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.
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.
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