A Tiger ACEO

I'm trying to maintain productivity but not neglect my marketing. Today I've selected the four images I hope to submit to the 2008 SOFA exhibition later in the year and sorted out my Crufts entry so I'm feeling slightly pleased with myself.

I've also created another ACEO, a tiger but this time on drafting film.

SOLD

The rain is continuing, leading to web foot syndrome among the dogs again, even the squirrels need waders to get to the nuts. The circular stones which form a path across my garden have been transformed into miniature bird baths and the pond has overflowed into the surrounding borders. I was reminded of the Amazon when I noticed my fish could now swim among the plants, I expect if it rains for much longer they'll probably be able to make it to the Amazon.

My friend recently tried to contact me on my mobile, which was as usual switched off. If I leave it on then I forget about it, and it either rings in the middle of important meetings or the battery runs down in the middle of the night. I'm not sure why batteries always expire in the middle of the night, I think they must work to the same timetable as in whelp bitches!. Anyway Clinton is terrified of the bleeping noise expiring batteries make, as soon as the first bleep happens he comes to me to be saved. This involves him jumping on the bed and wrapping himself round my head. Even when I stagger out of bed, find the phone and turn it off, the damage is done for that night. He insists that if he doesn't remain wrapped round my head, something on the floor will get him and he wont make it through the night. After about half an hour of large, heavy, very hairy male Collie round my nose I wonder if I will make it till morning, so that is why my mobile is never turned on.

Paper Supports

I finished my wolf, I think I might try a graphite study before I start my large painting.
The main paper supports I use are Arches Hot Press watercolour paper for coloured pencil and Mellotex for graphite.

Arches - this is a lovely smooth paper which takes a lot of layers but is a creamy rather than white colour. The paper is acid and chlorine free and available in 3 finishes, not, hot pressed and rough. I only ever use the hot pressed as I need a smooth finish.

Mellotex - this is a printers paper, very smooth, available in several weights and three different whites. As with Arches it is an archival, acid free paper. I understand it is only available in the UK.
I use the heavier weights in the ultra white as I like to leave the white of the paper for the background in graphite pieces.

I sometimes use coloured paper like Ingres or Mi Tientes, these are not as heavy as they are primarily pastel papers, so will not take as many layers.

Happy New Year

I would like to wish all my readers a very happy and peaceful 2008, a little late but I've just returned from spending a few days in Scotland.

I managed to take some wonderful photographs of four male European wolves which live at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie.

I might not paint this one, I can't imagine him making a popular print.

I do intend to paint a scene with several wolves later in the year and as preparation I've started a small study in watercolour pencils.

I'm going to try to produce at least one small work a week and at least 18 larger pieces over the year so at least I've made a start.

I'm going to continue my art material series over the next couple of days before I return to the dreaded 'day job' on Monday.

Art Materials - Part 2

The other new surface I have been using this year is Pastelbord.

I use Ampersand Pastelbord which is described as "a clay and gesso hardboard panel with a granular marble dust finish"

The pastelbord is available in four colours, sand, grey, green and white. I ordered samples of all four colours although up to now I have only worked on the sand one.

The Ampersand website shows the four colours and gives much more information on the product, including the diversity of media you can use on it.

What I want to do, is let you know what my experience of working with it has been.

The first thing I tried was a cheetah on one of the smaller panels, I used coloured pencil and some acrylic. Although it is desribed as being similar to working on sanded paper, I found that initially it was harder to work with because of its inflexibility.

Once I had adapted my working method things became much easier.

I used more pressure with the pencil, certainly on the early layers a soft touch is not required, but you can continue to add layer after layer.

I was also not successful in adding acrylic staight onto the surface, it was too rough for me to get a fine line. I did however successfully add touches of acrylic on top of the pencil.

For the background I blended the colours using the solvent 'Zest it', this worked really well.

Once finished I had no need to frame under glass, I simply varnished it.

Around the time I was starting a new painting I saw a couple of artists using Neocolor ll combined with coloured pencil on pastelbord and liked the effect they were able to get.

