Artist's Drawing & Inspiration
The Beauty of the Cows
With great attention to her subjects, this artist creates a wonderful portrait.
STEP ONE
As my drawing will be a compilation of a few photographs, I map out a quick sketch to help me visualise what it may look like. This is only a guide; I find I like to change things to better suit what I am working towards. I also chose my light direction at this stage.
STEP TWO
I normally draw a rough border around the outside to remind myself where the mat will sit for framing and then proceed to draw over this in most cases. I then start with rough block shapes to allot areas and then begin to define the actual shapes of my subject.
STEP THREE
I wanted to make one cow the feature so I started with the nose. It gives me a reference point to set the rest of my values by. I was fascinated by the shin on the nose and wanted to replicate the paws etc. I let my pencil do tiny squiggles and erased a few spots as highlights to show the sun catching the surface.
STEP FOUR
Next I worked the eyes and ears, again to balance the darker values. And then began to establish line direction for the fur, leaving to top of the head until later.
STEP FIVE
The body was brought in next. Again, attention was paid to the direction of hair. The fur took six layers to complete. First I laid down a layer and then with a } freshly cut eraser, brought highlights back into the fur, (one layer) then another layer of small directional lines etc. Do this with a mechanical pencil to maintain stroke with and conformity. I also started to place some shadowy marks on top of the head.
I darkened under the ear on the right as I wanted to see if I would do the next cow very dark. The idea was to use the contrast to push the first cow forward.
STEP SIX
Next the second cow. Although dark, I still maintained short directional strokes. I looked to the main highlights to shape this cow. I am happy to leave her left side dark in the shadow.
STEP SEVEN
The shed was next. I first established
the lines of the panel work to give me a feel of direction. Next I worked on the roof. Focusing on shadow I shaded with pencil and then smoothed the line with a blending stump, being careful again of the direction of the lines.
STEP EIGHT
Here I began to put detail into the timber: cracks, nails, and broken panels. I lightly shaded the timer, blended with a stump and then built up more detail.
STEP NINE
The silo is softly blended in over light pencil stroke, getting lighter where the sun is hitting.
STEP TEN
Fence posts are now added in beginning stages. I need some reference in the foreground to see how I should proceed with the upper part of the drawing.
STEP ELEVEN
Sky is added with a blending stump and trees to add some interest. I darken the post on right to start to move it forward.
STEP TWELVE
I add the second roof on the left to see how far I need to come down with the sky on the left. I am looking for balance and a pleasing line leading through the drawing.
STEP THIRTEEN
Dark shadowed walls are added to make the first cow’s head stand out.
Height has been added to the cow’s head to tip its head forward so it’s looking at you more squarely.
At this point I decide to highlight the chest on the darker side of the dark cow.
FINAL STEP
Nearly finished. I step back and look at composition, tones etc. I decided there was too much vacant space in front of the shed, so a sleeping calf is added for interest. I darken shadowing in front of the shed and anchor the calf with a shadow. The post to the right is given more shadow.
For all enquiries please contact: Colleen Palmer
Email: colleenmpalmer@gmail.com
Ph: 0408 652 396