Sunday, October 11, 2009

Start of a new portrait

Back to colour and a nice, small dog to start with to get me back into drawing with my pencils again. It feels like an eternity since I last put pencil to paper and I’m pleased to say the enjoyment, at least, is definitely still there. My motivation is not the same but then that is to be expected under the circumstances (she says trying to convince herself) and I’m confident this will return when it’s ready. Hopefully along with my ‘artistic inspiration’.

'Bruno'
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2009

14 comments:

Anil said...

Very nice drawings :)

Grahame Butler said...

As always incredible, great to have you back...

Unknown said...

Really lovely start Laura, the issues you are struggling with haven't affected your talent.
I hope things move in a positive direction from now on.

Sue Clinker said...

Beautiful start. I've just finished a spaniel portrait so I know just how much work goes into those ears :o)

Elizabeth McCrindle said...

Great start he's gorgeous :)

Laura said...

Thank you 'never_give_up' and welcome to my blog:)

Thank you Grahame, it's good to be back even if things may be a bit sporadic for the forseeable future:)

Hi Gayle and thank you - I too hope that things will be more positive from now on:)

Hi Sue and thank you to you too:) Yes those ears are time consuming, especially if working in coloured pencil - all those curls. And I still have one left to do:)

Thank you Elizabeth:)

Zuzana_B said...

How long drawing one drawing? Because your work is beautiful

Jennifer Rose said...

ooh love that curly ear :D

Colette Theriault said...

Beautiful detail as always! Can't wait to see it finished.

Laura said...

Thank you:)

Zuzana, in answer to your question my drawings can take anywhere from 20/25 hours to 35/40 hours dependant on the dog I am drawing, size, etc. Things like curly ears, as on this dog, takes more time and can be very time consuming whereas short haired dogs are quicker (providing their colouring is straightforward - brindles for example take longer:))

Teresa Mallen said...

Wow, gorgeous!!

Ana Márquez said...

Hola. My English is very poor and, unfortunately, I cannot understand well all yours words. I try to draw with color pencils, but, I don't get this realism. Can you tell me the brand of your pencils? Are they normal color pencils?

Anyway, I think you are a great, great artist, your work is very difficult. Congratulations!. I send you greetings from Spain, in Europe :-)

Zuzana_B said...

And how and who taught you to draw portraits?:)

Laura said...

Thank you:)

Hi Ana and welcome to my blog - your English is very good (way better than my Spanish:)) In answer to your question I use mainly Derwent Artist pencils but also use FC Polychromos, Caran d'Ache Luminance and Pablo with the odd Prismacolor and Derwent Coloursoft. All are artist grade pencils.

Hi Zuzana, I've been drawing for many, many years (went to art college on leaving school) and have basically learned the more I drew. I learn something new with each portrait I draw and always (well nearly always)think my latest portrait is better than the last. What is it they say - practice, practice, practice - so true:)