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Subject: "Boxer by John Duffy"  
         
Study and Teach Fine Art Techniques Animal and Wildlife drawing with Mike Sibley. Topic #26
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mike sibleymoderator
Member since Nov-19-02
236 posts, 6 feedbacks,
Feb-25-03, 06:23 PM ()
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"Boxer by John Duffy"
 
I was sent this Boxer drawing by John Duffy, one of my Starving Artists members, for inclusion in his gallery. John specialises in drawing buildings and you can see more of his work at http://www.starving-artists.net/galset_duffy.htm - this is John's very first attempt at animal drawing!

I was so immediately taken by this drawing and its composition that I asked if he would post it here - especially for Vickie to see as I know she'll appreciate it. But John has not long had internet access so he asked me to post it for him. If you would like to comment I'll forward everything on until he plucks up the courage to try joining one of these strange forum things!

This is what he told me.........

Raw material was easy, (my 2 mutts at home), mother Pilot at rear and daughter Sasha at front. It's also my first time using mechanical pencils plus blu-tack tips learned from yourself. I must say I'm astounded at your astonishment! I actually found it easier to do than a building with strict rules. Incidentally,the white hairs were drawn with an "empty" .03. Of course you are welcome to use the drawing, especially if others can learn from it. I spent about 25 hours on it and image size is 15" x 11". Those Staedtler pencils are lovely and dark, plus being smooth...


MIKE

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





 
Euripides
Member since Oct-4-02
5 posts,
Feb-25-03, 09:38 PM ()
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1. "RE: Boxer by John Duffy"
 
   Hi Mike,

Re the white hairs being drawing with an 'empty .o3' did he mean using the metal tip of the mechanical pencil to actually scratch into the paper?

I have read of a similar technique, an Australian wildlife artist who uses a plastic knitting needle to scratch in the long white hairs before adding tone. It seems like an interesting idea, though rather risky - you can't erase them.

cheers

Helen
http://drawsketch.about.com

by the way, I agree it's a lovely drawing. He's caught the silky coat and facial expressions well. Boxers always look so grumpy! I have to draw my Bernese with his tongue lolling out and a dopey look on his face....


 
laurielk
Member since Feb-23-03
12 posts,
Feb-26-03, 00:44 AM ()
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2. "RE: Boxer by John Duffy"
 
   Very Nice The boxer face seems to be sooooo expressive (we have a boxer cross). I think he's done a great job of capturing that!

I too am interested in the "white hair" technique..... hmmm. Would like to know more about the specifics.

And I would love to get my hands on the blu-tack. I hear it is great stuff, but can't find it anywhere here.

I hope he does more animals, they are quite nice.

Laurie

Laurie
www.lauriekulinsky.com


 
mike sibleymoderator
Member since Nov-19-02
236 posts, 6 feedbacks,
Feb-26-03, 09:59 AM ()
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3. "RE: Boxer by John Duffy"
 
Quote Re the white hairs being drawing with an 'empty .o3' did he mean using the metal tip of the mechanical pencil to actually scratch into the paper?

I have read of a similar technique, an Australian wildlife artist who uses a plastic knitting needle to scratch in the long white hairs before adding tone. It seems like an interesting idea, though rather risky - you can't erase them.

I'll ask John about that. I was wondering myself....

I use an incising technique also (if this is what John meant) - much the same as your wildlife artist. In my case I use a blunt needle (actually a sewing-up or darning needle) snapped in half and mounted into an old clutch pencil. You can see it and an example of its use on my "Tools I Use page" at http://www.sibleyfineart.com/tips010.htm.... and you're right - it's risky!

You can remove an error by drawing into the valley but you can't make directional alterations or smooth out unintentional kinks.

By the way - the word "scratch" might give the wrong impression. A scratch implies a rough-edges mark in the paper but what is required is a very smooth incised line impressed into the paper surface so that it leaves a valley with clean-cut parallel sides.

MIKE

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


 
mike sibleymoderator
Member since Nov-19-02
236 posts, 6 feedbacks,
Feb-26-03, 10:04 AM ()
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4. "RE: Boxer by John Duffy"
 
Quote And I would love to get my hands on the blu-tack. I hear it is great stuff, but can't find it anywhere here.

Please excuse the self-promotion Laurie but I sell it from my site. Just click the top link below then click the STUDIO TIPS button. You'll find the order form button there - and a couple of tutorials on the uses of Blu-Tack

Blu-Tack is made in the UK and Australia but is not widely available elsewhere. It's a wall putty but tackier than the US versions such as Hold-Tu or Tak'n Stick.

MIKE

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


 
vicklyn_ click here to view user rating
Member since Nov-21-02
243 posts, 2 feedbacks,
Feb-26-03, 12:40 PM ()
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5. "RE: Boxer by John Duffy"
 
Mike I love it..John has definately captured the breed.For his first attempt at an animal drawing I feel humbled.He is an excellant artist.
vickie


 
mike sibleymoderator
Member since Nov-19-02
236 posts, 6 feedbacks,
Feb-26-03, 02:04 PM ()
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6. "RE: Boxer by John Duffy"
 
I'll ditto that Vickie!

It's so well studied and drawn with an obvious knowledge of the three-dimensional forms. It's so easy to just reproduce the photos but John has successfully reproduced the dogs! It's what immediately attracted me to it.

MIKE

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


 
mike sibleymoderator
Member since Nov-19-02
236 posts, 6 feedbacks,
Feb-26-03, 03:40 PM ()
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7. "RE: Boxer by John Duffy"
 
Quote Re the white hairs being drawing with an 'empty .o3' did he mean using the metal tip of the mechanical pencil to actually scratch into the paper?

Answer from John:

The reproduction doesn't show full detail adequately - the 'white hairs' refer to whiskers around and below the mouth areas.

The .03 mechanical pencil was empty and I used the metal tip.

MIKE

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


 


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