Wednesday, 17 November 2010

Second attempt

Well here is my second attempt at drawing the white German Shepherd. This time I decided on a head and shoulders portrait as there are more tones around her ears and muzzle. I was desperate not to have to shade in a dark background in order to make her look white and I think I've achieved that to some extent, though there are some parts of her that I'm less pleased with. She's a very 'fluffy' dog and I found it difficult trying to capture the softness of her fur.

I again used Bristol Board and I have mixed views of it. It is heavy and very smooth, which makes it tollerant of the eraser, but it lacks 'tooth' which results in very pale tones. The jury is still out as far as I'm concerned and I'll reserve judgement until I've used it some more. The light tones could just be me trying hard to keep the subject white.

PS - I've just visited Crystal's site and looked at her Labrador on Bristol Board. Can't fault the medium there - it's wonderful.
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8 comments:

  1. Barbra Joan17 November 2010 at 11:34

    John, I'm a watercolorist also a pencil artist. I use Bristol (smooth) I prefer that and no it has no tooth but it all depends on what your looking for.. I think you shepherd is very good looking... You did a great job ... we are always looking for that perfect one and find something in every single work that we would have done differently.. Of the many pencil pieces I've done only one is what I have no complaints about .. It's called 'Sophistication' .On that I wouldn't change a thing...I go back and look at some I've done a year ago and would still want to work on it... Go Figure !

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  2. _Frankb1017 November 2010 at 13:11

    This is a lovely delicate piece of work John. The dog's fur looks very convincing and the eyes are marvelous.
    I like the bristol board I have, which is very old and a creamy colour, but I don't know if it is meant to be creamy or if this has happened with age.

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  3. John (JWJarts)17 November 2010 at 14:00

    Thank you Barbra. Bristol is so very different from the Medium Surface Cartridge paper I normally use. I think I just need to get used to it.

    I've just spent a few minutes studying your "Sophistication". No wonder you're pleased with it - it's awesome. I love all the textures. Saw "Rusty" while I was there to ... gorgeous!!

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  4. John (JWJarts)17 November 2010 at 14:01

    Thanks Frank. I'm much happier with this than the last attempt.

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  5. Crystal Cook17 November 2010 at 20:35

    John I think you've done a fabulous job here. I really love the subtle values, it works well with the dog's fur. And you've given this shepherd such a noble expression, but a very kind one too. Really lovely, sensitive work.

    And thank you very much for the compliment. :):)

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  6. Sandra Busby18 November 2010 at 11:23

    Well John - there is not a thing wrong with this! He looks white and fluffy and absolutely gorgeous!
    Excellent!

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  7. John (JWJarts)18 November 2010 at 13:47

    Thanks Sandra, I appreciate it.

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  8. Unknown4 January 2014 at 17:35

    A wonderful interpretation of a 'White GSD' I have been honored to have had three of these beautiful and intelligent creatures

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