The Neocolor ll are made by Caran D'Ache and are a watersoluble stick of pigment.

I added these to the background and the fur of 'Shred' and liked how easy they were to work with.

Shred was the painting I was working on whilst demonstrating at the NEC, and people were amazed at the effect you could get with coloured pencils.

Again I used touches of acrylic to bring out a few highlights.

I will continue to use Pastelbord, I like the finished effect and the fact that you can frame without glass. It is vastly different from working on drafting film and the end result is different, so I would look at what I wanted the final resultto be in order to decide which surface to use.

The one draw back is that I have to order the Pastelbord from America, I have yet to find a supplier based in Europe.

To be continued............

Art Materials - Part 1

I have found that people are curious about the supports I use for my work, in particular Drafting Film and Pastelbord. So I have decided to include a page on my website giving more information on the materials I use, but I thought I'd also do a blog post.

Although I have tried out many supports over the past few years I return to the same favourites:-

Arches Hot Press Watercolour paper or Mellotex for graphite

Polydraw Drafting Film for coloured pencil, or mixed media including acrylic

Ampersand Pastelbord for coloured pencil including Neocolor ll

Drafting Film, I use Polydraw double matt, 75 micron sheets. Polydraw is by West and is available as sheets or in rolls. It is described as a polyester drafting film with a high degree of dimensional stability.

I find its exceptionally smooth surface ideal for the detail I want to be able to produce. A sharp pencil point lasts for a long time on this surface. I can also easily airbrush acrylic backgrounds to produce a wonderful soft focus effect.

The one thing that you can't do on this surface is use a lot of layering, I've found 3 or 4 layers is about as many as I can manage.

If you make a mistake on Polydraw it is easy to correct, simply dampen the area and wipe off. I have even removed an airbrushed background, although that wasn't quite as easy.

I believe that an equivalent to Polydraw in the US and Canada is Mylar, and I know many artists use Mylar to great effect.

Here are a couple of examples of my work on drafting film. I have airbrushed all the background in the Rough Collie painting, in real life you can see how this pushes the subject forward.

In the Norwegian Forest Cat painting I have done the background entirely in coloured pencil, again a subtle effect but much more time consuming.

To be continued.....................

Things I'd like to find in my Christmas Stocking

1. Time, I never have enough of it to do everything I want.

2. Dog hair fixative, for the times when I do not want to wake up and find their fur coats on the floor.

3. Rose coloured glasses, to put on before opening the door to my eldest son's bedroom.

4. A treadmill for dogs, for the days when I would rather sit indoors with a glass of wine and watch them exercising themselves.

5. A ball that brings itself back to me, for the times when I've thrown it a huge distance and every dog runs in the opposite direction.

6. A towel that can dry 24 paws without any help from me.

I'm sure I can come up with a few more so please feel free to send me any of the above.

I have worked a bit more on my cat with the reflection.

A Christmas ACEO

I was planning this years Christmas card yesterday and liked the kitten I was drawing so much that I let him star in his own ACEO.

I added a mouse so he wouldn't feel lonely, and called it 'Waiting for Santa Paws'. It is coloured pencil and acrylic on drafting film.

My 2007 Christmas card is heading for 2008 if I keep getting distracted.

More Cats

I'm glad it's weekend, this has been one of those weeks that go from bad to worse.

I'm having a difficult time at work due to massive restructuring which is ongoing, so that has been on my mind all week.

On Wednesday I slipped on some leaves and hit my chin on a wall that kindly stopped me falling to the floor, but left me with a huge bruise and a bottom jaw that doesn't look to fit the top one.

Thursday we got Juno and Roxie ready for the show which takes place today. We got up on Friday to find most of Roxie's coat on the floor, she told me she was hot in the night so had taken it off. It is not worth taking either of them to the show as Juno is also slightly out of coat, so the hours spent getting them ready was wasted.

Also on Thursday my eldest son's drive shaft on his car rolled over and died. As he needs his car to get to University that took a lot of sorting out to ensure it went to the sick car hospital on Friday.

