Covid Drawing...

 Yellowstone Wolf in Pastel Pencils

Well guys, here we go again. Currently we are in Day 4 of our (maybe) 7 day circuit breaker lockdown and it looks like it will be extended a week further. I can only hope they can get this under control soon and those currently affected recover with no ill effects.

As all classes and workshops have been cancelled for the duration, I thought I would show you all the progress drawing of the demonstration work I was doing with my Monday and Thursday evening sessions using pastel pencils.

The wolf image was supplied to me by Mike Sibley, an image he shot while in Yellowstone a few years ago - thank you Mike!
And I hope any of you who wish to show me your work will do so and we can post it again here on the blog for the others in your group to see. Let me know via email.

This was the stage I have reached on last Thursday evening class. Paper is Art Spectrum Color Fix Smooth 'Blue Haze'. The base blue color has been intensified with broad strokes of a Rowney indigo blue stick tonked back with a rag. I completed the eyes to a near finish and the added the darker base tones in dark sepia, deep indigo blue and chestnut tones using Staedtler and Carbethello pastel pencils.

Progressively building up the dark and mid-tone fur using chestnut, dark umber, gold and ochre with hints of a purple plum color. This is done with Carbethello pastel pencils - except for the dark umber which is the Staedtler. Some black Carbethello touched into the eye, nose and inner ear.

Adding lighter tones over the mid tones - golds, creams. Still only using the Carbethello pencils.

Light tones added - cream yellow, light grey, white Carbethello. Accents of indigo and black Carbethello. Some soft white Rembrandt pastel stick is used to add bright white.

At this stage I could call it finished, but I wanted to build up the lighter tones more and had nearly filled the surface textured. So I did what the pastel-purest frowns upon and gave the work a light spray fix of Windsor Newton fixative. This tends to darken up the pastel but it also 'sets' it somewhat and gives me another surface layer to work on.

The finished work. 

Building up more fur work over the entire piece, adding darks and lights as needed. Again, a soft white Rembrandt pastel stick was used to create the brightest whites. 

So... show me what YOU have been up to in this lockdown and I will post it here with my comments.

Stay well...

 

Grimm Cancellation

 It is with great regret that due to the Lock Down announcement at 11am this morning by the Victorian Government that the Grimm Visions Exhibition and Fantastic Creatures Workshop has been cancelled.

I hope we can rearrange this for a later date - I will advise.

😢

Grimm Visions Launch this Friday

 Join me this Friday, May 28, 5.30pm for the launch of my exhibition of drawings 'Grimm Visions' In this exhibition I have taken a few of my favorite stories from the first edition and have tried to express some of the original or darker side to the story behind the fairy tale façade. 

This is a free event, but please register at blarneybooks.com.au for Covid requirements.

Fantasy Creatures Workshop
Saturday, May 29, 1 - 4pm is almost booked out! A spot or two is still open if you are interested - contact Blarney books on the above website.

Class Demonstrations

 Term 1 and Term 2

As part of my teaching method I like to demonstrate technique by drawing along with my students and create a smaller work. I often do not have time to finish these pieces in class, but when I can I complete in the home studio.

In our first term this year we studied birds. The focus was on composition and use of color pencil with graphite. The work also had to include a background of some variety. I chose to create a drawing featuring a family of blue wrens in different morphs (male and female adult, sub-adult, juvenile) on a winter bramble. All the birds came from personal reference shots and were positioned into a pleasing narrative composition. The background is a soft rendering of brambles and hatching effect.

'Family Conference' - Color and Graphite pencil on Fabriano Artistico Hot Press 300 gsm paper
by Linda Weil 2021

Second Term has been concentrating on canines. We began the term by looking at the features of a canine and studying the anatomy using graphite pencil. Using the knowledge gained from those studies I asked the students to draw a sketch of their chosen canine starting with the skeletal anatomical structure then adding the flesh/fur overlay. This was to encourage understanding of the underlying structure of the animal, proportions and relationships. Once the sketch was finished the outline of this was transferred to better quality drawing paper and a rendered drawing in graphite was done. Including a background was encouraged.

I used some photos I had taken of dingo while on Fraser Island and in a local wildlife rescue sanctuary in the Wide-Bay region. Currently there is a controversy over the proposed dingo fence on Fraser Island as there is concern over limiting the free range of the dog. The issue seems to be people interacting with the wild animal causing the dingo becoming habituated and losing their fear of humans. This has resulted in injuries to humans. The solution proposed is to fence out the dingo, greatly reducing it's range and ease of movement across the island. ABC News

I have conflicting views on this solution - while I don't want the dingo restricted, neither to I want to see people, especially children hurt. The people living on the island must make the best decision they can and I do not envy them their dilemma.

Anatomy study showing underlying bone structure with flesh overlay

Completed drawing 'Don't Fence Me In' - Graphite pencil on
Fabriano Artistico 300gsm Hot Press Paper by Linda Weil 2021

Both of these works will be on display at the AGRA seasonal Winter Exhibition 2-13 June, AGRA Galleries, 1 Inglesby Street, Camberwell Victoria.

PS: Don't forget to sign up for the FANTASY CREATURES workshop in Port Fairy May 29!

Fantasy Creature Workshop

Let your imagination run wild! 

Grab a pencil or two and your sketchbook, bring along your imagination and join me for an afternoon of fantastical drawing! Have you ever wanted to draw your favorite storybook character, myth, monster or whimsical critter? In this workshop I will show you a few basic tips and with a little bit of practice you will be drawing an amazing fantasy creature in no time at all.

Come view my exhibition 'Grimm Visions' for inspiration and then indulge your creative flight of fancy. Join me for an afternoon of drawing fun on Saturday, May 29, 1 - 4 pm at Blarney Books and Art, Port Fairy. No previous drawing experience is required and some materials will be provided. It is only $45 for the afternoon and you can register HERE.

Drive up for the day and return, or spend the night in Port Fairy and join me for a glass of wine at the local after the workshop - would love to see you there.

'Hans my Hedgehog' from the Grimm Visions Exhibition
Artwork by Linda Weil©

Upcoming Exhibition at Blarney Books and Art

 A heads-up for my upcoming exhibition opening 28 May at Blarney Books and Art in Port Fairy, Victoria. I will send out emails or postal invites to anyone on my lists, but for those of you who follow my blog please also consider yourself invited!

Port Fairy is a beautiful seaside town along the stunning Great Ocean Road, about 3-4 hours out of Melbourne. You can do it in a day if you don't mind driving, but why not consider a weekend get-away and see some of the sights and the beautiful area. Bush and beach walks, lighthouse to visit, koalas at Tower Hill, great food, fresh air and of course, The Great Ocean Road. As well as a visit to Blarney Books and Art!

There will be a couple of weekend workshops with me on offer, during the first weekend of the exhibition and the final weekend. These will be confirmed in the next week or so, or you can enquire at Blarney Books and Art here