When I was a child I had a vivid imagination that worked in several ways. Part of it was simple childhood brain development and experimentation, part was an escape mechanism. Funny thing is, that while I presume most of the brain development is over with at my advanced years, the escape mechanism still works beautifully.
Drawing is a bit like reading a book. It can take you into a new world, it can take the pictures in your head and put them onto paper. It can bring places, people and animals to you, morph them, place them in odd situations or scenes and made very ordinary scenes extraordinary.
One of my favourite illustrators is James Gurney of Gurney Journey, who has a magical mix of reality and fantasy that is the ultimate in escapism for adults and children. His drawings of Dinotopia are exquisite and finely detailed that bring you to places and show you things that you have not even considered previously.
This puppy is a little bit of escapism or wishful thinking. I'd like a puppy, but for a variety of reasons, I can't have one, so I made do with the next best thing - a drawing or the start of one. It was past time I drew an animal and I'm still fixated on the earthbound sketchbook and the lovely brown paper.
14 comments:
What a great beginning! I can hardly wait to see how this painting turns out.
I love dogs, too. We're too busy at this point in our lives to justify getting another dog. One day though, I will.
This is very cute already. It's all in the eyes and you've captured the essence of puppyhood beautifully :)
This is just fantastic. Such a look on his face.
It's 'Gurney', not Guerney - in the link tag and the labels.
Amazing! The eyes and nose set the personality of that little puppy just exactly -- you could almost get by with just those features and no further drawing!!
I love Dinotopia, the paintings are always so gorgeous and full of so much detail its almost like the place is real :)
hmm maybe thats why I draw horses and dragons so much? Because I really want one lol (the dragon can sleep on the couch :p)
Thanks Bonny. I think that dogs demand time and attention and that I can't give either right now as well as other reasons. Meanwhile this little guy will do. :)
He looks eager to get out for sure Jo. I should have an update tonight I hope.
Anonymous, thanks for being my spell check. My French side always comes through and adds 'e' to words.
Chris, I always start with the eyes. If they are right everything else seems to fall into place after that. That and the nose do make the visual that say dog.
Yes Dinotopia is fabulous Jennifer. I wish my imagination worked like that, but it doesn't.
Horses and dragons are a good mix, similar body shapes. A dragon on the sofa might be a bit of a squeeze. Then again, you could make a small one to sit there, you know one of those wooden cutouts that is painted?
Oh my! This puppy is soooo cute! The eyes draw you into it's lovely face.
Awww! Who wouldn't want this puppy? He is adorable. I dream of having a dog lay by my feet keeping me company while I paint, but I can't get past all the other responsibility that comes with a pet.
I laughed when I read that Jennifer was going to let her dragon sleep on the couch. Either she is planning on keeping a baby dragon or she has a very large couch!!
Adorable puppy, Jeanette! Dogs do come with more responsiblity. I think that's why most artists have cats.
I grew up an only child so I know how important the imagination can be to a child. The trick is hanging onto it into adulthood.
lol Stacy :D its a small couch, so the dragon's tail would be dragging on the floor lol
a wooden one is a great idea Jeanette :D
Puppies are so addictive Valerie. Those eyes get you every time!
You're right Stacy, dogs are a big and long term responsibility. I had one for 16 years and enjoyed him but now is not a good time to go there as much as I'd like another.
Keeping creativity into adulthood is a challenge. Seems if you do it, people call you crazy. And yes cats are much more independent Billie. Mostly. Then there's Tripod -Mr Needy.
Jennifer, you just HAVE to make a dragon now, you know that don't you? :)
Love this post and LOVE this drawing. You could call it finished right now, but I'll keep watching! BTW, you've been a wonderful motivator and cheerleader.
just need to find some wood now to make a dragon :D
Thanks so much Rhonda for the kind words.
Thar be dragons in the Fuzzy household soon methinks....hehehe
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