Here's something I've been working on recently, but have been having some problems with. I'm trying to draw a black cat (a Bombay, in fact!), and am having a couple of problems. The first and major issue is that this is new paper and is dissappointingly rough, taking away the sharpness from the fine detail I'm trying to get. I have been working from dark to light areas on this cat, but am finding it really hard to capture the smoothness of his immaculate coat. I don't know if you have any ideas to overcome this given the texture of the paper - I didn't want to do too much blending as I thought it might flatten it....

I've included the source photo, as well as a more detailed section of the head - this is enlarged from the original, but it shows how I've been trying to work it.... Picture is larger than A4 size.

Any ideas on capturing Mr Bombay's sleekness?

thanks,
Bec

Quote The first and major issue is that this is new paper and is dissappointingly rough, taking away the sharpness from the fine detail I'm trying to get. I have been working from dark to light areas on this cat, but am finding it really hard to capture the smoothness of his immaculate coat...... I didn't want to do too much blending as I thought it might flatten it....

This is just crying out be drawn, Bec! And you've made an excellent start.

I appreciate that the rough paper might be a problem but I think you will only be making matters worse by blending. The one over-riding aspect of a shiny, glossy coat is that everything has a real sharpness to it. It's the opposite of soft and furry, which is what blending will give you. Just keep your pencil marks sharp and positive at all times, draw (as you are) from black into white leaving well defined highlights.

Sharpness is the key word.... and blending is something you need to confine to the kitchen until you've finished this one!

Just a couple of minor points... the nose is a little bigger than you have depicted it - especially at the top on our left-hand side.... and I'd like to see you add the hair that's missing from inside the ear on the right - it shows quite plainly in the photo so it's very noticeably missing from your drawing.

This is excellent work and I'm really looking forward to seeing it progress!

MIKE

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

Love the way the black cat is coming along. It is a lovely pose that just says 'cat'! Can't wait to see it finished...

I use a hot press paper, but it has a lot of 'tooth' to it giving it a certain amount of roughness. I find I enjoy the final results, but I must admit, I had to buy myself an electric pencil sharpener as a result! And I go through many, many pencils as a result of constant sharpening. I also use a clutch pencil - a fine point and a thicker point that can be sharpened (both are Stadetler). These work really well.

Linda Weil
www.users.bigpond.net.au/lindaweil/

I'm not entirely happy with the quality of the scan and can say that it looks smoother in real - especially the tones - they look more sudden on the scan (dark/light).

Becky.

Quote OK - here it is. It's been a while because I've been recovering from having my wisdom teeth out (ouch!).

I'm not entirely happy with the quality of the scan and can say that it looks smoother in real - especially the tones - they look more sudden on the scan (dark/light).

Wisdom teeth - I had mine out years ago and I looked like a Hamster with its pouches full for a few days! I really feel for you and don't envy you at all!!!!

I think the Black Cat result is spectacular! The coat texture is so well described I could stoke it. And you've kept perfect control over some very subtle tones that allow the eye to easily read and understand every element. It's so easy to lose control with this sort of drawing - it's a deceptively difficult project and I'm full of admiration for you!

Just to keep Jim happy..... is that the very tip of a small white tail I can see poking out of the cat's mouth?

Gotta go.......... I'm going back for another long look.......

MIKE

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

Lovely character to the entire drawing - you just KNOW that cat is going to catch whatever it is he is watching.

Linda Weil
www.users.bigpond.net.au/lindaweil/

"We must become the change we want to see" - Gandhi