On Friday I had to have some routine blood tests, as I have had chemotherapy my veins strongly object to anyone even looking at them. They were even less impressed when the nurse told me she had forgotten her glasses, but not to worry she works mainly by touch. All I can say is that her touch let her down on this occasion.

But, Shred is finished and I'm working on a new cat on drafting film.

I used a lot of Neocolor ll on the fur under Shred's chin and then wet it so that I could get a nice slightly out of focus look. I am really impressed with how the Neocolour work so well with coloured pencil.

The other cat is mainly coloured pencil with touches of acrylic, I'm still thinking about how I'm going to do the reflection.

Update on Roxie and Shred

Not having included my collies for a while I thought I'd let you see how Roxie is maturing. She is practicing being a Pointer in this photograph while she does a spot of duck watching.

Rio had trotted on ahead to make sure we weren't in any danger of being kidnapped, he takes his brotherly duties very seriously.

On the art front, here is the update of Shred, at last he is almost finished.

Demonstrating for the UK Coloured Pencil Society

I spent Thursday and Friday at the Art Materials Live Exhibition held at the NEC in Birmingham.

I was demonstrating for the UK Coloured Pencil Society (UKCPS) and it was great fun. I talked myself hoarse early on the first day, and had to revive myself with large amounts of liquid refreshment, strictly non alcoholic as I was driving. The stand had several artists demonstrating, all very talented and quite diverse in approach, so people got a good idea of just what can be done with the coloured pencil.

I had two half finished pieces there, Shred the ginger cat on ampersand pastelbord, and one on drafting film. People were amazed at the finish you could get on the pastelbord and I got some really wonderful comments, if any of you read this, thank you for making my day.

I got so many questions on how to draw eyes and how to work on drafting film that on the second day I started a new cat. I started with the eye and showed people how to work by building up the layers, and then adding the final highlight to get the glassy appearance. I also did a little of the surrounding fur. I met several architects and graphic designers who found watching me work brought back happy(ish) memories of using drafting film.

The drafting film I use is Polydraw double matt, 75 microns in weight.

Here's what I drew plus a bit more that I added yesterday.

I also had my photograph taken with my work several times, even by one of the other exhibitors.

I really enjoyed my two days, I met up with some old friends, made some new ones and saw some stunning work.

The exhibition finishes today but I can highly recommend a visit next year to stock up on your materials and see some wonderful work. I know that as long as they want me, i will be back on the UKCPS stand.

Several people asked me about workshops or if I would do a DVD on drawing animals in coloured pencil, I will look into that after Christmas.

Painting a Miniature

My friend Katherine recently went to see the annual exhibition of the Royal Society of MiniaturePainters,Sculpters and Gravers. This reminded me that I had some Ivorine put to one side, so I decided it was time to have a go at my own miniature.

Ivorine is a manufactured imitation ivory with a white translucent surface. It is totally smooth and very easy to work on.

I wanted a change from cats so decided to paint a Chipmunk that I photographed in the Mount Ranier National Park whilst on holiday.

I think it's a Least Chipmunk but please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

I decided to use acrylics on the Ivorine and I'm using 4/0 to 10/0 brushes.

If you are interested the only place that I know to purchase Ivorine is from Polymers Plus, they are very helpful and have an excellent mail order service.

Book Review, Drawing from Line to Life by Mike Sibley

The Big Draw 2007 has been launched and during October over 1300 Big Draw events will take place throughout the UK.

In conjunction with the official events, Katherine Tyrrell has a new project on her blog which will run throughout October, The Big Drawing Book Review. (Just to make it clear, this project was initiated by Katherine and is not linked to the Big Draw in a formal way.)

Now I'm a bit of a bookaholic, I absolutely love books, so I'm going to try to review one of my drawing books each week during October.

I have to start with my absolute favourite 'Drawing from Line to Life'.

This book is a complete guide to drawing realism in graphite.

It covers materials, methods, techniques and three complete demonstrations, all by professional graphite artist Mike Sibley.

It is divided into 24 chapters which start with, From Line to Life Explained and end with, Putting it all Together.

In between are chapters on techniques such as Blending and Layering, Indenting, Negetive Drawing and Erasing Techniques.

