The right hand dog was the time-consumer. I was working from a reversed photograph, I changed its colour and I lit it from the front (the source is back lit so the head has no detail).

Total drawing time for those who count minutes (which includes me) was 114 hours 20 minutes.

Until a week ago this drawing was going to be the main print in a set of three but I I've cancelled the two Companion prints as I decided they added little to the overall theme.

Critiques welcome! But speak soon so I've got time to make changes - I'm delivering the original to the Printer next monday.

MIKE

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

MIKE

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

But all in all, this is great masterpiece. I am sure doglovers love this drawing too

I came across your website a few weeks ago, just after I started drawing again, and you have truly inspired me to keep trying.

I cannot see anything to improve on this myself....

On another note, something that's been bugging me - I bought a clutch pencil and some leads the other day, but can't seem to find a lead pointer anywhere! Do you know where I might be able to get hold of one?

thanks
Shelby

- Melissa (aka: Honey Bee)

I also have a problem with the stark sunlit wall. It seems like a hole in the drawing. I hope that this is just a jpeg problem.

Two other things that stand out to me is the bird; a tad to dark and it gets lost in the background. The other is the contrast between the tail of the right hand dog and the thing in the background; they seem to blend together too much and I think would look better if the 'thing' was darker.

Hope this does not come across in the wrong way as I think the overall drawing is fantastic and I really like how you 'create' the picture vs. just copying verbatum.

Bob

I too have a small observation about the wall. The large white area doesn't really bother me. However, the edge of the wall is not linear, indicating the wall has suffered some chipping or wear and tear. However, the contrast between the wall and the objects in the background is so great that it appears the edge of the wall is a sharp corner, which given the non-linear edge seems unlikely. To me, it seems like there should be more "texture" on the edge of the wall in a few areas to show the wear that causes the non-linear edge.

There is a degree of shaping and detailing on the corner that is not evident in the scan. Some is left sharp where plaster has been chipped off (such as by the swallow) and in other places (above the tap) the broken edge of the plaster has been worn smooth.

However, I'll attend to that wall tomorrow and let you see how I got on. My one concern is that if I add an overall tone to the wall, it might kill the shadows by lessening the contrast. On the other hand it might serve to brighten the dogs? I'll give it a try.

<<some deeper shadows and slightly lighter tones on the objects within the shadows. I'm currious if you went about this in layers until reaching suitable dark tones and using blu-tac where needed or if you used a differnt method to best achieve this?>>
Shelby: I pushed the tones to a level just below that which I thought I would need to display the bird. Then, with the bird drawn, I added further layers until the bird was sufficiently pushed forward. The bird is a little more noticeable in the original than it appears in the scan.

<<...the contrast between the tail of the right hand dog and the thing in the background; they seem to blend together too much and I think would look better if the 'thing' was darker.>>
Bob: The "thing" is one of Badger's hind legs (he's our carriage driving horse). I thought I would agree with you but I now prefer it as it is. If the tail was too prominent I think it would direct the eye where I don't want it to go. By leaving it a bit muddled I know I'm making the viewer to sort it out - but aren't many things in life like that? I decided the visual problem was easily resolved so I left it as a "reality". However, Badger's legs are in relative shadow so I could (and might) tone them down a bit more.

<<...the contrast between the wall and the objects in the background is so great that it appears the edge of the wall is a sharp corner, which given the non-linear edge seems unlikely. To me, it seems like there should be more "texture" on the edge of the wall in a few areas to show the wear that causes the non-linear edge.>>
Eye-fly: Maybe these details will help resolve your concern? I accept your point... but you haven't seen our house! Take the plaster off the walls and NOTHING is linear!

The indentations in the plaster edge are not quite as dramatic as they seem. You can just make out in the scan that an edge of exposed brickwork exists? This gives the true edge of the wall with a thickness of plaster remaining in certain sections.

<<One thing I love about your drawings Mike is the amazing ability you have of putting the imagination of movement and smell in you work! I can see the two dogs tails moving and I can even smell their fur..... >>
Bella: I really don't know what to say. That must be one of the nicest compliments I've ever been paid. Suddenly I'm liking this drawing a whole lot better than I was.....

MIKE

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

"The indentations in the plaster edge are not quite as dramatic as they seem. You can just make out in the scan that an edge of exposed brickwork exists? This gives the true edge of the wall with a thickness of plaster remaining in certain sections."

Those details do give me a better understanding. I saw the bricks, and like the cracked, non-linear look. Really adds character (my parents barn must have a lot of character). I was commenting more on showing some thickness to the plaster itself. There are a few spots around the faucett where it appears the edge (in the plaster itself) left from the breaking off of the plaster is a little rounded or chamfered. That's what I couldn't see in the original image. This gives a hint of a little depth to the plaster itself, and it appears you've already done what I was thinking. You're a true master at this stuff (you probably get tired of hearing that).