Giraffe

[beth]

Hi folks.
I've started a new piece and thought I'd do a WIP on this one. It will be all graphite...almost...with just a very subtle amount of watercolor pencil, one color, used dry.

I've been wanting to do a giraffe forever, but didn't have my own photos to do him from, which is where I'm trying to go...only using my own photos. So I finally got to the San Diego zoo during my vacation and got about 50 photos of giraffes. Some actually turned out well enough for a drawing. So here I go...wish me luck. Haven't really done much short fur before.

Bristol Vellum 11x14.

[Arlene]

well it looks like you're off to a good start there.

[bmac]

Beth, this looks interesting! I like the idea of one color. I'm looking forward to seeing this come alive! :)

[Meisie]

Pulling up my chair too!

Meisie

[Judy Caudill]

Im excited about this one..giraffes are my favorite! Looks good :)

[lene]

Hi Beth
looks very good :)
is it graphite mixed with wc-colorpencil from the start (looks like it ;) )
what is the color ?
why do you use a watersolouble cp dry - instead of an ordinary cp ? The color, the lead or ...?

[beth]

Arlene, thank you. :)

Beth, thanks...I hope it turns out, I went back and forth on whether to add the color or not.

Thanks, Meisie!

Judy, thx! They are my favorite as well. :D

Lene, thank you. I put down the graphite first, getting it to where I would like it if it were to be only graphite, except just a tad lighter. Then I added the color on top (and around) that. The color is number 187 of Faber Castelle Aquarelle pencils, which don't put a name on their pencils, but it's a golden brown. I use the WC pencil dry because I like the hardness and non-waxy feel of it with the graphite. I also own prismas, but they feel too waxy with the graphite for me and I am wanting a very subtle color. It's hardness keeps it sharp longer as well. There will probably be areas I do the color first, then the graphite, depending on how much intensity I want in the color.

Thanks ladies. :)

[lene]

Hi
thanks for explaning :)
I have the list of FaberCastell no and names if you need any ?
the numbers goes for polychromos + Albrecht Dührer watercolorpencils + studio watercolorpencils.
A no. 187 would then be burned ochre ;)

[beth]

Cool, thanks, Lene! It'll be much easier describing it by name. I just love the color. Do they have that list online somewhere? I didn't even think to look :rolleyes: .

I thought I'd add, I also like the way I can erase hairs easily with hold-tu (one of the putties I use) into these colored pencils as well. All a matter of preference...mostly I like the feel of them better.

[beth]

Never mind, I found it! http://www.faber-castell.us/bausteine.net/file/showfile.aspx?downdaid=6034&sp=E&domid=1010&fd=0

Thanks, Lene...I never would've thought to look.

[Denise]

Beth, this looks great so far! Gonna be really cute....interesting about the watersoluable cp and graphite. I'll be checking in and watching w/ interest:)

[Nancy]

Looks great Beth!! I like the idea of using one color with graphite. Maybe I'll give it a try sometime.

Looking forward to an update!

[beth]

Thanks, Denise!
Thank you, Nancy. You should give it a try..I'm having a real blast with it! Short fur though...holy moly...this is hard!

Here's an update. It's slow going.

[Meisie]

Terrific! I can feel his 'fur'!!!!

Meisie

[Denise]

He's coming to life, little bits at a time...you're doing awesome...don't think you have anything to fear in the short fur-you've got it!:clap:

[beth]

:D Thanks, Meisie and Denise.

Here's where I got to tonight. I didn't get to play with color tonight...so this stage you can see what it looks like before I get to put the color in. Kinda boring eh? Hehe. Normally I'd put more detail in with graphite, but since I'm using color for some detail, it's a bit less refined at this stage. The dark area around the bottom of his mouth is just some darkness for the leaves I put in so I could play with the lighter hairs coming off his mouth.

Nitey nite!

[CindyH]

Hardly boring Beth!! It looks wonderful....where are you putting the color? Did you tell us already and I just missed it?

