Floral Studies

A triplet of floral study work created as demonstraton pieces for my Wednesday and Friday drawing classes. The top (Margeurite) has been drawn on Fabriano Artistico Hot Press 300gsm, the other two are drawn on Lana Hot Press 300gsm. Graphite pencils 2H, HB, 2B and 4B.

WASA Demo

It was a chilly Tuesday night last week in Box Hill, but about 12 people braved the wet and cold to come watch me demonstrate with Derwent Graphitint Pencils. I enjoyed catching up with old friends, especially the wonderful botanical artist Beverley Ednie -  check out her facebook page, her detail work is wonderful and her nest drawings are superb.

As I indicated in my last post, I worked on a drawing of a Sugar Glider possum. Prior to the demo I worked on a quick 15 minute free hand sketch of my chosen reference so I understood the animal, proportions and position. This was checked to the references, then a simply light outline of the drawing was transferred to a sheet of light grey Art Spectrum 300gsm cotton paper. Paper was securely taped on all four sides to a drawing board.

I started with graphitint (indigo and russet) and 4B watersoluble graphite as a washed base. Drying off with a hair dryer*, I built up on this first wash I intensified the hues with more indigo, cool brown, 4B and touch of port in the feet and nose, lightly washing/dabbling to soften and blend the hues. Once totally dry I then worked progressively over the entire drawing witht he graphitint pencils and 4B 'standard' graphite. Touches of white pastel were added to bring out the whites in the fur.

The demo work took about 90minutes and was completed to what I felt was about 80% done. Once back in the studio I spent another hour or so refining the work, building up and intensifying the graphitint colours, gently touching with water if required. I also introduced some Faber Castell colour pencil soft pink into the feet and nose, and some deep 4B and 6B Staedler Mars Carbon/Graphite. A little more white pastel to highlight and it's done.

As a demonstration work I am not too disappointed in it. I can see issues with some of the rear leg anatomy and the 'tree' surface. But I guess it turned out pretty much okay in the end.

Thank you to WASA for once again allowing me to demonstrate with them. As always I had great fun and they are a wonderful group of artists.

*Note. I generally do not use a hair dryer but let washes dry naturally. However, as time was limited a fast drying method was needed.

May 15 Demo at WASA

Sugar Glider

This Tuesday Night, May 15, the Wildlife Art Society of Australasia (WASA) has kindly asked me to do a demo. This will be held at the Box Hill Library meeting room, Whitehorse Road, Box Hill Victoria 7pm for a 7.30 start. It is free for members and for guests - all welcome. 

I will be drawing a Sugar Glider using Graphitint pencils supported by graphite, carbon and white pastel pencil on a 300gsm grey Art Spectrum art paper I found at my local Art Shed. This is the first time I have tried this paper, but it has a nice weight and lovely textured surface.

The little 'pos shown here is a test drawing I have just completed to trial the pencils on this paper.

Observations and photographic references were taken earlier this year at the Moonlit Sanctuary in Pearcedale. A wonderful sanctuary for Australian wildlife - especially nocturnal animals.

Do come along to the Demo in Box Hill if you can! Would love to see you there.

Docklands

Visited the North Wharf at Docklands this morning. Wandered about and looked at the reconstruction happening on the 3 masted topsail schooner 'Alma Doepel'.  Currently the masts have been removed and most of the structure is being replaced. You can see images of the 'skinned' ship on the website link. While you could not go onto the Alma Doepel one of the volunteers took me around the shed as showed  the work in progress. Lots of bits and bobs go together to make a sailing ship!

Further down the wharf was docked the smaller 2 masted topsail schooner, the Enterprize. This is replica built in 1997 of John Pascoe Fawkner's Schooner 'Enterprize' that sailed from Van Diemen's land (Tasmainia) in 1835 with the first permanent white settlers to what eventually becomes Melbourne. Traditionally rigged ship with all the tradtional tar covered hemp ropes, flax canvas and lots and lots of block and tackles and woody things. 

They allowed you to come on board the Enterprize and have a look about. I loved all the piles of ropes, belaying pins, brass bits and wooden blocks. I can see some drawings in the near future! I did a sketch of some of the blocks while sitting aft:

And from the wharf, a sketch of the ship from the front view. Boy, there is lots of rigging! So any sailors out there, I know I didn't get half of it on the page, and the half I did is not rigged correctly!