Friday, February 26, 2010

Super small print!


I don't think I've ever had to reproduce something so small, especially text. The only part that was impossible for me to draw legibly were the three minute stars above the eagle's head (inside the circular seal). Working at this size, I found it extremely difficult to draw each letter straight and to have all the letters in the text align perfectly. The text below the eagle/Pentagon inside the circle seal reads Semper Vigilans translated to English means "Always on Watch", which is the last part I am adding to the artwork.

For those of you who are wondering, the white text was firstly drawn using a light graphite pencil and then indented using a fine pointed tool. The blue color was applied using the side of a blue colored pencil lead to prevent from coloring inside the indentations.

Pentagon Police drawing the badge...


I was able to draw most of the badge today with only a small circular area to complete. I kept the best (worst) for last....the details in that small has very small lettering which will be difficult to reproduce. I will need a steady hand for sure...

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Drawing of Mountain Gorilla on drafting film


During this sitting I have been mainly concentrating on the wrinkled skin below the gorilla's eyes. The background appears a dull gray due to the backing paper. This is due to the support (drafting film) being translucent.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Canadian Parliament drawing update


I'm getting pretty excited that this drawing is almost complete. I have a bit left on the midsection of the tower and then the top right archway where I will be adding one or two pigeons. I will most likely be adding some clouds here and there to break the monotony of the plain sky.

Mountain Gorilla drawing on the easel

Last spring, I took several photo of a huge silver back male at Disney's Animal Kingdom. I just loved the expression in his eyes on this pose and so cropped out much of the background and body and decided to make this my next project. I am working in colored pencils on drafting film.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Pentagon artwork update


I am satisfied with the look of the US Pentagon building now that the coloring stage is completed. In the next sitting, I will start the preliminary sketch of the US Pentagon Police Department (USPPD) badge.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Application of color using Prismacolor pencils


During today's sitting, I was confident enough to start the coloring stage of the Pentagon building. I mainly used 20% and 60% french grays, ginger root and black Prismacolor pencils. I also used Prismacolor Verithin gray and black pencils to define the borders and achieve sharper lines. This is the first time I use them and fine them very hard and perfect for detailing.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Pentagon Building drawing update


It's hard to believe the amount of time I spent simply sketching the layout of the Pentagon building...I lost track somewhere after about 3-4hrs. This is such a complicated structure that I have to consult several different reference photographs almost every few seconds just to ensure that I am drawing it correctly and to scale. Proportions and exactness are everything in this piece!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Canadian Parliament Building Ottawa Drawing update


I last worked on this piece before Christmas. Now that my daughter has started her night classes again, I have some time to devote to finish this drawing while I wait for her. The teacher was kind enough to let me work in a spacious lounge which has bright lighting and several large tables. Probably another 6-8 hours or so of work left before I am able to frame and hang this one. The tiny details on the building take forever and are getting hard on my eyes!!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Pentagon US flag drawing update


At last the red stripes on the flag are almost completed! I still need to fill in a small area under the lab's chin where the stripes run from 11 to 5 o'clock position due to the fold in the flag. I will most likely leave that for when after I complete the top of the Pentagon building...which is my next task.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Star spangled banner...shinny US flag


What a change in color and texture on this drawing as I start to work on the flag. I'm almost done the stars/blue area of the US flag and it seems I can't wait to add the red stripes! The additional color should give this portrait some "zing" and the dogs' coloration might appear less "dull".

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Black Labrador Retreiver working dog-update on drawing


During this morning's sitting, I was able to complete most of Turk's portrait. Compared to the Belgian Malinois and the German shepherd, his coat is very shinny like most of the black labs I've seen. Once I complete the neck fur, I'll start to work on the bright red and blue colors of the American flag.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

police dog artwork progress



Turk, the dog I am currently working on is a black Labrador retriever. He is now retired from detection duties at the Pentagon. Having him featured on the artwork is a nice way to honor and remember him for his years of service as a detection dog for the US government.