I'm not sure whether to mention this but I read that there was a challenge to do a drawing a day for November so I thought I'd see if I could attempt it. I seriously doubt my ability to stick with it but perhaps, just for November I'll try and up the output a bit more! Even if I don't manage one a day I'll try to sketch more and I think I'll focus mostly on some of the very ordinary things around the house as there is usually a story attached.
The cat above is called an Exotic Shorthair which I thought would be fun to do. It was interesting to explore it's face and how it's hair grows around the face but it was also slightly disturbing to me. I have no idea what cat breeders are allowed to do and what regulations they are subject too, but I can't help but feel breeding animals to look like this is very wrong. I know breeds like Siamese that have very long narrow noses can have respiratory problems and with a nose as tiny and squashed as this, it must surely cause difficulties. I finished this one on Thursday (1st). I should point out that this is not one of the things to be found around the house!
This one was drawn in my 'blotting paper' sketchbook. It seems to absorb the graphite so that I have to go over and over in soft pencil to get dark values and any sort of sharpness or precision is out of the question - which makes it ideal for very quick sketches. I can smudge instead of hatching which makes for less fussing. I had thought I had gone off this sketchbook but now I'm changing my mind again! These are dried oranges and limes I saw in a supermarket last week. I love those deep cuts, the patterns they make and how the flesh inside has become very dark in contrast. I put them in a wooden bowl which I think I should draw separately as that has quite an interesting story behind it.
This morning, before getting out of bed, I drew this little guy. Alex went on a school trip earlier this year, had a great time even though it was quite rigorous, and yet still thought of his Mum and brought this back for me! So naturally it has pride of place on my bedside table. Another quick sketch on the 'blotting paper' in HB pencil.
13 comments:
Don't you imagine that cat must snore like mad? Wow - that is a nose a bulldog would envy. :D
And yes - re: your comment on my blog - we are Kimi fans here - and Ferrari fans. He's come so close so many times and had such a lot of bad luck - it was just his time. I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Hamilton, though - especially the way he outdrove Sr. Alonso at just about ever turn. No me gusta Fernando! :D Lewis has PLENTY of years left to win the championship, and I have no doubt he will!
This is a great start to your drawing a day plan! I particularly enjoyed seeing your drawing of the dried limes and orange slices. I just bought a bag of dried limes (at Pottery Barn) and drew them last week. But I like yours much better!
Gorgeous drawings!
It's a pug in feline form!
A month of your drawings? You know *I* won't complain!
So happy to hear you are going to do a drawing a day, well, at least try. You art is always so inspiring.
That is the strangest cat I have ever seen!!
Felicity! What patience you have to create such perfection! From tiny hairs to the softest of furs -- magnificent!!!!!! I am always blown away by the wonder you wield with your pencil! WOW!
I admire your drawing skill very much, especially your ability to portray texture. The drawing of the cat drew my attention because I had a "first" yesterday; I went to a cat show. I had never seen an exotic shortheair before, but yesterday I held one. I have to saw those pushed in faces don't appeal to me, but this cat was sweet. Have you ever seen a Selkirk? They have curly hair, as if they have had a permanet wave. That would be a challenge to draw.
Nice drawings! I like how much depth and volume they seem to have. Good luck with the drawing a day...I really should get back into that habit again also.
The cat is magnificent, Felicity. I thought at first he'd spent too long with his nose pressed up against a goldfish bowl! Fancy breeds always worry me - lots of problems for the poor animals. Thank goodness Old English Sheepdogs must, by law, now have their tails.
Very much looking forward to a drawing a day from you.
Wonderful drawings! I do feel sorry for that poor kitty!
So many beautiful drawings! The dried oranges and limes are gorgeous. I know what you mean about giving up on a sketchbook then going back to it; I've got several partially filled books.
I have a regular old short hair cat. He was feral born, and he has a regular nose and sometimes I can hear him whistling thru his nose. Can't imagine how that little guy breathes. Your sketches are wonderful. You really have the fur down pat. I am still working on that. Hair and fur are hard!
Thanks very much, Phthaloblu - and it's lovely to get a comment on something I drew way back! My aunt had a cat whose nose whistled too. He did sound sweet, but it can't be very comfortable.
Hmm, I think doing a drawing a day might be a good idea right now to get me going...!
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