Meerkat Coloured Pencil Tutorial ~ Part 2

In Part One I mainly concentrated on eyes. In this second part, I will show a much closer look at the fur.

Although to begin with, from the last time, I did darken up the eyes just a shade, they were looking a little freaky!
So I am now progressing towards large areas of fur and have to say initially, this can look pretty messy! In fact quite a lot like scribble ;)
Although some of the strokes I am going to show you like quite wide, very small thin gentle strokes are best, these look quite broad because I am zooming in.
Firstly get a few in in the direction of the fur. You will remember that in Part One, I had already used white, now I am using pink, lilac and grey.




I also apply a light layer of pink across all of him and some tan and cerise coloured strokes. I personally find it easier to work from light to dark.
This is a super zoom close up view of my scribble!



It is now time to start adding some depth. So I begin to add brown in the shadows. If you find it difficult to work out where the shadows lie, then print out your reference in black and white. It can make a difference to be able to see where the dark patches naturally fall.



For the darker areas, I add black stokes too but also use brown softly across the shadows. Now, this bit can take some time, there are a lot of pencil strokes in here to achieve the look I want. I find it quite therapeutic although a lot of people seem to want to rush this stage. The centre of his body is darker and I use a blending pencil on here too so that his skin looks nice and even. You will notice I don't use a blending pencil on the fur.
These photographs have been taken on various settings so you can pick out the pencil strokes as much as possible. You may have to click on them to get a really good look.



In this next stage, I first of all use a Jakar eraser to take out some fur strokes across the body and infill with white CP. However, as I mentioned in the comments in part one, I messed up choosing this light a colour paper for this subject and the white highlights were not showing up as well as they would if I had chosen a darker colour. So a little improvisation again and I used the white glaze Sakura pen to provide some highlights, cheating I know but what the heck!



Now some where in all of this, I decided his mouth was too low and his one ear too high, so I rubbed out the offending bit and adjusted them..just in case the eagle eyed amongst you spot the left ear coming down a tad. I find that these adjustments are all part of it really, as times goes on you get a feel for what is working and can see problem areas as you progress, this does take a little practice but gets easier.
Now, at this stage, the background is offending me because it needs to be a little more subtle, it is detracting from the subject. So I get a cotton bud and dip it in Sansador and gently work in circles to dissolve the coloured pencil into a more blended background. Take care not to catch the ear because we don't want the black to blend into the pink.



When the background is dry which may take a while, I add his other whiskers using the bic biro.





I wouldn't call him finished yet, no doubt, I will tat with him for a few more days yet as I see things that require a little improvement. I still have a few areas to slightly darken down. But, I think that is as far as I can go with the tutorial, I hope if you have come across it that it has been helpful.

Meerkat Coloured Pencil Tutorial ~ Part 1

I have never undertaken a tutorial but I am forever saying to Andy that I think that most people have the ability to be able to produce a piece of reasonable quality artwork. He disagrees and says that there has to be some talent to start with, I simply think that there need to be the desire to create and a little patience to practice more than anything else.

Anyway, I do think I have posted up plenty of works in progress, so for a change I thought I would post this one up as a step by step tutorial explaining the processes along the way. I would anticipate spending about 20 -30 hours on a piece like this so if it is your first time using coloured pencils, be aware that they are not a quick medium to work with.

For this piece of work I am using the back of Daler rowney murano paper. The paper on this side is slightly smoother that the front. I am using a mix of Faber polychromo and Derwent Coloursoft colour pencils.



I have used a photo that was taken by Andy, he likes Meerkats and I think this shows in the resultant image which was taken at Dudley zoo. It is quite a basic shape and I simply drew it out spending some time on the eye and nose location. I don't use the grid method preferring to simply draw but the grid method would probably work quite well with this image if you lack the confidence to draw the shape.



At this point I also put in the whiskers with a pencil and the very edge of the fur. This can be rubbed out later but provides an edge to work to for the background.

In this case I used different pinks for the background. I sharpened the coloured pencils first and then used the pencil on its side very lightly using the cross hatching pencil strokes I have put on about three layers either alternating between a fuchsia pink colour and a lighter shade. I prefer to use the coloursoft pencils for this sort of work as they seem to provide a more even finish. If anyone wants me list the actual colour numbers, please shout up :)

Following on from this I start work using a Polychromo white CP. You will be unable to see it here, but I probably spent in the region of two hours or so, putting in white hairs fairy evenly across the entire Meerkat paying particular attention to the very light areas. I use strokes that match the length and direction of the fur. It IS time consuming to say the least but it does pay dividends later. I use the Polychromo pencil because it is slightly harder so provides a crisper hair so to speak. I keep the pencil well sharpened and twist it around as I am using it to vary the strokes.

