Black cat
Cat & mouseI've had this idea of drawing a black cat in my head for ages and have finally gotten around to putting it down on paper. I used Artagain paper, white charcoal and Prismacolour pencils. As today is Drawing Day, it seemed a good time to tackle this idea. This is the original study for the piece. I will create this on a 22 x 30 sheet and see how it turns out.
Originally it was intended to be just the cat, then the mouse sort of came into being. It could have a macabre ending - or not - depending on how the story plays out in your head.
Today I bought a new laptop as my old one was getting slower and slower. This one has all the bells and whistles as well as a 17 inch high resolution screen which is much better for viewing art on. I've spent most of the afternoon installing programs and updates and re-finding links and sites.
I also woke with a horrible cold today and feel awful so I spent the afternoon in bouts of sorting the laptop, sneezing, napping and drawing. I've been trying to get a good image of this drawing without a lot of success. They all come out a little blurry or too light. Black paper......ahhhhh
16 comments:
I just bought a laptop with a lovely fat screen like that too. My husband calls it a beast (just under seven pounds). I said well, yes, but it is also a beauty. I love the screen and what I can do with all that real estate and the keyboard.
The cat and mouse is a very clever idea! Nicely executed as well.
Lucky you on the laptop. I am working on a verrrry slow desktop. Even adding DSL internet connection didn't help much.
I hardly ever do anything on black for the reason of scanning or taking a picture. I have no luck with black at all.
I just did a picture of a blue greyhound for a friend for her son. It had to be put down a few weeks ago. I forgot and put on a black mat before scanning. Now it looks awful. I don't want to take it off so will probably have to settle.
Great job on the cat. I don't like mice so won't talk about it. You just about freaked me out when you photo'd the mouse in the bucket a while ago. I hope you feel better soon. They say whiskey will kill a cold, I'll never know, its disgusting. A man at the meat counter told me to get a jalapeno pepper with stripes on it and eat it raw. Has to have the striations or stripes. Won't be trying that either.
Beautiful job on the cat and mouse. I like that idea.
We've had cold going around here lately too.
Hope you feel better. Great drawing and congrats on the laptop.
Its a real improvement on my old laptop,that's for sure!
I'll start work on the large version today if I can.
Wel, I've been saving for this laptop Jeanne. And its paid for completely out of money I made from art. I like that.
You could always start the greyhound again I know its a pain but if you aren't complete pleased with it, it might be worth it.
I don't have fear of mice, I think they're rather cute, but the are a pest in the barn.
Thanks Sydney. Must have been my turn to catch something :)
Thank you Jo. Its great to have a new machine that actually does something when you press keys!
I really like this Jeanette, the eye is beautifully 3D. I'm having a happy eding for the mouse:).
I vote for a happy ending for the mouse too! :)
This is so charming as a concept, Jeanette and as Gayle says, the 3D eye is beautiful. Gorgeous work.
Enjoy your new laptop, you've earned it the hard (but most satisifying) way! I'd love a bigger screen but if I go for an upgrade - it would be a Mac and then my Photoshop CS/Illustrator suite of software wouldn't run on it. I don't know if you've checked the price for the new Photoshop lately.... :(
i love, love, love this black cat! the mouse is the perfect touch.:) i'm trying to picture this on a full sheet. it'll cetainly have have impact! i may have to give this a go myself. i've wanted to do a portrait of Raven, my cat that passed away last summer. i think i'm ready. i just didn't quite know how to go about it because she was black.
summer colds are a bugger.:( i don't have any remedies to recommend other than time and rest. oh, and drink lots of fluids.
gorgeous - I love the way the cat dissolved into the darkness of the paper.
I just wondered how our Paddy got all the way over there to model for you? ;>)
I'll have a happy ending too please - although Paddy is a horribly efficient mouser
Thanks Gayle. I love drawing eyes so they tend to be the first thing I tackle in a portrait. Now let's see if I can translate this onto a large sheet...
This seemed to flow off the pencils Robyn, as some drawings do. I enjoyed doing it.
I toyed with buying a Mac, but my pennies wouldn't run to it :( Oh yeah, photoshop is soooooooooooo expensive.
Billie, the black paper support would be perfect for a portrait of Raven! I really think you should do that. You're so good at cats, it would be fabulous.
I'm wrapped up on the sofa today, drugging myself and drinking coffee. Today's better, but not fabulous.
Vivien, I think black cats must have an advantage in stealth or something. They do seem to be very good mousers. Paddy would be very busy in the barn...
Jeanette,
Love this...the cat, the mouse...perfect. You're right about how it ends. It's the viewers story.
I gave up my laptop some time ago...have a flat screen now, wish it was bigger but $$. I've become accustomed to it and just deal with the small size.
Black backgrounds are difficult to reproduce...I do a considerable amount of PSE work to get mine to look right. Hope you get to feeling better soon. Summer colds are the worst.
Wow! Full of drama and mystery. Looks great!
This drawing is absolutely awesome! Very striking. I think the cat and mouse are friends.
I hope you are feeling better Jeanette. This is a great image.
I love my laptop, I hope yours gives you as many years of pleasure as mine has.
Oh... and I forgot to comment on the Laguna drawing. That was a fun day.
Marsha, yes black is so difficult to capture. Everything affects the outcome it seems. Perhaps a larger screen will be in your future soon.
Its fun to hear everyone's interpretation of the ending Teresa!
Thank you Laurel. I'm trying to find time to get started on the large version of this and I'm dying to do so just not enough hours in the day this week.
Yes, the cold is improving Robin, I'm glad you like the drawing. It was fun to do.
This is my second laptop and while having earned the money for the first, this one was earned with dedicated art dollars so it means more to me.
Yes, I really enjoyed that day. It was one of those days that stays in my memory bank that I can pull out and it makes me smile.
Hi Jeanette,
This is gorgeous!
I hope by this time your cold has gone.
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