CP attempt

[lulu]

Thought I would try out photobucket and see if I could get any images to show on the forum.

This is my second attempt at using CP's. The first was the dog from the course folder, which looked more like Scooby Doo than the original photo

Here is my second attempt, and any advice, suggestions and feedback are more than welcome.

[Spicey]

Hi Lulu,

I'm afraid I can't see any images. It's just saying "This image has been removed or deleted."

Spicey x

[lulu]

Thanks Spicey. I hope it is fixed now, otherwise I need some help with this...

[Spicey]

Hi Lulu,

It is fixed now. First of all, well done. You have drawn some difficult markings here and have got the fur direction right. As you are asking for advice, the thing that immediately comes to mind is that it needs more tonal contrast. In the photo, the dark bits are black, in your drawing the darkest part is grey. I would especially darken up the shadow area round the bottom and (our) right of the nose.

A well balanced drawing or painting will contain tonal values from very light to very dark. To test the tonal values I find it helps to print out a black and white copy of the original photo and the drawing/painting. Then you can see immediately which areas are dark, middle and light in tone, and where you need to adjust values.

I hope this helps.

Spicey x (Also doing Pet Portraits. )

[lulu]

Hi Spicey

Thanks for coming back to look at my cat

The markings on this cat was a good exercise in learning fur direction! The tip about printing the photo in B&W is a good reminder, I should have thought of that. I also see what you mean about what should be black, being grey in my drawing.

I think (or I hope) I have some kind of understanding of tonal ranges in graphite now, but now I need to apply it to my colour work...

Many thanks for your constructive comments.

Lulu

[teresa]

Hi Lulu,
I'm afraid I don't feel qualified to give any advice but Spicey's critique's and advice are much valued and always spot on.
A very nice drawing, well done.

[Spicey]

Hi Lulu and Teresa,

I'm glad you thought the idea of printing out a black and white version was helpful. The only reason I know to do that is because I read that suggestion from someone myself some time ago. Just keep picking up as many ideas as you can from other artists, mentors, students, books, DVDs, art groups, the internet, Melanie's Pet Portrait and Wildlife forum - in fact anywhere and everywhere.

Teresa, thank you for your kind words. I'm no expert and I struggle with lots of things myself. I've only been painting seriously myself for 2 1/2 years. However, it's using all the resources I've just mentioned that has enabled me to both learn from other's advice and be able to help others in turn.

Spicey x

[lisapencil]

Hi Lulu, first of all I would like to say you've done brilliantly on your cat, the eyes are gorgeous. We used to have a cat like this but sadly old age took her away from us. I agree with Spicey's comments are making your darks darker.

[lulu]

Thanks for your comments lisapencil. The cat is Tizzy and belongs to my parents. She was getting very fed up with me constantly sticking my camera in her face when I was visiting England at Christmas. Most of the photo's were useless, but at least I got a couple of good ones.

I have printed the photo as B&W and of course it really shows the very black areas as opposed to the greys. The above drawing was done on cartridge paper, but now have some Fabriano classico 5 paper, so I have decided to do the pic again, and really concentrate on building the layers, getting the blacks really black, and thinking about the overall tonal range of the drawing. Wish me luck

lulu

[Ruthie]

Good Luck Lulu!! You've got a sound first picture to work from. This is very true to the photo and you've captured the "look" beautifully. Hope you'll show us the next one when it's done.
Just one tip, which you may well know already. You can blend colours to make a convincing black and not use black at all, or only here and there. Apparantly black does not reflect light so can look very flat.
Depending on whether you want a warm or cool black you can use red and green, blue and dark umber, purple and brown or many other combinations to get a convincing black. Have a go on a spare piece of paper and see what you get. You also need to put on lots of very light layers to get the depth and the really dark value.
Sorry if you know this already!!