When I feel as though sufficient white is in place to begin, I make a start on the eyes. I know that some people leave these until last but I always need to get some life into my subject, it seems to help me bring the subject to life.
There are several things that I always keep in my mind with eyes. Firstly, I remember that eyes are round. I read this in a computer graphic tutorial once and it stayed with me. You may only be able to see a small proportion of the eye but, the eye in the eye socket is round! In this case, it also looks as though the eye colour is black. If you colour in the area black, you will end up with a flat rendition. Firstly I note where the highlights of the eye falls and ensure that I have marked them out slightly bigger than they are in reality and use white. I err on slightly bigger because it is easier to close them up a little than to open them up later.
Look at the eyes closely and see what is reflected within the highlights. In this case there are some window bars and blue skies from outside. I use a little pale blue in here at this stage where it exists.



Then for the main eye, I start off with a pale colour, usually orange or yellow, in this case it is a colour in between the two. I know this is strange but if you look closely into any eye, there are always depths of colour. These different hues contribute towards eye shine which for me is what gives soul to an animal or person.



I will add red and brown (light tan) in layers and use a burnishing pencil to blend the colours. It all starts off fairly light but graduates towards the darker colours.



Look closely at the eyes as look where the real dark colours lie, where they are, start to add dark brown. I finally finish for now by using black to highlight the really dark areas. At this stage, I use a very sharp CP and try to tighten up my lines being as accurate as possible. Use small strokes to provide the definition.



The eyes are not complete but I leave them at this stage and start to move outwards from them using white, grey and black for the eye socket. Most animals have eyelids and eyebrows and this Meerkat is no exception.
Slowly add layers for the light and dark areas. At this point I am working down from the top of the head and in the fur there is a mix of purples, pink and grey. I use all of these colours again in small strokes but also putting a light layer of mauve/purple over the area adding slightly more where his bones meet in the centre of his head. Normally the white that I have previously put in with be enough to show through and provide the white elements of the fur. However, in this case the fur is very white. To capture the effect, firstly I used a tiny Jakar eraser to take out some small strokes and infill them with white CP. Then, I cheated a little and utilised a sakura white glaze pen. Unfortunately when you apply it, it is clear so you cannot actually see how much you are applying until it dries. So I proceeded with caution adding just a little at a time in small fur strokes to show those nice white fur highlights.

I then progress to the nose, firstly putting in the white shiny highlights and the pale pink areas underneath the nostrils. Then the dark areas of the nostrils are put in using black, the lighter areas of grey are added. This is all done in sections bit by bit. It is important to take your time and really concentrate on these key features, because a deep saturation of colour is used, making it is difficult to adjust later. Again, I use a burnishing pencil lightly over the shiny area of the nose and build up a couple or three layers until I get the effect I am looking for.



At this stage, I decide to start adding in a few of his whiskers in the areas where I have been concentrating effort. Using a thin Bic biro, the whiskers have been added to the top of his head and the ones from his eyebrows! Simples! ;-)

More detail on rendering fur is available in Part Two.

Chestnut Centre, Derbyshire

The chestnut centre in Derbyshire is an otters and owls centre. It was founded in 1984 by the Heap family who also have a centre in the New forest. They provide a rehabilitation and breeding centre mainly for otters most of which are subsequently released back into the wild. It is set in 50 acres of grounds and there is a delightful walk around the park where you can observe the deer in the grounds.



They have become very accustomed to people and they come very close enabling some great photo opportunities. In fact we couldn't help laugh at one of them that was intent on following the staff cart, clearly hopeful of some kind of titbit.



Down in the valley a brooks rushes amongst the trees and there are several otter enclosures. There are also some owl aviaries together with a polecat and pine marten. We watched the otters play for hours. There are a number of different sorts to include a previously unseen (for me) giant otter.
Both Andy and I took our cameras' but a word of warning here for any other potential photographers, the enclosures are all in woodland with very limited light.
Otters are very quick and despite seeing some fantastic poses, almost everything we took came out blurred.





I realise that some people may have a lot more skill in this area but I don't think anyone would really get anything useable without using a 2.8 lens.
However, if you are planning on taking children, there is a great focus on education, the nature trails looked like fun and conservation is of great emphasis. Also, whilst it was a little annoying from a photo capture point of view, it was an excellent representation of their natural habitat.
Meantime, I better get working on my lens fund! ;)

Happenings and Awards

Firstly, I receieved two blog awards from Sammi. As they are lovely I am going to post them up. Thank You Sammi.



The Award Rules.
1. Only 3 people are allowed (to have this passed on to them).
2. Two have to be dedicated followers of your blog and the other one has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
3. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.

Well I shall go backwards as one would expect with me really ;) Sammi's blog is a fabulous crafty blog but she is also a talented artist and creates some wonderful images for rubber stamps. Stuff by Sammi can be found here. Oh, not forgetting she is also a lovely person.

