Monday, June 27, 2011

Coyote - the drawing



I've decided to do the larger version of the coyote study that I sketched a few days ago.  This is on a half sheet of mouse grey mi-tientes paper - the smooth side.  I'm using pastels for a change - a combination of sticks for initial broad values and pencils for detail.

As usual, I start with the eyes.  If the gaze looks right, the rest will generally fall into place around it.  I know I should be disciplined and work left to right for this, but I'm all over the place, adding shape and colour as it suits me.  It will all work out in the end provided I keep remembering to use my hand shield.

11 comments:

Barbara Philip said...

I love this coyote, the eyes are wonderful, I even saved that other half face of a coyote, from a previous post of yours. Have you ever tried to stretch coloured pastel paper in the same way as you stretch watercolour paper? I have done it for years, and it gives you the flexibility of being able to use watercolour, gouache and pastel on one picture. It works so well! Good luck with the progress of your coyote, I look forward to the finished picture!!

vivien said...

looking good :>)

and I'm the same - I start with the eyes and bone structure around them and then work outwards

Jeanette Jobson said...

Barbara, thanks, I'm glad you're enjying the start of the coyote. Same principle as the study just on a larger scale.

I haven't tried stretching this type of paper previously. But I'm going to have a try with it now you've mentioned it. It never occurred to me previously to be honest.

Vivien, that seems to be the logical point as the eyes really are the focal point, aren't they?

Sadami said...

Dear Janette,
Wow, your drawings and paintings are so beautiful, based on wonderful drawing skills. Thank you for sharing them.
Kind regards, Sadami

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thank you Sadami. Drawing's my first love, I'm glad you're enjoying them.

suzanneberry said...

this is coming along beautifully! i start with the eyes and build around them too! i figure they are the most important part and if they work the rest will fall into place. lovely work!

Jennifer Rose said...

very intense real looking eyes :D

Teresa Mallen said...

Hi Jeanette, it has been a while. I am enjoying reading through your posts to see what I have missed - a tremendous amount of fabulous art for one thing! :-) Love the coyote. I am in awe of folks who can command such wonderful control over pastels. I tend to overwork and smoosh things a bit much. LOL Now, back to those older posts...oh and have a wonderful Canada Day holiday weekend!

Jeanette Jobson said...

You're right Suzanne, you have to get the eyes right or it just won't work, will it?

Thanks Jennifer, glad its looking that way.

Teresa! Wonderful to hear from you. I was wondering the other day how you were.

Yes, the art goes on and on. How about with you? Are you still drawing? And what of the goats and chickens? Tell all and have a fabulous Canada Day too!

Teresa Mallen said...

Thanks for thinking of me! Goats and chickens are all well. I am back in the blogging world so the critters shall be once again making their world wide web appearances. Oh and there shall be art too of course! :-) Hey, William and Kate are here, well, in Ottawa, not at the farm..LOL You can imagine the stir the city is in.

The Art of Kim Kincaid said...

I'm liking the way his face is slowly emerging forward from the page. Toned paper is so fun. I can tell already that this is going to be a wonderful rendering.