[ravyn]

This giraffe is incredible, Beth! I just want to reach out & pet him, he looks so real!!! I just love the way you've used the color w/ the graphite! I love giraffes & this fellow reminds me of a sweet baby giraffe that we encountered at a wildlife park years ago - he stopped right in front of our car, leaned over & looked at us through the windshield while mama stood at the side of the road keeping an eye on him - the youngster stayed there for the loooongest time just peering in at us, until mama giraffe finally started to wander away & junior took off to follow her. The moment I saw your giraffe, I immediately thought of "Special" (that's what the park folks had named the baby) - thanks for sharing your gorgeous picture & bringing back a happy memory too!

[Meisie]

:clap: Beth...tell me is his tongue showing?

Meisie

[lucky]

Already looking fantastic! It's going to be another beauty! The combination of color with the graphite is really looking nice.

(And congrats on going back to the U.S. this year :))

[beth]

Cindy, thanks! Do you mean where have I put it already...or where do I plan to put it? So far I have put it around his eye, most of his right jaw area, and his forehead and horn. I haven't put it on his nose or snout at all. (I don't know if I'm naming things correctly, not a whizz at giraffe anatomy lol) I put it in places where the color version of my photo look brownish and vary the intensity just by how I feel looks good on the drawing. Did that answer?

Ravyn, what a cute story! I would've been in heaven...I think these guys are so neat and strangely graceful. Thanks very much!

Meisie, nope, no tongue...why do you ask?

Lucky, thank you very much. We are really psyched about the move too. :D

Hopefully will have an update late tonight, but my husband is coming home after being away a few days...so ya never know. :D

[Meisie]

Because the blue tongue is so very unusual...especially on a close -up :D

Meisie

[beth]

:D Oooh, I see...haha, yea they have funny tongues. I got some distant shots of one molesting a pole in the pen, but no close up ones.

[beth]

Not a real exciting update...only got to spend about 2 hours tonight. Added color to the nose. This sure is a slow one...thanks for watching for so long.

http://www.thompsonportraits.com/images/giraffewip5.jpg

[Denise]

Lovely, Beth! I see some grass!!!

did you get to spend some time w/ hubby?

[CindyH]

How exciting...this guy is just appearing out of the paper! I see now, Beth, the color. You're adding it as you go, and I thought it was yet to come. I had to do some adjustments to my monitor and I am seeing things a bit more clearly today :)

[Meisie]

;)

I'm happy to see even slow progress! He is worth it :D

Meisie

[beth]

Thank you, Denise. And yes, I got to spend some time with him when he finally got home late last night. We'll have lots of time this weekend. :)

Cindy, thanks! This is a difficult way to show artwork...the internet...because you never know about people's monitor settings. Glad you can see it and that you like it.

Meisie, thanks, girl. ;)

I'm sorry there's no update tonight. I just didn't get around to sitting down in my studio today. I'll have one sometime over the weekend.

:bye1:

[Norma69]

Beth - I am back and watching - Lordy lordy girl you are good
Can't wait til I have the time to read through the whole thread.
You go girl

Norma

[beth]

Hi Norma, thank you, ma'am. That gave me a big grin.

Here's an update. About 3 more hours into it. I have only just begun the spots on the neck...don't look at them, they're ugly. I have some more work to do on his ear...it has quite a bit of strange detail that I got blind to after a while.


http://www.thompsonportraits.com/images/giraffewip6.jpg

[PaintedHorses]

:clap: :clap: :clap:

This is super! I love the way you are developing this :)

Jeri

[Arlene]

beth the fur on this is incredible. it looks just like giraffe fur. there are two things i'm wondering about. the first is the cheek area. i think it's looking a bit flat and needs a bit of "rounding out".

the other thing is did you double check where the horns should be? the nose looks right compared to the eyes, but it appears the horn is in the wrong place. unfortunately i find for myself it's hard for me to see things like that when only a small portion is filled in. (it's why I prefer to work a whole drawing at once.;))

[Arlene]

looking again at giraffe references, i see the horns are correct...but what i do see from the references is that the skull is really a straight line up from the nose and not curved our where the eye sockets are.

I know something is off, and am wondering now with more time looking at it if the right eye (our left) is placed too far to the left?

[beth]

Hi Arlene, thank you for making me look again at this. Looking at my reference photo I find that the screen right eye is actually turned too much toward us. That is making it look off. I'll work on that tonight. Oh and his cheek bone does need some rounding out.

