Kim, my cousin's Siamese, taken from a photo dated 1982. There are two things I resolved never to do after drawing this - never use a fuzzy old photo and try and draw details I can't actually see and never start more than one drawing at a time. I also changed the eyes which were half closed in the photo so this probably looks nothing like Kim! I had to use a lot of other reference photos to see how the hairs grew around the body, how cats ears look inside, and the paws look front on.The reason it took so long too is that I started two other drawings at the same time and this is my number one 'no no'! I simply cannot concentrate knowing their are other drawings ready to shade. I'm not even sure if this is finished (I'm not completely happy with the face or the paws) or whether I just got fed up with looking at it and procrastinating.
Part of my dissatisfaction may come from reading Anthony Ryder's book and comparing my work, which looks flat, with his, which are exquisite. My Amazon package arrived yesterday and suddenly I'm in the mood for Christmas! All the shops look very festive and I hear that there is a Christmas market in Carouge - I can't wait to see it!
Anyway, at the end of it, I think this came out better than I had been expecting. I thought of binning it half way through! Now I need to do something quick and sketchy!
19 comments:
I think Kim looks stunning you shouldn't be so hard on yourself.
Goodness, Felicity, there is nothing flat about your work. This Siamese cat is stunning -- the whiskers, the hair, the look in his eyes... and he looks like my cat in France! I am humbled by your drawings.
Wagonized
Just stunning Felicity!! Just like everything you do. Gorgeous cat-makes me want one just like her.
Beautiful drawing! A graceful cat, with soft hair and a smart face: so very Siamese, really!
Felicity -- your work is always so outstanding that I can't imagine thinking it was flat! But I do know how it feels (at least for me) when I am trying to achieve something and not reach my goal ... but know that I think your work is so exquisitely done that NOTHING you could say would change what I see thru my eyes ..
Felicity -- your work is always so outstanding that I can't imagine thinking it was flat! But I do know how it feels (at least for me) when I am trying to achieve something and not reach my goal ... but know that I think your work is so exquisitely done that NOTHING you could say would change what I see thru my eyes ..
My parents have a blue point who is really a beauty. He reminds me of this cat! I did some quick sketches...wiggly little guy but nothing so nice as this juicy long study.
I just noticed your Escher-like photo of yourself. Very cool and how did you do that?
it's always a delight to see your beautiful drawings! great work! ;)
It's a wonderful cat drawing. I feel I could reach out and feel the texture of his fur. Beautiful.
Good heavens, your drawing is beautiful...amazing that you are not pleased. But we are our own worst critics aren't we.
Kim's portrait is very beautiful - I love hre pose!
your cat drawings are superb, so detailed and realistic!
Wow! This is so beautiful. She looks so soft and realistic. I love that soft chest fur and her demur but fetching expression.
Another cracker Felicity! He's very beautiful indeed. As a beginner at this drawing lark, I'm amazed at how you get the fine effects of fur etc. Is he one for the website?
I don't think you need to worry about volume in the drawing itself. I think that the only area which might look flat is the upper chest, and that only because there is no background or foreground for context. It's the same effect you would get if you cut a photograph out and put it on a blank sheet.
Perhaps your worries about the head and feet are because you altered what was in the source. I suspect that it's twitchiness, and unnecessary. The whole is just a delight.
Thanks for the encouraging comments!
Olga, you are right to mention the background. The original photo has a dark background and the shape stands out well but I didn't want to get into that although I still think the central part of the body, being lighter, could do with some contrast there. Still mulling it over...!
Fantastic as usual, Felicity, and like Jana I really wanted to reach out and touch that chest fur.
WOW!!! simply amazing! you are incredibly talentfull! I'm impressed!
Catching up on old unread posts...this is just an aweome sketch...he looks like he could talk to you...and the yorkie is darling...great job!
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