Do you know, I cannot think of anyone new to my blog who lives in a different part of the world! I do think they are all in the UK! So I have chosen the most recent, who lives in a different continent, Doson. His blogspot can be found here and his poetry deserves a creative award.
I think this should also go to Lana at the Dreaming Tree and Ingrid at Kastle Kaos Drawbridge.

As always, the recipients are free to blog them or not, as they choose and what fits well with their blog.

This next one can go too all the rest of the people that come and take time to comment, well and those up above if they wish :)



Finally Jen from Fuzzy Dragons has set up a new monthly Sketch Project. The blog can be found here and tells you how you can take part. I cannot always take part in challenges/projects because of time commitments but I am going to have a go when I can. It sounds like fun and it looks as though Jen has also set up a community area so artists taking part can exchange ideas and chat :)

As for me, well I am working on a piece of art finally....have a great what is left of Sunday.
Oh, and I forgot, I finally captured a Peacock butterfly last week...in focus, it has only taken me about six months!

Skywatch Friday - Sunrise

Actually, I would be fibbing if I took the acclaim for this one, but it is lovely and worthy of Skywatch.



However, it is a sunrise, so I kind of wheedled it off Andy. I don't do mornings much, lol. Thankfully he doesn't mind sharing :D

Fuzzy Dragons Free Art Giveaway

Jen is giving everyone the opportunity to win some free art in celebration of her blogoversary. She has beeen blogging for three years!

If you would like to take part, the post can be found here

Congratulations to her :D

What is real?

Some of you will have seen in one or two of my latest blog posts that I had entered my art into some competition. Right at the beginning and rather wisely, Andy asked me why I was actually entering in the first place. It was one of those questions which I couldn't really answer.
Being unsuccessful did make me examine my reasons. I gave it some thought and knew it wasn't a financial driven compulsion. It would perhaps be more understandable if it were.
However, in my case it was more of a need to seek approval. I have spent some time evaluating this and I know that this is, in basic terms, down to some conditioning which goes way back and is quite unhealthy really.

However, whilst I was undertaking the process of examining the inside of my head (not very pretty) I came across a reference to "the Velveteen Rabbit".
Firstly, I found a link to it on Nards blog, Nards is a lady that I greatly admire and I have been reading along with her for the best part of a year or so.
I was instantly drawn in by the story of a toy rabbit. I don't think any of my current commenter's will know much about Flopsy and yet Flopsy features on my blog almost from the beginning. He was bought for me many years ago by my stepson for pennies from a rummage sale. He has been stuffed into innumerable bags and carted all around the country at different times. He lived in my pocket throughout my pregnancy with my son. So, the story grabbed my attention and I read it.



Flopsy using Nikon D80 and my favourite 70-300mm lens

Also, by chance on the same day I checked in on Soulmerlin and followed a humorous comment back to another blog, "Geoffrey's Place". When I got there I wondered why it had taken me so long to find it, it was full of things I love to read, favourite poems along with some fabulous photography which I always appreciate. And, as I was reading through, I came across an excerpt from ………"the Velveteen rabbit".
It is a beautiful story about being real, I am sure my spiritual friend Henry would have at this point be telling me, to read the thing properly and take heed. I mean just how many hints do you need? ;)



Rabbit taken at venus pool with trusty minolta Dimage

I have put numerous images of Flopsy on my blog without a lot of explanation. I have since created some artwork of him many times and used him on greetings cards, he pops up all over.
I didn't much care what people thought either, he is just there. I love him, in all his scruffiness. The people who care about me know why he matters and appreciate the background.

When I create my art of animals, I see something in their expression that inexplicably draws me to paint or draw them. Some people see what I see and some people don't. Generally the people that find their way here together with my close friends and family tell me what really matters in very way, both using constructive critique and feedback.



Rabbit taken at venus Pool with D80 and favourite lens

It is so easy to lose sight of what really matters and in my case not necessary to rely on people I don't know to judge the worth of my art.

If you would like to read the story, it is now on Geoffrey's Place in its entirety and has many other thought provoking connotations.
By the way, if I start rambling about entering any more art competitions, someone just mention, rabbits. But, inadvertently, we can all go down rabbit holes sometimes!

Artful Wood -Teddys Bunk Bed

In my post about Blist Hill victorian museum, I showed an image of Simon Crutchley turning wood. I mentioned that he had told me that he has been busy making a teddys bunk bed. I was a little intrigued to how a teddies bunk bed would look and asked him for a photograph.



Just how cool is that? I love to see excellent workmanship, I think he should be real proud of that one and it just made me smile :D
So now you know what a teddys bunk bed look like, you find out all manner of things on this blog, lol!