Thanks, Jeri!

[Rose]

Hi Beth, this is gorgeous! I love giraffes... and have a friend in NY who is a retired graphics design artist that I am going to pass this link onto... she LOVES giraffes and makes it a point to go to the Bronx Zoo once a year to see them! :-) You make it look so easy... wish I could do something that didn't look so darn pasted on. You're amazing!

~Rose

[Brenda]

What an interesting technique! I love to watch your work, Beth. You are so talented. I'll be watching!

[beth]

Rose, people think I'm so weird for loving these guys...but they are so neat aren't they? The gangly legs and the way they walk...I love to watch them. Thanks for your comments!

Brenda, thank you so much. :D I'm mostly learning this technique (besides just experimenting) from Linda Weil (http://home.exetel.com.au/lindaweil/)...one of my favorite artists and a really neat lady. She's been very helpful.

Here's an update. Had to quit at an uncomfortable time (it's after 2 a.m.!). Don't call any part of it done, I'm still working all over the place slowly. :rolleyes:

http://www.thompsonportraits.com/images/giraffewip7.jpg

[Meisie]

But they are loveable...gentle giants with a curious nature...who could not love e'm ? :)

Meisie

[Denise]

Wonderful, Beth! Such a pleasure to watch you work:D

[Rose]

Beth, you are definitely NOT weird! Giraffes are awesome animals! I always thank God when I see one because it helps remind me how God created so many varieties for all the 'weird' people in the world. Isn't it amazing??

I think you're doing fabulous... it looks sooooo real! :-) 2 a.m.? You're a die hard CPer! :-)

[beth]

Meisie, EXACTLY! I agree. :D

Denise, thanks so much.

Rose...:D You confused me with your change of ID there for a second. Thanks for your nice words. I don't get to draw until after my son goes to bed, so sometimes I tend to go very late when I get on a roll. It's hard to stop...I'm having so much fun with this piece.

I hope to post another update tonight. Tomorrow is super busy with toddler playgroups and a trip to Ikea for moving supplies lined up...so I have to get some time in tonight or I'll go crazy by Wednesday!

:bye1:

[Rose]

Beth,

I understand how you need the time to yourself. I have two active boys, ages 6 and 10, and a 20 year old daughter but she's manageable ;-). I hope you have a good time at Ikea. We had Ikea stores in NY, but none here in Fla... I had to get used to Rooms to Go.. Bleh.

I changed my name because it was confusing to others. I have three email addy's that have Lifeinhim in it... so thought it would be fitting... but then nobody remembers your name... so.. oh well, it's easier this way. :-)

Have a great day, and keep up the AWESOME work!

[Traci]

Beth - have been following this piece. Great work as usual! The texture of the fur is really starting to come through on the forehead.

[CindyH]

Watching....watching....watching.....wonderful! :clap: :clap:

[beth]

Rose, hahahaha...I am an Ikea addict and I don't think there will be one near me in South Carolina. EEK!

Thanks, Traci and Cindy!

Here's a little update. Foliage is my downfall, so I'm trying to go extra slow with the leaves. :o

[Meisie]

Awww can I kiss him on his furry forehead? :D

Meisie

[lucky]

I love your work Beth! This is really beautiful, and the technique is so cool.

He's so alive I can hear him chewing!

[beth]

Meisie and Lucky...thanks girls. You guys are so supportive. :)

Here's a small update for tonight. Just worked on palm leaves. I think I've been winging it too much on them. :p Oh well...a ways to go on this still. My scanner needs cleaning...my paper is actually white, I swear!

[Sandy]

This is just way toooooo coool Beth, you're doing just fine winging it :D , I love this picture and I think it would go real good next to my elephant.....lol lol

Sandy

[beth]

Well my fears came true. I botched it. The scan makes it look even worse than it is. :( Try and imagine the green tinted areas much smoother and nicer green color. But even then :annoyed: :bangin:

EDIT: Oops, sorry, Sandy, almost missed you there. Thank you...you're right, they would look good together. And now mine would make yours look even better hahaha.

[Rose]

Beth,

Wow....




