Gabbi - WIP

Next up is Gabbi.  This will be another white animal depicted in Graphite because I need lots of practice :)
I finished (I think) with the prelim drawing.  Getting all the features accurate was a definite challenge for sure! This is really drawn lightly on white paper but in order to show you what I've done so far, I really had to increase the contrast and decrease the light!

Hope you like it so far!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Domino Update FINISHED

Here is the final signed, finished and SOLD drawing depicting the light colored coat of Domino also know as "Spotty".  I'm pleased with how this came out and thrilled that the owner of Domino is also pleased with how this came out and chose to buy it!
I'm now starting on a cute little white Maltese dog updates will be coming soon :)
Hope you like the finished piece!

Thanks for stopping by :-)

Domino WIP Update 5

Tonight's work was to make subtle changes.  Can you find them?  Well, I'll help you out just in case you don't see them all.  The biggest change was to try and add the color variations to the skin around the mouth.  I also added some spots that I can see in the photo reference.  I increased the depth in the ears, darkened some shadows, lightened some areas of the face and I'm approaching the finish line with this one :)
Hope you still like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Domino WIP update 4

Hello, I hope you had a fantastic weekend.  We had gorgeous sunny weather!  Unfortunately, the weekend is now over.
After working on Domino today here is where I ended the days progress. Today was all about getting some of his "spots" in.  He has a very cute face with pink and dark grey/black markings under his white hair.  They are subtle (at least in the photo reference I have they are) but they make him who he is so I'm trying to get them in.

So that's where I ended it today.
Hope you like still like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Domino WIP Update 3

Still pushing the "darks" just a bit on the shadowed areas of the horse.  I also started working on his face.  Even though I own a horse, I'm learning things about horses anatomy that I didn't even know I didn't know.  A couple days ago I was a little worried if I was going to be able to pull off the fact that this is a white/grey horse but I'm starting to like where this one is heading and I think now that I can do it :)
Hope you like it so far!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Domino WIP Update 2

Today I worked on getting more contrast by pushing the darks in the shadowed areas.  I still have a long way to go with this portrait but I'm really liking how it's starting to pop off the page :)
Hope you like it so far!

Domino - WIP - Update 1

Transferred Domino to his working surface which is Strathmore Bristol Smooth.
 As always, I started with the eye and then moved onto the shadows and mane but not so sure about his eye yet. 
Mostly 2B with a little 4B (for the eye and shadows).  Definitely a challenge to make this look like a white horse.  I think the "key" is CONTRAST but that's just a guess LOL.
A lot more work will go into this before he is finished.
Hope you like it so far!

Domino "Spotty"
Graphite on 9 x 12 Strathmore Bristol Smooth

Thanks for stopping by :)

Domino - Spotted Horse Sketched

I put a request out to my fans on Face Book asking for help.  I would like to draw more light and white colored animals because they are the hardest to master.  So, I asked my fans for help supplying me with good quality reference photos of their pets.  If they like what I've drawn, they can then purchase it at a discounted price or just get a print of it.
The portrait I'm working on now is a result of that request.
Meet Domino, his owner describes him as "extremely cheeky" Spotted cross horse :)
Don't you just love his expression?  I sure hope I can capture it!
I've sketched out the prelim. and I'm now ready (I think) to transfer it to the working surface.
Hope you like it so far!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Beautiful Andalusian - Update 4

I finished this beautiful boy tonight :)
I really like how the mane turned out and of course since that's the center of interest for this portrait and glad it's interesting :)
I hope you like it!
9x12 Strathmore Bristol Smooth
Graphite: H, 2B and a smidgen of 4B

Thanks for stopping by :)

Beautiful Andalusian - Update 3

I've decided to name this one "Mane Attraction" because his mane is just so beautiful!
I'm really liking how the mane flows but I think it needs more contrast.  The horse is a light grey and the mane is lighter yet.  Light colored animals are so hard to achieve with graphite and it's all about the contrast. I'm working this whole thing using two graphite pencils a 2B and a H.
Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Tiger WIP Update 7

Tweak it some and signed it.  I haven't mentioned lately that the awesome reference for this was used with permission from Woxy on Deviant Art.  Thank you Woxy!

Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Tiger WIP Update 6

Worked on this for a few more hours today and except for tweaking, it's finished :)
Rick now says it's his new favorite so I guess I accomplished what I wanted to!
Before now the long haired kitty Sweet Huia was his favorite.
I need to figure out what color to use when I sign it.  Any suggestions?
Any Suggestions for helping me name this one??
 Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Practice 5 Elements of Shading

How many drawing books start out with the Sphere?  Have you ever really studied the sphere?  Why do they start with the Sphere?  Is it because there are certain principles that should be followed when making the illusion of art?  What are the principles of shading? There are five of them.
Last night I practiced them on the sphere first and then with an eye.  I also used a Q-Tip for blending.  I've never blended that way before.  The eye is a 3" x 2" and the sphere is a little one 1.5" x 1.5" (including the cast shadow)
.  Five Elements of Shading:
1. Cast Shadow
2. Shadow Edge
3. Half Tone
4. Reflected Light
5. Highlight

Do you see them all in the Eye?
This was drawn on simple printer paper using a 2B, H and very little 4B (for the pupil) graphite pencils along with a Q-Tip cotton swab.
Hope you like my study!

Thanks for stopping by :)