I had this in the other forum, so sorry to those who've seen it. I'm looking for advice on how to go about putting some more detail in on the fur below the face and hints on drawing whiskers!
The scan has caused quite a loss of resolution, so they're not as bad as they look (honest!)

Becky.

I love the curve of the ears and the dark forehead markings........ but the drawing below the eyes seems as if it's been drawn by someone else. It's all flat tone with very little detail. Did you perhaps lose interest or feel you had to complete it quickly? And now regret it? For me, it's undone all your beautiful work and damaged the reality.

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh Becky. I'm just a bit disappointed - I had high hopes of seeing a great drawing.

Your work above the cat's left eye was showing great promise (and even more before you blended it) so I think you already know the answer to your question. Just draw it the way it is. Instead of using tone to depict the form use the hairs and their individual tones to show the form instead - as you have above.

The body needs some work. It may be a scan problem but to me the same dark tone seems to have been used from left to right with little attempt at three-dimensional shading or texture. The body is as important as the head if you want to maintain reality -- although that's easier said than done -- I admit it's easy to lose interest by the time you reach this bit

MIKE

www.SibleyFineArt.com
www.Starving-Artists.net

You're right as usual(!) I started the blending because drawing each individual hair (apart from being hellishly time consuming) wasn't giving me some of the overall tones I was trying to achieve - I was worried the picture would look too flat.

I completely feel that I need to work on much more detail below the eyes - I found dealing with the whiskers hard and rushed the body. I've been looking at a print out of the picture all day at work here, and the more I look at it the more restless I get - I'm really unhappy with it now - I wish I wasn't trapped at my desk here and I could run home and work on the picture more!

I'm going to try and do what I can to salvage the picture and post the results. I was good and patient to start with, but lost it half way through - a lesson well learned.

Your comments were harsh and did make me cry (not really!!), but I appreciate your directness - I need to push myself to improve and that's exactly why I posted it - I needed some real impetus to keep the pressure on - and I need someone that's not just going to say it's brilliant (friends and family can be too nice for your own good sometimes) So, thanks

Becky.

About critique: Its true people too often give too positive feedback. It may be fun but in a long run you see that critique is the only way to achieve any progress though. I am looking forward to se the final version

Quote I started the blending because drawing each individual hair (apart from being hellishly time consuming) wasn't giving me some of the overall tones I was trying to achieve - I was worried the picture would look too flat.

Try to separate the two in your mind. Draw the hair leaving the whitespace white. When you're happy with the detail you can then add a tone layer to suggest the form.

In time, as you become used to this, you'll find that you'll begin to combine the two as you draw but for now I think you'll find the task much more manageable if you split it into two mental compartments. You'll be able to concentrate much better on just one task at a time.

MIKE

www.SibleyFineArt.com
www.Starving-Artists.net

thanks for all your encouragement - it has really helped, especially knowing it's something a lot of you go through (getting discouraged/tempted to rush, etc).

I've practically gone over the whole thing again, trying to bring out more detail.

What do you think?

Thanks,

Becky.

Shelby

Am I allowed to add a 'but' without upsetting you? Even though it might be true to the source I'd want to get rid of that upright, right-hand side to the neck. Even if you can only add a bit of a curve to it, it's got to look more natural. Do you not think that it looks a little like a furry post with a georgous head stuck on top? It's not important, it just bothers me a bit.

I'm so happy you went back and reworked this drawing!

MIKE

www.SibleyFineArt.com
www.Starving-Artists.net