by Carol on 6/15/2009 2:48:08 PM
Drawing of Tabby Cat with Pastel Pencil
As an artist, it has always been important for me to take on new challenges. This stretches me artistically, I have to solve different painting problems and it forces me to research. Recently, I have been asked to paint people's pets as a part of my Memory Portrait reportoire. Why not? It has been years since I have painted an animal, but I willing to give it try. Besides, we have been avid cat lovers for years and I grew up with dogs. My research included looking on the web for other pet portrait artists and buying a book on the subject.
It seemed logical for me to start practicing with an animal I knew well and had easy access to. After taking many photographs of our sweet orange tabby cat, I settled on a simple, direct head shot. His name is Red or Little Red depending on the moment, though he weighs in at about 13lbs! Red is about 2 years old.
I decided to use my pastels on a 14" x 11" sanded board that is colored a neutral gray brown. I have never used this substrate before, so I have a couple of challenges going on at one time, which is not unusual for me. I drew a pencil drawing of Red on tracing paper and then transferred that image onto the board. Pastel pencil is my preferred marking pencil because it does not show through my subsequent layers of pastel. I choose a color that is compatible with my subject and that I can easily see. Here I used a light yellow pastel pencil.
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