Koalas have really dense,short fine, slightly kinky hair - a bit like a poodle, but thicker. As you can imagine, I'm having fun with all the line work! Not much blending going on here...

I intend to have a 'frame' of gum leaves on the left and bottom. Oh, size when finished should be about 24cm deep x 22cm wide...and no colour this time, just graphite.

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

Quote mabye try a dolphin or something,but there doesnt seem to be many good refernce pics of them?...i may have to settle for a shark or something

Dear Abs...
Have you ever tried using videos? Almost like drawing from life but you can freeze frame! Sometimes I have used stuff like David Attenbouroughs 'Birds' series to draw from. I know he did a terriffic series on the Ocean which had superb stuff on Orcas and dolphins - I know there was a book of the series produced. Maybe the library? Of course you could always do a search on the web in the photo libraries and see what pops up!

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

your Koala is looking brilliant already - I'm looking forward to seeing this progress. What would be really great, would be if you could scan in a close up of the fur detail, so I can see more clearly how you've achieved the look?

btw, absolute - a kangaroo is on my list of things to draw too - once I've got over my cat phase, so I'd love to see yours if you do decide to go ahead!

Bec.

Quote ...I had been thinking of the freeze frame idea for drawing from...but was unsure if it would work...

Hi Vickie - The only problem with freeze frame is that it may flicker a bit. Also, the resolution is pretty poor (unless you have DVD), so it is hard to get really sharp focus on bits - usually the important bits like feet, claws, beaks, etc. But the up side is that it stops those little guys moving about!

Hi Bec, attached is a close up of the fur - hopefully it shows enough to get a good look. Also an update of where he is at. I did want him to be grumpy looking, but he had other thoughts and just started smiling out of the page at me.

I too have had thoughs of a roo drawing for a while - but not one of the big Reds or Eastern Grays - one of the smaller varieties like a King Island Wallaby or the Potoroo, which is the size of a small dog, lovely soft fur and a rabbit like face. I was a bit reluctant to start the koala as it is a bit of a cliche over here - which is what has been holding me back from the roo idea too. But I think maybe I should be drawing more of our native animals, not wishing for exotics like tigers and bears!
Linda Weil
www.users.bigpond.net.au/lindaweil/

thanks for the close up - it's great to see the detailed view.

I think I've been a bit bogged down in worrying about the detail rather than the overall view of my black cat drawing - the overall effect is fine, but when you're close up, the hairs look too thick, but I think it will work out....

your koala's beautiful - I think you were right to go with the smile - it really suits these creatures!

on the roo subject, I have David Attenborough's (my childhood hero!) latest literary effort, The Life of Mammals, in which there is a great photo of a mother with her stretched pouch practically touching the ground, trying to contain an adolescent whose oversized feet and tail are protruding chaotically! It's a cool pic and I'd love to tackle it.

keep up the good work!

Becky.

Quote on the roo subject, I have David Attenborough's (my childhood hero!) latest literary effort, The Life of Mammals, in which there is a great photo of a mother with her stretched pouch practically touching the ground, trying to contain an adolescent whose oversized feet and tail are protruding chaotically! It's a cool pic and I'd love to tackle it.

I love that man's work and can watch his stuff endlessly. Roos are really fascinating critters - did you know that a female roo is ALWAYS pregnant?! Whenever you see one she will have an adolescent at the 'hoof', one in the pouch, and a fetus in reserve. She can choose when she wants to have her next one in the pouch - so in times of drought or hardship if she loses one of the others she can have another ready fairly soon.... which is why the sometimes reach plague proportions and huge mobs of roos sweep over the wheatfields eating everything. Amazing survival mechanisim.

They are so funny to watch when the pouch young get too big and their feet don't fit anymore. A good subject to draw! Hope you do that soon...

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

I hope you do do some animals - your people are so good, and the owl you did in woodburning was really successful. I would love to see you do an animal you really like.

Well, must get back to drawing and stop fooling around on the net. I will post a further koala update soon/tonight.

I'm thinking of the title maybe being...

"How much can a Koala bear?"

what'cha think?

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

Quote I'm thinking of the title maybe being...

"How much can a Koala bear?"

I don't think you can better that one Linda!

Thanks for the close-up. It's great to see the way you use line density and weight to suggest form.

And he's certainly cheered up, hasn't he! He had mean eyes early on but that big grin just over-rides everything.

This is coming along beautifully....

MIKE

www.SibleyFineArt.com
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