Night Watch

"Night Watch"
FC Polychromos on Strathmore Textured Paper
Approximately 5x7

The following are stages of the work-in-progress. This drawing was completed on the 17th of September 2007. The reason I'm posting so late is that I've been busy with several other projects. This is another drawing created from a reference photo found in the WetCanvas! reference image library. I use reference photos from the RIL for studies and trials, but I create the majority of my works from my own reference photos.

Three More Graphite Portraits

I am trying to get a few portraits done to give as gifts, while I'm in portrait mode. These graphite portraits usually take about two days (10-16 hours) to complete because I'm extremely slow. Once I have all of these finished, I am going to attempt a CP portrait of each of my kids.

"Madison"

8 x 10 Graphite on

Canson Sketch Paper

Completed on 09-11-2007

"John"
8 x 10 Graphite on
Canson Sketch Paper
Completed 9-4-2007

"Jacob"
8 x 10 Graphite on
Canson Sketch Paper
Completed on 9-6-2007

Purrrfectly Content

Another drafting film piece. This is my third try. As was "Callie," this is another of our barn cats. This one is not as shy, though. As a matter of fact she posed and rolled around on the ground like she was modeling for the next swimsuit addition for Sports Illustrated. This cat's name is Mittens, Callie's sister. I caught her in the act of scratching behind her ear and her face showed such relief that she looks as though she's smiling.

"Purrrfectly Content"
Approx. 3.5" x 5"
Colored Pencil on Drafting Film

Tree Frog on Drafting Film

The following are WIP (work-in-progress) scans of a tree frog created from a reference photo posted to the WetCanvas! Reference Image Library on 7-11-07. This is my second try working with drafting film and my first try with Faber Castell Polychromos colored pencils. This was completed in a day.

"Tree Frog"
Colored Pencil on drafting film w/white backing
Approx. 3.5" x 3"

Amid Sunflowers

This is a WIP that has come to a standstill. I'm working on trying to create faster with colored pencils. I am also working on using split complementary colors and complements to create shadows and chromatic black instead of using the out-of-the-box black pencil. To go totally overboard with new things, I am also trying a different brand of pencils other than my trusty Prismas. I don't know if the paper doesn't have enough tooth for the many layers I seem to need to achieve the darks I am after, if I am applying too much pressure, if it's the difference in the pencils, or a combination of all of these but I'm just not too happy with this particular drawing at this point. I think I'm going to just set it aside for a bit and practice some techniques before I pick it back up...if I do.

I also used crosshatching for the background on this piece, what little there is completed, which is another first for me. The crosshaching was done as both an attempt to cut down on production time and to loosen up a little and see if I felt comfortable with the results. The verdict is still out on the crosshatching, because I'll have to work with it on more than one piece before I can really say it fits my style.

Amid Sunflowers

Approximately 8.5 X 9

Colored Pencil on Canson Sketch Paper

Owl Study

Great Horned Owl

Graphite on Pale Yellow Card Stock

approx. 5 x 7

Graphite Portraits

"Sydney" & "Andrew"

8 x 10 Graphite on Canson

Sketch paper

Callie

"Callie"

Prismacolor Colored Pencil on Strathmore

Drawing Paper

11" x 20"