Thursday, January 25, 2007

Finished


I've completed the drawing of the Westie and it wasn't as stressful as I'd anticipated. There's always room for improvement and I can see some areas that I'd rework, but just doing it was a good experience as I'd avoided long haired dogs wherever possible in the past.

Now the next challenge, a long haired black dog!

A friend who I met through an art forum sent me a piece of Colorfix paper that arrived today. I have wanted to try this paper which has a very fine sanded texture that works with pastels and coloured pencil. I can't wait to try it but deciding just what to draw on it is the next decision. Should I use the whole paper about 9 x 12 it looks or should I cut it into smaller pieces and experiment. I think the latter may be a good idea. I'll see what I can come up with over the next few days.

Another winter storm is due tomorrow afternoon. Not large amounts of snow but very high winds - 100- 120kpm - which makes that wonderful horizontal snow that whips into you and around you, making visibility virtually nil. I've driven in many blizzards before, not because I enjoy driving in blizzards but its usually a necessity. Blizzards don't often cooperate and start overnight, making it a simple decision at 6:30am to look out the window, go 'nawwwwwww' and head back to bed. Blizzards usually start after you've gotten to work and then you have to fight your way home at some point when everything shuts down through snow clogged city streets, sliding sideways, white knuckled at the wheel vowing to move somewhere south as soon as the airport is open again. How many days of winter are left now??

6 comments:

"JeanneG" said...

.jeannThe Westie turned out beautiful. I know you will do just as good a job on the black one.

I have never lived where there is that much snow. I freeze in California during the winter. When it snowed here in 1999 and stuck to the ground just a little over a day, everything closes down as we don't know what to do in it. We aren't equipped nor are our cars for snow. I walk with a limp already, don't fancy falling. And I know you have animals that have to be taken care of snow or not. Take care and try to stay warm. Jeanne

Anonymous said...

Absolutely adorable!

Elise said...

I can imagine a dog with their eyes covered by hair would be hard because most people want to see eyes in a picture but if you really can't see them...have you ever done one?

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks Jeanne, I'll keep practicing on long haired dogs for awhile til I get it just the way I want.

We've had 3 storms this week. I don't need more snow!

Thanks anonymous.

Elise, I haven't drawn a really hairy dog so that you can't see their eyes, but most of those breeds are pretty recognizable by their overall shape and hair formation, so it would be no different than drawing any other dog. Just less eyes! :o)

Robyn Sinclair said...

Jeanette, lovely job on the Westie! I must confess I'm envious of your snow. It is still a novelty for us.

Billie Crain said...

Excellent job on the Westie, Jeanette! i did one before joining WC. it didn't turn out nearly as well, that's for sure. good luck on the black dog. i did a short-haired black lab. no work to be done furwise. it was all highlights and dark areas. can't wait to see your long-haired dog.