Black on Grey on White

"Anton", Pencil on Paper 21x26 cm. A week with Anton  has come to an end, sadly, he was great company. A handsome fellow. Above is the finished portrait, below the steps I took to get there. Step 5:  Carried on working out the nose and forehead. Will also do more work on detailing the eye. Step 6: I've decided to add a mini twist to the perfect pose. Saliva. I feel this will give the portrait that little extra, an unexpected difference. Close up of the saliva in progress..not full sloppy drool but a decent quantity and annoyingly there. Step 8: Moving on  to the ears, will tweak nose, muzzle and saliva later!   Step 9: More work on ear, darkened all the values, tweaked a little here and there.  Added more depth by working on the mid tones. Added detail with a very sharp 2B. Try as I may, my scanner will just not pick up the very fine detailed pencil work. One thing I did forget to do:time myself...the first question I am usually asked. Not to worry! I'll just have to

The rain came and stayed and really dampened any urge I may have had to peek outside. Instead, like a turtle, I have stayed curled up in my studio and spent some quality time with Anton. Here for you viewing are a few more steps into our new relationship. I am using Hahnemuehler Nostalgie paper and my clutch pencil filled with 2B and 3B Staedler. The three steps above show how I am working out the lay of the hair on the side of his nose as well as trying to achieve depth. I have still a detail layer to add to his nose. I will do this after establishing the rest of his face and eye. Cheerio for now, I'm back up to the studio for another session with my new gorgeous friend...

After last week's excitement with soluble graphite, I have gone back to familiar territory for my latest commission. Anton is on the drawing board.  He is a gorgeous gentle and noble Ridgeback. Here for your viewing is the result of the very first 20 minutes work.  I always start with the eyes and if I feel they are coming alive carry on with the drawing working from left to right.  I feel they (Anton's eyes) are alive enough to work from here over the next few days. I will post more steps with technical details as they come along. (Off now to catch some shut eye before the sunrises.... ciao ciao )