Some Crafting..finally. Horns of Elfland

Hi all, well here I have some crafting to make a change from my ramblings! It was quite nice to get glittery after a period of time not making anything. It was all rather theraputic and restful, which is giving me some time to think about direction in other areas.

This is a fun Christmas card, the image is from PC crafter which is a digital image provider. I just had a little fun, sticking things together as you do :D



On this one, I used a favourite stamp that I really have not used as much as I could have previously. I added some hand made paper to the back and had a good tearing session!



This one was very simple using coloured image, again from the Penny Black range, I do love this frog!



This one was made using one of my friend, Mike's beautiful drawings. I coloured the image softly and then used lots of papers and embellishments to make a big card. He named this image "The Horns of Elfland Faintly Blowing".



And, this one, well you know I simply love vintage images, so I found some vintage looking paper and had fun...be warned, I have been working with some Vintage Christmas for the next one!



Sadly, just right now, I seem to have lost heart with my art. Firstly, I really couldn't be bothered in the last week or so for whatever reason. Then, I developed plans for starting a whole wildlife series..because it is dear to my heart. However, the final blow today was that I had submitted two pieces of art to the UKCPS exhibition, which is not exactly heaving with entries. I have heard today that neither have been successful, with this is mind I have to question whether my artistic talent cuts enough mustard....some food for thought in forthcoming weeks!

Finally, we had very nice day out again today at Dudley Zoo, so now I have a couple of venues for blogging about (the Chestnut Centre in Derbyshire ..too). I will have to get my blogging head on! I mean actually writing opposed to adding notes to images ;)
I hope you all have a great weekend, it is the Shropshire model club aerobatics competition tomorrow, should be fun...especially if the high winds don't ease!

Skywatch Friday No 57 - Derbyshire Peak District

We have had a busy week this week but did take a day off to go to the Chestnut Centre in Derbyshire. More about that to follow, it was a lovely day and we were lucky enough to get some decent weather too. But, I thought this would make a good image for Skywatch, it was taken near to Castleton, Hope Valley. Happy SWF all :)

Monday's Moan, More Insects & Some Cards

I usually use my blog to promote local places of interest and businesses; especially if I have experienced good service or had a good day somewhere. Whilst I am sure that my little corner of Shropshire sounds quite idyllic, it wouldn't be right if I didn't point out some less than perfect things sometimes.
My biggest gripe over the week is that I hate it when a place that values your custom in the winter becomes a lot different in the summer. We do have a lot of tourism in the area and many people arrive and spend time locally on some of the caravan and camping sites, it is a popular destination. This in turn can create some very busy days, especially if it is nice weather at any of the eating places at a weekend.
Andy was working away last week and was due home on the Friday, in fact he didn't come home until quite late on Saturday so on the spur of the moment, we decided to go to the River and Rail at Hampton Loade. It is situated down by the ferry crossing by the River Severn and is a somewhat idyllic setting
In fact we rarely go on a Saturday preferring to go midweek and/or winter time when it is quieter as a rule.
We went early thinking that it would create less of a problem to accommodate us as we hadn't booked. However, we were informed that their new policy is that if you haven't booked, it is snacks only! Now both Andy and I have been to a few places locally where because the weather has been right, the venues have been inundated with diners. We take this on board and have always made it clear that we are happy to wait. Perhaps it is just us but, to be turned away did rankle somewhat!
The only good thing here is how brilliantly in tune Andy and I can be when something annoys us. We sat there and finished our drink and didn't really say much at all…but, when we left I knew we would never go back, it was quite amusing when we spoke later and we were both of EXACTLY the same mind.
Incidentally, we did try out a different Thai restaurant in the town which was lovely, the service was excellent too :D

On a better note I did get to see some fabulous insects this week. On a wildlife forum that I belong to, I had posted up a bit of an obscure image from last week of a butterfly high in a tree. They identified it for me as a Purple Hairstreak. Now I have never seen such a thing so this week, I had a really good look around the area and came across this.



As they normally live in the top of Oak trees, I think I was quite lucky to see her!
At the same time I also spotted this dragon fly. I think he has the most beautiful wings. I am told that it is a Four Spotted Chaser.



Finally, I have been taking so many pictures of the Common Blue butterfly, sooner or later I had to come up with a group shot.



On an entirely different note, I also got some crafting done last week. Sorry about the mention of Christmas cards already but I try to start a few earlier in the year. I really cannot be doing sticking to just one thing later on and making loads of them in one go, it offends the Gemini in me and I get fed up. So here are two of my makes using my own artwork of a Robin.



Have a good week all :D

Skywatch Friday No 56 - Colourful Sunset Sky

I was wondering what to do as my next blog post when the sky turned an amazing colour this evening. I haven't done skywatch for a little while but thought this one was for sharing :)
More Skywatch images can be found here.