sycamore

Yesterday was a meeting of the Pencil Portraits in the Park group, but drawing people held little appeal for me. So, I decided to try something I had briefly seen somewhere and thought interesting: during their travels in the 19th century, many people sketched in pencil (graphite) and then colored the drawings with watercolor. These days most people sketch with waterproof ink and then color things in, but I rather liked this idea. A sycamore tree in our park, dressed out in autumn finery made a nice portrait, methinks.

9×12, hot press 140# Arches. Graphite and watercolor.