Ink-Hatched Dogs

2/10/24 Kelly (both reference photos by Matt Francev)

2/8/24 Alfred

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my series of pet portraits, it’s the significant challenge of trying to make good drawings from bad reference photos. The ones I received for Alfred and Kelly were both less than ideal: one was out of focus, both were poorly lighted, and the contrast was so dim that I could barely see the forms of their heads. Sadly, they had long ago crossed the Rainbow Bridge; taking better reference photos was not possible.

I have been enjoying using colored pencils for most of the series, but since both of these pups were black and white, they were a good opportunity to try something different: messy hatching with black Uni Pin technical pens (and a little colored pencil for details). Just like human heads, dogs have eye sockets that give the face a predictable form, even if it’s nearly impossible to see. I gave educated guesses (from all my other dog drawings) to do what I could with Kelly.

I couldn’t seem to do that with Alfred – the photo gave me so little information (except that delightful expression) – so I decided to push the cartoony effect that ink hatching invites. Even though the drawing came out flat, I was thrilled to capture his broad smile, which also fits the cartoony effect.

I used colored pencil on Alfred's nose.

3 sizes of Uni Pin pens for Kelly.