wildcat - step by step

First I drew the lion, from a photo reference on pixabay (free image site), with a 6B pencil, trying to be as loosey-goosey as possible. I do try to keep the structure of the subject while making big confident lines. 

Next, I start with the eyes. I like to paint them together, not one at a time because eyes work as a pair. It's easy to get off balance if you focus on only one eye, then the other. Work the eyes together. I don't finish the eyes though... just get some darks and lights in them. 

Working down the page, darks and lights, transparent and opaques. I never liked painting washes in watercolour. I can never get the washes dark enough and contrasty enough. I end up having to do many washes... I prefer this more direct approach.

The whiskers wrap around the muzzle, helping bring the mouth forward. Saving the highlights in the eyes as I finish them up. Then, a few calligraphy marks and... my friend is finished!

Pencil Portraits

I looooove to draw so, even when there isn't time to paint, I always find time to draw. These are 6B pencil studies from my sketchbooks. I use the Faber-Castell 9000 Jumbo pencils because they are so nice to hold, and kinda 'chunky' with some weight to them. ; )

Here's a pic -

a couple of sketchbook pages

 Today, with my 8x10" sketchbook, I finished a page of little pencil portraits.
And over the holidays, I had fun sketching some elephants. (Baby elephants are so frickin' cute!)

some sketches

Here are a few recent sketches. Two are drawn with 6B pencil and the middle one is a watercolour with no drawing first. Just went for it with pink and green paint, which is very rare for me. I don't normally use much green in faces, but after doing that piece, I've added green to my palette.

N.B. I am away for a short vacation. : ) All purchased paintings will be shipped on Tuesday April 25th. Thanks for your patience. 

Sketchbook - animal pages

My March sketchbook is filling up nicely. I love to draw draw draw, but it doesn't leave much time to paint paint paint! ; )

sketchbook

Here are a few pages from my March sketchbook. 

I use 6B pencil or .07mm mechanical pencil, depending on my mood that day. Except for the last page, I drew the portraits from life. 
I used to draw everything on newsprint, because the inexpensive paper kept my drawings loose. But now I've got random saved pieces of newsprint kicking about... 

As of March, I decided to keep a sketchbook. It seems to be forcing me to take more care with my drawings, which is great. I do believe that it's all about the drawing. And, being tight and specific in sketchbooks is helping me draw confidently and loosely when approaching watercolour paper. : )

Meerkats! - YouTube sketching videos

I've posted 4 quick videos (about 1 minute each) of me sketching on my YouTube Channel. Click here to see the others!
This is one of my favourites, of two meerkats! Enjoy.

1 minute video of me sketching

Recently, while at a cafe, I made a little video of myself sketching with a 6B pencil.
I can't seem to get the video to upload here... so click the link and you can check it out on my instagram page! 
https://www.instagram.com/noramacphailart/
It's also on my Facebook page. Meanwhile, I'll figure out how to make the clip file smaller so blogger will accept it next time, since I plan to do more!  : p

Willow dale Group of Artists Portrait Session

On Tuesday nights, at the Willowdale Group of Artists, the artists pose for each other for 40 minutes each (two sessions of 20). It's a great way to get lots of portrait practise so, if you belong to an art group, I highly recommend this approach. : ) 

Very happy with this one. Just had to touch up the bottom of his beard with pencil line when I got home.

Don Valley Art Club Portrait Session

I spent the day at the Don Valley Art Club, where we artists model for each other for one 25 minute session each. I managed 4 watercolour portraits and I like this one the best. Great exercise! 

in the swim of things

SOLD

Another polar bear! I rarely do a wash over an entire painting but I thought I'd give it a go with this one. 

$60 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat

Sketching Sidney

I heart donkeys!! They are a bit rough around the edges, kinda unpredictable and they might even dare to bite you. So cute!!

CLICK HERE to see more animal sketches on my flickr page.

for a friend

Just as the title states, I painted this for a friend. : )

hand studies with a friend!

I had a friend help me out with my hand studies this week. : )

A few portraits

Here are a few watercolour portraits from my last Life Drawing Session. The model was wonderful, but hard to capture. These short poses, about 5-10 minutes, were drawn with pencil, then I added watercolour to the shadow side, trying to keep it all one interesting shape. 

life drawing session

A few pages from my last life drawing session. Short poses in pencil and one long pose in watercolour. 

Happy Halloween!

I did a page of scared and scary faces for my 'Halloween Homework'. Enjoy!

Hey friend

SOLD

Big red poppies are my favourite flower, both to look at and to paint. I figured a few lemons would make good company.

$50 - 5"x7"painting with 8"x10"mat. Ready for an 8"x10" frame.

practise

2 minute gestures

5 minute gestures

30 minute pose

This wonderful model was not grumpy... I don't know why he looks it in my last drawing! These were all done with conte on newsprint. Also, a quick sketch done before class in 6B pencil. Click on images to enlarge.