Chapters on drawing various elements such as Ellipses, Textures, Reflections, Foliage, Hair and Features.

There are also three full length demonstrations, Charlotte (little girl), Clarrie (cat) and one featuring a puppy and many other elements from earlier in the book.

This is a large book with 625 illustrations in more than 280 pages, the printing is crisp and clear and the binding means that the book will open flat if you want to refer to it whilst drawing.

I absolutely love this book, but then I am an animal artist who loves to use graphite.

The simple step by step approach yet diverse information make it equally appealing to both the beginner and more advanced artist.

The book only covers graphite and will suit artists who like total control and to produce a high degree of realism in their work, it does not cover a more painterly approach to drawing. Also many of the illustrations are of dogs, or parts of dogs because that is what Mike draws, so there is less in the way of humans.

It is also quite expensive at £35.00, but everyone I know who has bought it, has been absolutely delighted and felt that it has improved their drawing. I know it has improved mine.

Katherine has devised a rating system, I have no hesitation in awarding this book 5 pencils:-

5 pencils - go out and buy this book right now if you have the money. In your opinion, an essential book for anybody seriously interested in drawing and/or learning more about drawing.

Links:-

Sibley Fine Art

Marketing

I have spent most of today tidying up my website. I was helped in this by my good friend and fellow artist Katherine Tyrrell, in fact Katherine had most of the ideas and did a lot of the work.

If you haven't already visited Katherine's blog then I suggest you go and have a browse, I can guarantee you will find something to interest you.

I also took time to scan Shred so that you can see I have been doing a little work.

Spotty Dog

The Society of Feline Artists Exhibition was a success for me, as well as 'Out of Sight', 'Cat Nap' also sold. I will miss them both, although I'm obviously pleased they sold.

I have attended another Mike Sibley workshop, this time we were tackling drawing fur, long, short, curly and in my case spotty. I completed this using mainly HB and 2B pencils.

I really enjoy drawing in graphite and it was a nice change to draw a dog for a change.

Neocolor and Masquepen

I had to take my son into Leeds today so decided to see what was new at the art shop. I found a couple of treasures, some Caran d'Ache Neocolor ll water soluble wax pastels and a Masquepen.

I've been wondering how to do the background on Shred, I was going to use coloured pencil and solvent but would have lost all the fine hairs that I have already drawn. Plus I find it really difficult to put the hair back in, on top of a layer of coloured pencil to which solvent has already been applied.

I have seen the Neocolours used by other Artists and they have created some great effects so I thought I'd give them a try. I only bought three colours, Terracotta, Vandyke Brown and white. I've started to put the background on Shred with Terracotta and I really like how it's working. I'm scribbling the colour on and then using an acrylic flat and water. The wax in the pencil is resisting the wash and my hairs are safe and sound. I can always add some coloured pencilo over the top if I want.

The masquepen is an applicator for applying blue masking fluid. The applicator end has a 0.5mm nib for drawing really fine lines.I'm going to experiment tomorrow and will post the results.

Sales

I was delighted to learn that 'Out of Sight' sold the day following the opening of the SOFA exhibition. Even more impressive, it sold twice. On the day following the first sale another customer also wanted to buy it, so the gallery asked if I would be prepared to do another one. Of course it will not be exactly the same, but it will be quite a challenge to do it again.

I had a stand at a local cat show on Sunday. The show was run by the Viking Cat Club and it was excellent. It was judged under FIFe rules and owners take their cats up in turn to be judged and are given a verbal critique. For an artist it was wonderful to learn the finer points of various breeds of cats.

I also sold a lot of cards, one print and had quite a lot of interest in commissions.

I intend to start a demo later this week, but for now here is Shred the Norwegian Forest Cat.

Suedeboard

I have wanted to try suedeboard since seeing some animal portraits drawn on it, quite some time ago. I have used velour which I believed to be similar, but find it more suitable for pastels, coloured pencils seem to leave a hard scratchy line.

So when I saw some suedeboard on eBay I knew I had to try it. I got some small pieces, ACEO size in various colours.