That's all...WOW! :clap: :clap: :clap:

[lucky]

Well my fears came true. I botched it. The scan makes it look even worse than it is. Try and imagine the green tinted areas much smoother and nicer green color. But even then

:confused: Hey Beth, How come you think you ruined it? Whats wrong with it? Maybe the problem is less glaring/ non existant to us outside folks..

[beth]

Thanks, Rose, you're too nice.
Lucky, I had envisioned a very subtle and soft green showing up in the leaves with the ends where they were drying out sorta coordinating with the giraffe's fur. But it just didn't turn out very well. I think I should've just left them all graphite. :? I don't know...I guess it just wasn't what I had planned so I feel I failed. Is that silly? :rolleyes: Plus I know my husband is going to see it and go, "Why did you do that?" like he always does when I do something not all graphite. He also didn't want me to put the brown in with the giraffe fur...but I think that was a good choice. Just feeling insecure about my decisions now since it didn't turn out how I had envisioned. It's also really irritating that I can't get the green to show up even near the right color on the scan. Ok, I'll stop rambling. haha

[lucky]

Hi Beth,

I understand what you mean when things don't turn out the way you planned. Sorry 'bout that. But I don't think you failed, it is still really successful! I really like the extra colors with the graphite. I think it looks really nice! And maybe if there was too much more detail in the leaves, it would distract from the giraffe. Is it possible to add just a few highlights in the leaves? well, when I look at the drawing before with the leaves and no color, they call a lot of attention with all the contrasts, now for sure you look at them but you focus more on the giraffe... Don't beat yourself up! I think it's really great!!! (And I'm sure you can fix it so you like it.) :)

[bmac]

I do not think it is botched. I like the subtle color on the grass...better than the grass with no color. :) Don't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes our art just goes beyond what we planned and IMO this one is excellent! I'm amazed at your detail. Beautiful!

[Rose]

Beth,

I'm with Beth and Lucky... this has turned out fantastic. The color adds so much to the composition and I wouldn't change it. Sometimes mistakes are the greatest inventions! This is NOT a failure! You may have started something new!

:D

[ravyn]

Beth, I totally agree with the others, I don't think you botched him whatsoever!! He is magnificent!!! Looking back & forth between the two pictures, I like the tinted grass better too.

When I first got back to this thread, I saw your post about botching him - and before I read further, I kept looking & looking & looking at the picture, trying to figure out what was supposedly 'botched' - I finally gave up & figured it must be some super-subtle thing that a beginner wouldn't recognize - this picture just blows me away, I think it is so fantastic!!!

I feel badly for you, that YOU aren't 100% happy with it! I think it is just wonderful!! Whenever I've come to this thread, I just can't stop looking at him & I sit here and stare at him for the longest time, there's something about this sweet little guy that just grabs me & won't let me go!

hugs,

Nickie

[Arlene]

i think you pulled this together wonderfully. you solved the problems and it works well now.

as for "botching" it? I "botch" every drawing I do. None of them come out 100% the way I envision. That doesn't mean I ruined the drawing. Why be insecure and so hard on yourself?
Better to enjoy the wonderful work you did, and then vow the next time to do even better. That's how we grow. It should be a learning process even for the most accomplished artists.

[Meisie]

Arlene kinda summed it up. Maybe not what you planned, but a brilliant work nonetheless! Sign and frame it (well a postponed frame ;) ) It is beautiful!!!! Keep it up and hubby will get used to seeing colour too :D

Meisie

[Brenda]

Ah, Beth! It's great. And I thought the greens were subtle. I read from the bottom up and just before I got to your picture I was imagining spring-glaring-green or something but when I actually saw it, I really thought it looked just right. It goes right along with your giraffe.

This is good work, girl. Let go of what you had in your head and glory in the beautiful piece you have here.

[beth]

:o Aw, ladies, thank you so much. I had truly come in here expecting to see a few, "well, here's what you should have done instead" posts...but you've all made me feel so much better. Thank you. And Arlene...you're very right. That is the truth...I can't think of one piece where I've had it come out exactly like I had planned. I don't know why I let this one bother me so much. Part of it was wanting approval from my husband I think. Of course, when he saw it tonight he said, "I love the giraffe, but I don't like the green stuff." I smiled :D :D haha...and said, "That's fine...what would you have done differently?" I wasn't (really) being facetious...but he's not artistic in any way, he didn't have an answer. I'm going to take your advice, ladies, and be happy with what did come out of this piece. I'm looking forward to framing this now. :hug: Thank you, again.

