Work in progress

[dizzojay]

This is a little project I did over on my Dapplegrey Art facebook page.  It's a work in progress of a picture I have just finished for a client.  The portrait is of her 32 year old Fell Pony, Eagle.

I took photos of the picture to chart my progress as I worked ...






Starting off with the initial sketch - first using a pastel pencil and putty rubber so I don't damage the paper, then tidying up and adding detail with a sharpened HB.




Started from top left to bottom right (because I'm right-handed). Laying down the first layers of texture for the mane.



Finished this stage late last night so I waited to take a photo of it this morning in the daylight - such as it is! We have an eye and a cheek now. There's so much dark colouring in in this one, I've been using french grey with a touch of ice blue to bring out the highlights on the coat

.


Taking a bit of shape now he's got a forelock to go with his mane; lots of work still to do on shaping and smoothing of the face, and making sure I get the contours right. Not the best photo unfortunately due to the complete lack of decent daylight :(




A lot more shape around the face now. Still work to do on that part but 90% there.
Then onto the muzzle!




Almost there now, just finishing touches, tidying up and fixing to do. I've already started doing a bit of cleaning up around the muzzle and it shows how filthy the paper gets, not to mention my hands, anything I touch and the surface I'm working on. Pastels are lovely, but they're not for the houseproud :)



Cleaned up using a putty rubber to protect the surface of the paper, a few finishing touches, and then he is all ready to meet his new owner!
All finished.

Comments

[spnlicous.livejournal.com]

That's lovely, such a kind face.
I love our native ponies - we used to have a Welsh Mountain who had so much character. She lived to be over 40. They just keep going.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Our native ponies are beautiful and so full of character, and as you say, they are so robust!

Eagle is a stately old gentleman but apart from a little bit of grey round the face, and a bit of condition lost around his middle, he looks as chipper as a colt!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I always like seeing how people build up their pics - have you seen some of the vids on Youtube? Fascinating!
Talking of which, I saw one the other day using a clear A4 plastic sheet to stop smudging - I tried it on my last drawing but it wasn't all that effective (guess I'm too clumsy!)

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

No, I've tried sheets of paper to try to avoid smudging and it drives me bonkers! The only time I ever use that technique is if, for some reason I have to start a picture on the right hand side, or shade in the background first.