12/7/23 Lucky (Maria Ochoa reference photo) |
After sketching a raccoon on a Field Notes Birch Bark edition cover, I wanted to make more animal portraits in this fun format.
The issue was finding good reference photos that I could use free of charge
(like Earthsworld’s apparently endless resource of human portraits). Unsplash,
Pixabay and other free photo reference resources are available, but then I
started thinking that it would be more fun and meaningful to draw pets of
people I know (at least virtually).
I put out a little “contest” in the Field Nuts Facebook group of Field Notes aficionados: Post your pet’s photo, and you may win a portrait of your pet on a Field Notes cover. I gave myself full rights to choose the photos, the media and the timeframe, which means there’s no pressure on me in any way. I got more than 60 entrants (so far – the “contest” goes on indefinitely as far as I’m concerned), and I’ve been delighted by all the pets, including a few unexpectedly exotic ones, like a chameleon, a tortoise and a cockatoo! Cats and dogs make up the majority, of course, so I’ve started with a few. (I already showed the kitty Tucker in my recent ArtGraf post.)
12/10/23 Maggie (John Cline reference photo) |
I find that I tend to favor dogs, not because I necessarily like them better than cats but because their heads have more form and are therefore easier to draw. But that just means I need to challenge myself by drawing more cats!
Naturally, my selection criteria include cuteness, but just as important is the quality of the reference photo – well lighted, sharp focus, and preferably with all-important catchlights in the eyes.
In addition to my Nutty contest, I made a few of these portraits as surprise gifts for friends I follow on social media who occasionally share photos of their fuzzy-faced companions.
Initially, I was going to avoid water-soluble media lest the Birch Bark notebook covers got wet during use, but what the heck – now I’m using anything, just to see how it looks. These books are meant to be used, and the covers are not fine art. I’m having a ball trying different media on this fabulous cover stock, which I’m sure was not intended for drawing on, but it’s taking everything like a champ (specific material notes are in the cutlines of the images showing the media at end of post).
12/12/23 Romeo and Denver (Anne Badgley reference photo) |
12/17/23 Bernie (Richard Becker reference photo) |
12/17/23 Kuzya (Jeff Durand reference photo) |
This was my first attempt at using watercolor pencils, and I was pleased that the cover stock took well to them. I used a black Polychromos only for the eyes and mouth, where I wanted a sharper point. |
I sketched both Lucky and Maggie (at right) with black and gray 0.5 Uni Pin technical pens -- a great combo for animals. |
Back to a Bic ballpoint for Bernie, which was the first pen I tried on a Birch Bark cover. |
These are great and what a fun idea!
ReplyDeleteIt's turning out to be an ideal winter sketching pastime!
DeleteI love how these are coming out. You've got a knack for capturing these little guys.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved sketching animals... I don't know why I hadn't done many pets until now!
DeleteI can see a show of these at The Bridge Coffeehouse or a similar venue, Tina. It definitely will delight many. -Roy
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roy! I am giving them away too fast to have a show! ;-) But I know that the pet owners are delighted to receive them.
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