Mags WIP

Mags on Arches smooth paper.  8 x 10"

Mags is our resident magpie. He comes every day along with his mate Sobersides and little bubs.   LOL they are the names we have given to them.  They have heart for breakfast and what ever they can can get the rest of the day, toast, bread, ham.  They certainly don't go hungry. They have trained us well ;)
Still lots to do on Mags.   Black feathers are difficult but I have more layers to work on yet.  

Possums dinner time.

This is the first time they have allowed me to hand feed them with Banana chips.  They love them.as well as carrot, pumpkin and grapes.  It's taken some time and patience, so worth the wait.
They are gorgeous.

Lioness Finished.

Arches 300gsm Smooth Paper  43 x 35cm

I have finally finished the Lioness.   She feel like a friend with the time it has taken to complete this.  I did give you plenty of updates with her.   I am thinking maybe a male Lion next to keep this lady company.  


 I would like to thank.   Rod Haley ( Flickr).  Thank you very much Rod for your permission to use one of your superb photos. 

Lioness WIP 7

Arches 300 gsm smooth paper   43 x 35cm

I should have this finished over the next couple of days.   When it's finished I will miss seeing her face. LOL I get so attached to my animal drawing... It's like getting to know them and making friends while drawing them. I don't know about adding the touch of color to this one.  There is the green grass but I am not sure.I need to think about it.  

Lioness WIP #6

I didn't get much done this week on the Lioness.  I have had a sore throat and a cold which settled on my chest.  Happy to say I am feeling a lot better and getting back to the drawing board.

Our Trip

We have been very busy lately working on the plans for our upcoming trip overseas later in the year (Aug/Sept/Oct).  We are making this a special trip as we feel this will probably be our last trip overseas ... unless we win on the Lottery.  ;)  Most of our stops will be for 3-4 days.  First call San Fransisco, Las Vegas (Celine Dion Concert) Grand Canyon by helicopter ) , Denver  up to South Dakota (  Mt Rushmore) and most importantly to see my dear friend Maria, some of you may know Maria as Pencil Sanity. Then to Wyoming (Have a cuppa and dunk a ginger cookie with Gary and Vicki Keimig ). Visit Yellowstone National Park, A wildlife day tour. Then flying  across to North Carolina and make our way over 3 weeks up to Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, Connecticut. Meet up with very dear friends for many years that I met on the internet, the Maddare family that we have  previously met when Nev and I  married in Vermont 7 yrs ago.  Charles Maddare walked me down the isle ...well the grass bank in the gardens of the lovely Fairbanks Hotel in St Johnsbury. does that count for an isle.  LOL.    Then we go to New Hampshire, Maine, I will meet up with my dear friend Jill  in Maine that I met in an art forum a few years ago.  Then  finally onto  Boston for a few days. Revisit "Cheers"  where Nev had his 60th birthday on our last trip.    Leaving the USA sadly and  flying  to the UK  for 10days to see family, then flying to Beijing /Shanghai tour for 2 weeks, then  a few days leasure  to shop and  just wander  .  Then back to Sydney and home.

Dry Cleaning Pad.

1.  I have recently found this amazing tool. I would not be without one now...  The pad does not need washing as it cleans it's self.  It is also great for cleaning drawing tools.  shapers, brushes etc.

2. Fold as directed and rub to clean off any marks that you get around your drawing.

3. As you will see in the third image it leaves crumbs of  rubber.  Sweep them away with your brush.

4. It leaves a nice clean surface and no damage to the tooth on the surface.

I have researched the availability and most art stores carry them.  Dick Blick has them.   I paid $14.95 in Au  ....They are much cheaper in the USA.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/alvin-dry-cleaning-pad/

Lioness WIP #5

 

Now comes  the hard part...All the rock :)  Still lots to do yet.  Her front paw will be outside the frame. I thought it would give a more 3D look.    Hope she looks like she's jumping off the paper.  LOL  or maybe a friendly paw to be stroked.  

Lioness WIP #4

 

 A little further on now. I have done quite a lot this afternoon but the light is not good now so I will post another update in the morning.   It's interesting as this seems to have all the shades of graphite in it.  I like that. 

I have been Featured.

Art is Fun
I am very thrilled and honored to be chosen  Featured Artist on
  "Art Is Fun"  
Many thanks to Thaneeya. 
Please take a look around the site while you are there, there are lots of interesting articles etc.

http://www.art-is-fun.com/detailed-pencil-drawings.html

Lioness WIP #3

Arches 300 gsm smooth paper   43 x 35cm

                                               

Copyright Rod Haley.

I got a bit more done on this yesterday.  There is still a lot more to do but the head is now taking shape.

Lioness WIP #2.

Arches 300gsm paper 45 x 35 cm

Resuming the Lioness.

Arches 300gsm smooth paper. 45 x 35 cm

Just to recap on where I am at with the Lioness.  I am posting the last update.  It's back on the drawing board. I should get a little done today.
A large drawing for a nice change. Just mapping out getting some base working. The size when finished will be 45 x 35 cm plus the border on Arches smooth 300 gsm paper.
The lioness ref photo comes courtesy of Rod Haley ( Flickr).  Thank you very much Rod for the permission to use one of your superb photos. 

Chakra WIP comission. Finished.

10 x 8" Prismacolor Pencil and Graphite on Canson 220 gsm smooth Paper. 

Here is Chakra all finished.  I will leave it for a day and then look if it needs any tweaking.
The bottom of the Love Box is done in CP as it didn't have a good look in graphite.

Chakra WIP comission. #5

A little more done.  I still have work to do on the folds of the fabric and the fabric at the bottom.
This green is the only touch of color.  The rest will be in graphite.  I am not sure about the brown trim... I may change to graphite..  Having a thing about that.   :)

Chakra WIP comission. #4

Sorry for the poor image..It's late afternoon and light is not good. 

I think Chakra is coming to life now.  Still a lot more to be done.  He looks so cute sitting in his " Love Box"
I like the challenge of CP and Graphite a little tricky where the two mediums join.

Chakra WIP comission. #3

A little more done on Chakra.   More layering of fur on his back and the highlight on the tail.  more work on the chin whiskers ...  Then  it gets exciting....  with the touch of color.

Chakra WIP comission. #2

Coming along better now I have changed to the smooth paper.   I have had a good few hours at it today. Nice and relaxing.     I need to correct the whisker over the eye.  ;)  It's good to post... as soon as I get a drawing posted on my blog I see where things need sweaking.

Chakra WIP comission. #1

8 x 10" Canson 220 gsm smooth paper. 

I am much happier with the above drawing on smooth paper.  :)

8 x 10"  Arches 300 gsm Medium Paper.

I am going to do this again as I am not happy with the paper for this work. It's a medium tooth paper and It is not working for me with the cat. so it's take two on a smoother paper. 

This is not a pretty stage of the drawing. I like to get a rough blocking in and work on the fur once I know where everything needs to be placed. I can now get into the fine detail.
 Chakra.  is in his Love Box. I will try to do more postings with this WIP  as I work through this beautiful cat. He looks so comfortable he makes me feel sleepy. LOL "Wake up Dors. work to do"

Finished Cat WIP (Update)

Arches 300gsm smooth paper   10 x 10"

Another update.  The eyes were a little too sad.  Hope this has given Sheraz a look that fits her personality better.   It is a little hard when photos are not very detailed, also working from a few images.

Finished Cat WIP. (Sheraz)

Arches 300gsm smooth paper.  10 x 10" 

I was not really happy with the fore leg that is tucked under her body.  I feel it is looking better now.  

Also Jan pointed  the same thing out to me. Thank you Jan for your critique.