[beth]

My hubby and I just decided to call this one, "Long Munch" :p :D

[Meisie]

Like the title and sooooo glad you've 'accepted' it as is ;)

Meisie

[CindyH]

I love the title and you did a fabulous job...(never let 'em see you sweat!!!)

[Rose]

Beth,

You mean, you don't want to use the title "Pick Me?"... I thought of it first! LOL Anyway, you'd need to read the thread on Cindy's cherries R Us to get that one!

Ok, for real, I LOVE the TITLE!!! It's neat to see your hubby getting into this too!

Great great job! :clap: :clap: :clap:

[lucky]

I don't know why I let this one bother me so much. Part of it was wanting approval from my husband I think.

Gosh I know how that is. :p I don't know about you, but living in another country with very little to pretty much no other friends besides for the hubby, having the comments from him be good ones is such a big deal! Some times I'll be really happy about a piece and he'll come home and point out something that's not right. Not knowig that all day I was dreaming he'd come in and be as excited about it as I am! I guess it's an unfair expectation, but it's hard not to care so much what they think, and to hope it's good! And some times I'm pretty sure they don't think a whole lot about our fragile little egos before they make their comments! :D

I'm glad you're feeling better about this one! Because it really is fantastic!

~lucky

[lene]

Hi Beth

You did a stunning drawing here :clap: That giraffe looks terrific and to me the grass looks great (... I also find grass very intersting, but hard to draw, the interest makes me rush it I suppose)

I also recognize the feelings of not achieving what I had in mind... looks like it is a more or less common feeling - totally agree with Arlene, we keep learning and the drawings/paintings we find not to be what we wanted, probably pushes us to dig into specific areas to learn more :bye1:

[Bob Ebdon]

Just :drool: :droppedja wonderful!

[beth]

Meisie, Cindy, Rose (haha yes I read that!) thanks so much, ladies.

Lucky, it is nice to know someone else feels that way. Don't get me wrong, he is my biggest fan. He just doesn't understand his comments affect me more than anyone's. I'm sure he's not trying to be mean or anything. And it is hard when there aren't other friends here, especially none with my art interests to talk to about this stuff. That's why this forum is so great! :D

Lene, I find grass just horrid to draw! I always want it there, but find it so hard I get burnt out while doing it. I tried to follow Mike Sibley's tutorials once on it, which he makes look so easy, but I just didn't grasp it. Need more practice I guess. :)

haha, Thanks, Bob!!!

[Sandy]

Oh Beth your crazy girl, who was it asking you for tips the other day.:p

This turned out just great! and I love your grass!!!!

Sandy

[Gemma]

Oh wow, this is breathtaking. I love the very sutle bit of color, you did a wonderful job on this. OOOO...... makes me want to go try something like this. I just love it!
Gemma

[Denise]

No botches here, Beth! It really turned out beautifully and I think the green in the grass was a good balance choice. Bravo:clap: :clap: :clap:

[beth]

Thank you, Sandy :hug:

Thanks, Gemma. It's really a lot of fun, I am going to try some more like it.

Denise, thank you! I'm thrilled you like it.

:bye1:

[Denise]

Denise, thank you! I'm thrilled you like it.

:bye1:

awww shucks:o :p

[beth]

By the way, I had a funny thing happen today. Well, it's funny to me because it has never happened before! I had someone who saw this piece on my website email me and ask if I was willing to sell it and if so how much? Someone wants to buy an original piece of art from me and it wasn't a commission!!! :D :D :D

[Denise]

very cool!

beware of scams though.....I think there's a thread in the business forum about an email scam.

I hope this is a legitimate offer!!!:clap:

[beth]

Oh yea, I am on the watch for those! She just said, "I love your giraffe drawing, is it for sale? If so, how much?" I'd never send anything off without having actual money in hand first...nothing goes before checks clear, that kinda thing. Silly people and their scams. Makes me so mad they get people to fall for that stuff. :mad: