,.. first of two girls,..

the boy is done,...

eyes,..

... update,...

me back I am,...

I did take some time to re-group and rest my mind,.. after that last big piece (wood working tools), I was burnt. Also, I did have some real life manual labor to tend to and now I am ready to hit the drawing board again,... (I'm so punny).

This is a commissioned work so only partials will be shown, I will share my adventures none-the-less.

Hair, the hair is always terrifying to me, and I know it is because I am doubtful of my work and uncomfortable with my technique (definitely something I should practice more).

 

... very much a work-in-progress, but the eyes are an ok start and the hair might work if I don't over do it,... Ughhh!




























... sB

Wood Working Tools

Final product as presented.

For a man I have worked with for only 3 years, but 3 years that have left me a better person. A well deserved retirement and restful phase of his life starts now and although I could not be happier for him, I am extremely sad for myself.

This is a rather large piece and very, very busy,.. hence it is difficult to appreciate in this size on a small screen/monitor, for all the painstakingly observed several minute details that I tended to, they are certainly lost in this venue.   None the less - it was quite enjoyable and did keep my mind balanced through daily challenges.
 
17.5" x 14" - 80# paper.
Graphite and Charcoal.
(wood illusion techniques by JD Hillberry)




sB

Arabian Horse,... (final)

The start went very well (left image),.. and then I over drew and went too dark and heavy on the hair above the forehead (right image).  The hair is much lighter than I had drawn it,.. I had to lighten it.   

The excess material had to be lifted as opposed to erasing. The act of erasing I feared would push some of the graphite into the tooth of the paper and create more smudge than clean medium.  All I had to do now was draw in the hair lightly.

I finished the muzzle and mane,... and decided it was done.
My wife had asked me for this piece for her cousin. 

Of course since it was
near me I could not help
myself and I worked on
the ears (made them look
less like donkey ears), and
worked down (very little)
the left side of the face
which I think added maturity.  

This started as a quick sketch, but I did manage to learn a few things.
Final size is 8.5" x 12" on 60 lb paper (white).  Dixon Ticonderoga #2 HB Black, General's Kimberly #525  4B and 6B graphite pencils, as well as 0.5 and 0.7 mm mechanical pencils, and General's 2B, 4B and 6B Charcoal #557.   Hard, kneading and Vinyl eraser,... as well as a few techniques for blending (stumbs,tourtilons,clothes) and lifting (poster tack).  




sB

Arabian,...