Work in progress
Jul. 21st, 2012 08:47 amThis 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.

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.

no subject
Date: 2012-07-21 11:24 am (UTC)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!