Grasshopper

Last weekend it was 40 degrees. So what do you do when the weather gets "nice" in the Midwest winter? Go to the zoo! I bought this little 5x7 spiral bound note book.  What makes it special is that it's made of elephant pooh (makes you want to wash your hands)! The little card that comes with it says its handcrafted with a mixture of elephant dung and rice paddy.  It was pulped to perfection by the elephants of Sri Lanka.  As you might imagine it's a course paper so I thought my carbon pencils and pastels will work great on it.  You do have to be careful with pressure and erasing.  It's on the delicate side. I've decided to do zoo pics in it as one might expect. They sell larger sheets in different colors on their website. Once I get used to it I may do larger pic! http://www.mrelliepooh.com/

USMWF

So the Memorial picture I did for my sister-in-law is now done.  I took it over to her house and spent some time with her side of the family on the one year anniversary of her Uncle Bobby's death (upper left). Sadly to report the next day a similar work related accident happened taking the life of another gentleman. http://www.journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/article_a428f546-0dcc-11df-86f1-001cc4c03286.html

Belle

"Belle" won an Honorable Mention in the 2010 ANAC competition 13 June! http://www.nebraskaartclubs.com/
Finished! Not a lot of difference from the last post though.  I'm thinking I don't want to title it just with her name. Boring! Her AKC name is Princess Honey Belle. Or I could go with BFF more girly than man's best friend.  She's an English Labrador, that's boring. Any suggestions? My next project I already started yesterday for my sister-in-law/. Check it out next post!

Belle

As some of you know my dog here, Belle, was attacked on Friday by the neighbors St. Bernard that jumped our fence.  She's doing fine. Thanks to the fast action of my husband she only has one puncher wound in her thigh.

As for the drawing I think only one more post will do it!

Belle

 I thought with this post I'd give you a little insight on how I work. Normally I crop my pic to what it will look like under a mat. This is done on 14x17 Bristol Vellum but my actual finished product size is Approx. 8x10.  In the upper right are notes to myself on what materials I used,  process I employed and in what order. When I switch to a different media for an extended time I need a little reminder of how I did things. In the lower right is my "graphite/carbon farm" a technique I use that I didn't realize others used until I read some use the term graphite farm.  I apply graphite and or carbon here then pick it up with my stubs to apply to my drawing. Don't forget to label each patch of graphite/carbon with it's lead hardness H, HB etc. Be careful to keep the area around it free graphite/carbon dust. I use my kneaded eraser frequently to clean all around my drawing.  You could use a separate piece of paper for the graphite/carbon farm to help keep your drawing clean but you'll still want to keep the area around it clean as possible.

Belle

Got a little more done if you can tell. Really not a lot left but it should make a dramatic difference  when done. So I changed the look of my blog page.  Do you think it looks good or too busy?

Belle

Started getting a little worried about the snout but am pleased with how it's coming along now. I can't wait to get more of the little whiskers in. Her nostrils look a little off to me but in the photo they look the same way. I might just have to take some artistic license and give her a nose job!

Belle

Another day another eye. Also a little work on the fine hairs to see how it's going to work out.

Belle

Wow I love what the carbon pencil did for the eye! Who'd a thought you could spend 2 hours on an eye. It was worth it though.