Of course I had to try a cat. This is 2.5 x 3.5 inches on the black using mainly white coloured pencil. I like the effect but have found it quite hard to work on, I don't think I would do a larger piece.

About halfway through here.

The National Museum of Wildlife Art

After travelling through Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Parks we stayed in Jackson Hole. This was a place I had marked on the map because it is the home of the National Museum of Wildlife Art which is a place I had long been wanting to visit.

However Jackson itself was a really interesting place to stay, many of the shops displaying items of historical interest. One of the things I remember is that in the 1920's one of the first all women town councils was elected. I wonder why that stuck in my mind.

The town itself has antler arches made from the fallen antlers of the Elk that overwinter at the Nation Elk Refuge. The antlers are collected from the refuge each spring by the local boy scouts and auctioned off in May, apart from the ones donated to maintain the arches.

The Museum itself is just outside Jackson Hole right across the interstate from the National Elk refuge.

In the winter the refuge is home to up to 10,000 Elk , there they get supplementary feeding for two to three months before returning to the higher pastures in the spring.

The Museum is home to an internationally acclaimed collection of fine art paintings, sculpture and photography devoted to wildlife.

Have a look at the website for more information.

The 'meeters and greeters' were both very welcoming and extremely knowledgeable which made our visit even better.

The one thing that struck me on first seeing the original work of artists like Robert Bateman was the scale they work on. Bateman's Bison painting 'Chief' took up a whole wall, it was simply jaw dropping. I can honestly say that having seen it in books does not prepare you for the real thing.

There were also various examples showing preparatory work in various stages right through to the finished painting.

As well as the paintings there were several DVD's which you could sit and watch, unfortunately we didn't have time to see these.

If you are in the area and like wildlife art I can almost guarantee you would enjoy a visit.

I came home inspired, so after scanning through my photo's I am going to do a demonstration of how I will work through a painting of a chipmunk, in among all the cats of course.

Speaking of the dreaded C word, I will leave you with my latest ACEO, coloured pencil and graphite on drafting film.

Cats in the Belfrey

At this time of year we often see bats flying around outside the lounge window at twilight, the especially daring among them even sometimes have a quick peep in the window if we have it open. So far they have remained on the right side of the glass, but Roxie who is the only dog that appears to see them lives in hope.

Anyway last night there were several of them darting around and they obviously made a big impression, because when I went to bed I had a dream about little furry things flying about. However in my dream they looked suspiciously like cats with wings.

I'm not at all surprised as I seem to do nothing but think cats, and for a dog person that is highly traumatic, even more traumatic for my dogs.

Here is the latest partially completed cat, a Ragdoll this time, coloured pencil and acrylic on pastelbord.

I will mention the Museum of Wildlife Art tomorrow(ish) when I find my booklet from there.

However here are a few more photographs from my holiday, all the animals are wild, in their natural settings.

12th Annual Exhibition of the Society of Feline Artists

The Society of Feline Artists annual London Exhibition takes place at the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery on the 3rd September to the 22nd September.

There will be over 300 paintings on show which makes it the largest show of cat art in the UK. Work in oils, acrylics, watercolours, pastels and etchings will all be available for purchase.

All the paintings have been selected by Jillian Llewellyn-Lloyd of the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery from work submitted by both Full and Associate members of the Society.

Both myself and fellow Fine Line artist Katherine Tyrell had all our submitted pieces accepted. You can read Katherine's excellent blog post to find out more.

The three pieces I had accepted are:-

Shades of Grey

Out of Sight

Cat Nap

You can view these and other images that will be included in the exhibition on the gallery's website here.
Back in April I submitted work to be considered for inclusion in the Brochure and Private View Invitation, and am delighted to be able to tell you that Shades of Grey was selected.

The official opening is on the 4th of September and David Grant the celebrity vet will be doing the honours.
If you are in the London area and like Feline Art I can highly recommend a visit to the gallery.

On a completely separate note, we visited the National Museum of Wildlife Art at Jackson Hole, Wyoming whilst on holiday, this will form my blog post for tomorrow.