[Equusketch]

2/21/10

I thought I'd start an art journal for my latest commission, a whopping
18 x 24 graphite drawing of an arabian mare and foal for my friend. I have really enjoyed following Kayty's art journal and have actually learned from watching her drawings come to life!

Anyway. I have probably spent at least 2 (maybe more) hours on just the rough sketch alone! I did a first draft and after mush erasing and redrawing, I still wasn't happy with either the proportions or the orientation of the drawing. So I ran to the art supply store and bought a new sheet of paper, which as it turns out is a mildly toothed watercolor paper. I cheated and also bought tracing paper so I could just trace the old image and make neccessary adjustments and transfer it to the new paper, this time with a much better orientation. I just didn't feel like freehanding the whole **** thing again!

So here are the first two rough sketches:
1. first attempt- the mare's head is too big for her body and I did not position the sketch high enough on the paper. This drawing has not gone to waste as I plan now to use this drawing as an excuse to FINALLY try out those watercolor paints I bought a bazillion years ago, but have been too afraid to actually try...lol.

2. rough sketch for the graphite drawing

 

[Honeysuga]

Stinning picture cant wait to see the finished product!

 

[midwestgirl89]

Hey Liz~So excited to see how it turns out! 18x24?! That's huge =)
I always think the rough sketch at first is the hardest thing for me-meaning the most frustrating. It rarely works out on the first try and I get so angry at it. I restart and restart til I'm satisfied. And most of the time when I'm flipping back through those old rough sketches...there's nothing wrong with them. All me :? Oh well.
Look forward to progress. I love these threads too. It's awesome to see the process and learning tips and tidbits.

 

[Equusketch]

2/22/10

Here is tonight's progress, but unfortunately my camera battery is dead and I had to settle for a pic taken on my cell phone. Basically I am just trying to get used to a much more toothed paper than I am used to. I am not sure if I want to keep going with this drawing and see how I feel about the roughness of the paper, or just start over again on a smoother surface. I kind of like the effect of the rough paper, but this is definately out of my comfort zone.

 

[Honeysuga]

I think you will be pleased with the finished result of the more toothed paper, I personally prefer it to a smoother paper when I am doing a graphite sketch... Plus it adds a skill to your repertoire and gives your client a little more option when you become more comfortable with a different texture of paper...

 

[midwestgirl89]

I don't recall working with a rough paper before...so I can't contribute much there. But I'd keep going...it looks beautiful!

 

[ladybugsgirl]

You are soooo amazing

 

[Plains Drifter]

Don't know if it's the rough paper...or just the sketch in general, but that mare's neck looks soo soft. Each time I look at the drawing, I keep thinking I'd love to stroke her neck.

 

[my2geldings]

Waw, great drawings. The dimensions of horses lying down are difficult to get, so good for you! they look great :shock:

 

[Flintlock]

Looking great!

 

[dantexeventer]

Looks awesome, Liz - especially for being so massive AND a new texture of paper. Those aren't easy conditions to work with! Can't wait to see the finished product; I really enjoy your style.

 

[Kayty]

You crazy girl liz! You always pick the difficult subjects don't you But you manage to pull them off every **** time!!! Can't wait to see the finished product, I'm dreading the day someone wants a drawing of their horse laying down... I'll be running to you for help!

 

[Equusketch]

Thank you everybody. I did have quite a hard time with the proportions in the beginning, espceically on such a large piece of paper. I am putting this drawing aside until I finish another drawing that I was working on long before I started this one. Stay tuned!

 

[Alpha Tango]

That is really good!

 

[Equusketch]

2/28/10

So I am sick right now, but between dizzy spells I was able to put quite a bit more work into the mare’s face, laying down some darker tones. I got started on the shoulder area and some of the grass and right front leg. I whipped out what’s called an "ebony pencil", which is apparently a jet black gaphite pencil and played around a bit in the mane, ears, and around the eye.

There is a glare from the camera...I need to figure out how to take a good picture of these larger drawings since they are too big for my scanner

 

[Kayty]

Beautifull Liz

And when you find out how to take good photo's of bigger drawings, please let me know! I still struggle, all of my photo's have glare from the camera which then removes a heap of the detail in my work. And most of my drawings I can't scan anyway because they're pastel!

 

[midwestgirl89]

Add me to your list when you find out how to take a decent picture. That's turning into the most frustrating part of the process for me. I was proud of myself for upgrading to bigger drawings but they don't fit in the scanner.

 

[ShadowFaxIsMyBaby]

You are an amazing artist.

 

[Equusketch]

Well, I am still trying to figure out camera settings and finding the best way to take a picture of this drawing. The paper really is "white". Anyway, I am "almost done with the mare's face and have begun the first layers on the foal. I'd have to say the most tedious part of this drawing has got to be the grass...lol.

 

[wannahorse22]

WOW is all i have to say