baby owl not impressed stage 2 WIP

[Painter65]

This is a sketch from a photo of my son with a small owl in his hand. My problem, I seem to leave many construction lines/textural/contour lines in finished work. How do I tone down the VERY DIFFICULT hands to draw more attention to the owl.....AND if i blend and blend and blend, will the drawing become more "photo-real"? If not, what should I be doing with graphite to approach that style/look?

[Manish]

If u use F grade pencil for initial drawing, then it should be easy to remove using kneaded eraser.

[ArtsyBren]

Painter, you have an excellent composition here and you are right about the lines needing to go. I can only say how I approach my graphite drawings. I use a 2H with a very light hand to lay out my drawings. I never press hard because I know that I will remove them as my drawings come to life. There are many techniques that artists use to create realism in their drawings. I like to layer my graphite using a very light hand, until I am happy that I have finished that particular portion of the drawing. It took me quite a bit of practice to decide what pencils to blend together, but I leave very little constructive line in my drawings when I am done. The construction lines only stay long enough for me to get down the general light, dark and mid tones in that area, then I remove them. In the rose in my signature line, I removed all of the lines and used the different tones of graphite to suggest the rose. It creates the realism that I wish to have in my drawings. Some of this just takes practice. You obviously have talent, a little tweaking and this will be a wonderful drawing!

[Painter65]

Thank-you Bren and Manish for your suggestions. I will post again once I have spent a few more hours with graphite and kneadable eraser.

[SparrowHawk7]

A thought in addition to the above advice is to try BluTack. It's slightly sticky but otherwise is exactly like a kneaded eraser. I'd roll it into a ball and go over the darker areas that you wish to lighten. It will take a little time but the stickiness grabs the graphite and actually lifts it off without rubbing .. and being a ball it removes it very evenly. You will have a difficult time trying to remove graphite evenly by rubbing or dabbing with a kneaded eraser.

I know this is tough to do but if you go darker on the owl with more contrast it will stand out in more realism. It's always the darks that add the punch but they can be elusive. The eyes could go darker which would also divert more attention to them. Eyes always grab attention. Right now they are somewhat in competition with your son's due to a similar value. Charcoal can help darken things but it takes a bit of practice.

[luicre]

Painter I think this is very good work. There is no doubt about the hands and the baby owl being the main focal point.

The hands are very well done!


As far as your concern about the construction lines, it is my guess that is up to you. You have already got great advices above, from Manish, Bren and Ken.

Now if you are asking for a way to work with graphite because you want to achieve a more realistic finish to your works, then it`s all about practice and following the advices and eventually finding your way.

However I do like your work the way it is now. It`s loose yet dynamic and it captures a lovely scene.

Please, keep drawing sharing your work with us.

Saludos

Luicre

[Painter65]

Well, four more hours later, getting there? Tried darkening with charcoal, remembered how difficult it is to apply over the glossy graphite.

[Painter65]

Getting there..still have to tackle the drapery of the shirt and decide about the background. Darkened the owl with some charcoal, seems it is difficult to apply it over the glossy graphite surface, def something to remember for next time.

Does anyone know, is it possible to go back and change the title of a thread, in this case to WIP rather than begin a new one?

[arnoud3272]

Does anyone know, is it possible to go back and change the title of a thread, in this case to WIP rather than begin a new one?

As you see, ask a moderator to change the title after you appended the next post .

[Painter65]

Thank-you :>

[ArtsyBren]

I do like the improvements you are making! The owl is definitely the center of attention now!

[SparrowHawk7]

That's better ... at least IMO