Oh my giddy Aunt! It is already March - where did February go? I have been remiss in updates last month, no excuse, just my brain being on vacation.
But classes during the past month have gone very well. Our theme is 'Furry Critters', and the aim was to draw a small Australian animal first in graphite and a second with water soluble graphite. The first animal was a sugar glider I supplied and all students did the same image. My work was a series of small demonstrations of how to create fur techniques, so I don't really have any completed work to show you, just this page of tests and fur demos - its a phone shot so top is a bit flashed out:
Fur demos, etc.
Reference image, goal was to create a realistic image that elimnated the 'flash' effect of the photo.
Classes did great works from this reference and we moved on next to using water soluble graphite in our next drawing as tonal base. Image was each artists personal choice. Some did wombats, or koalas or quoka, and even some spinnifex hopping mice.
I did a small bandicoot from an image I had taken at the Healsville Sanctuary. The process was to draw directly onto your 300gsm hot press paper with the water soluble pencil (I used 4B Derwent Sketch and Wash pencil), then move the graphite with water to create soft background effect and fur undertones. Once this preliminary tonal work was done, overdrawing in standard graphite to create fur and background.
This is my work, nearly finished. There are several things I still need to work on (such as reducing the sharp transition from light to dark arund the head area) but you can see the effect and resulting technique of combining the wash graphite and the dry graphite.
WIP 'Bandicoot' by Linda Weil© 2024
Next week we start an animal drawing in colour pencils! fun!
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Here are a few upcoming shows you might like to visit:
Now in its 57th year, the Bright Autumn Art Show is one of Australia’s oldest and longest-running art shows. This year’s show has over 650 paintings and drawings on exhibit, from some of Australia’s best known artists. The opening night is on Friday, 29th March from 7pm. Entry is $20, which includes a glass of wine and finger food.
The show will then be open daily from 10am – 4pm until 11th May. The show will close at 12pm on 12th May. Entry $5. 28 Mountbatten Avenue, Bright, Victoria
Preview: Thursday 28 March 7.00pm – 10.00pm
Exhibition: Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April
Fri to Sun: 9am to 5pm. Mon: 9.00am to 2.30pm
Bendigo Town Hall, Hargreaves St, Bendigo VIC 3550
Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Easter Art Show
The Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Easter Art Show is back, celebrating its
fourteenth year in 2024. A highlight in the local community’s calendar,
the BYS Easter Art Show runs over the Easter long weekend and is proudly
supported by Belle Property, Blairgowrie. The show raises funds for the
BYS rescue boat fleet which is used to support junior, community and
disabled sailing programs and has gone from strength to strength since
it began in 2010.
The viewing of works are as follows;
From 6.30pm Friday 29 March Opening Night Function bookings here
10am–5pm Saturday 30 March – Sunday 31 March Tickets at the door, $5
10am–2pm Mon 1 April Tickets at the door, $5
