WC pencil and Micron pen Illustration

[Toni]

I did this original sketch just for fun, oh, about 3or 4 years ago. Now after sitting so long, it's found a reason to see the sun again, and go a step further in it's completion.

Roughly the size is 14x10, on Strathmore Gemini 140 lb WC paper.. Ick.

Lyra watercolor pencil.. which I'm not so fond of at the moment, and my trusty Micron pen for the final lines.

I see I need to add some linework to the front of the knees, and a couple other spots. Anything else?

TJ

[Brenda]

This is hilarious!!! The expressions on the cowpoke and his mule are terrific.

And it's very interesting. We all know your technical ability and your skill in drawing the human figure and animals. It's very obvious here even though this is a cartoon.

Love it, TJ!

[Amazingreys]

Is there no END to the talent here! Wow, this is great and what fun!!!! :clap:
Did you just use the WC pencils dry? If so, did you use them instead of CP for a particular reason?
Whatever it is, it works. :clap:

[lene]

Hi Toni
Love that cartoon-drawing :) The donkeys expression is great
Is the drawing for a specific use now ?

[Toni]

Thanks Brenda! LOL, to be honest I have a sketchbook full of these things :blushing:, be prepared for more!

Thanks Dana :D , I used the watercolor pencils dry for my initial color layout, then i added water for a wash. Thats the first color image you see, but I forgot to explain what it was. I'm sorry.

I then did several color washes blended with a dry brush (damp but not drippy) before applying my final dry pencil and burnishing in places for smoother gradients with the white pencil.

Why the WC pencil? I only had one day to complete it, and it was to save time. I have about 5 hrs in this, thats from the transfer to the final color application. Thats not including the initial sketch.

Lene, Thanks. If it doesn't look quite like a donkey it's because it's a Mule, which is a hybrid. The Dam is a mare, the Sire a Donkey. ;) I think being able to play with the expressions is whats so fun.

This one has been sold, and commissons for two more to accompany it.

TJ

[Meisie]

Oh what fun!!! He looks familiar! :eek:

:D:D:D

Meisie

[Toni]

Oh what fun!!! He looks familiar! :eek:

:D:D:D

Meisie

:eek: :eek:

He does????

lol

TJ

[Meisie]

Does too....reminds me of one of the nicest people I know, here locally, has beautiful horses too. Naturally he is a ummmmm 'better looking' version :D

I hope you'll show us the rest of them when they come along?

Meisie

[bmac]

Too cute! :) Was this sold to be printed in a publication? Just curious what the inspiration was. :) I like the look you got with the wc pencils and ink.

[marilyn h]

What fun! Anxious to see the sketch book full of these!!!
Whoever, commissioned this, must be pleased as punch!!

[Toni]

Thanks thats cool Meisie! :D

Hi Beth. This one and the other two will be used for marketing images, by a local mule trainer who teaches at Peirce College in California in the winter and travels around the country doing training clinics in the summer. Inspiration? LOL.. we own 3 mules and one mare. Actually I'll be doing a portrait of Steve soon, someone I've wanted to do for several years, just one of those faces you gotta do!

Aww Marilyn thank you! Coming from you I take that as quite a compliment! :D

TJ

[lucky]

Ha ha ha! This is so cute!! Love all that character.

So good to hear this will be used for marketing, the first thing I thought was these would be perfect on t-shirts!

Looking forward to the next ones!

[Katydid]

Lene, Thanks. If it doesn't look quite like a donkey it's because it's a Mule, which is a hybrid. The Dam is a mare, the Sire a Donkey. ;) I think being able to play with the expressions is whats so fun.
TJ

yep - a mule as you defined is correct. i rode on ONCE and we made it about 10 feet in an hour. the look on his face is perfect. the one i met just bit you on the foot or leg everytime you moved the reins.

thanks for posting it - it gave me a good chuckle!

[baquitania]

... and my trusty Micron pen for the final lines.

TJ

YOUR Micron pen? Lies! Lies!! She stole that Micron pen from me in Florida, October 2003! :mad:
I'll let you have it, if I can have Stitch's first born...

B:Dbby

[Toni]

Thanks Lucky! The other two rough drafts are completed, waiting on the final ok. Won't be long now. The last two are destined for T-shirts! :eek:

Hey Katy! Thanks. Now, you must have just had a spoiled mule... belive me, not all are like that.

and if you cross a stallion with a jenny.. you get a henny, which is not comparable to a mule at all! just a bit of useless trivia ;)

hmmmm Lookie what the cat drug in!

I'll have you know those micron pens died!!! I had to replace them ... cheap florida junk..hhehehehee :p Speaking of... Did you remember Mals birthday earlier this week? uhhh huhhh your in such trouble! :bangin:

TJ

[Meisie]

So what's a jenny TJ?

Meisie

[Toni]

So what's a jenny TJ?

Meisie

a female donkey :D , aren't ya glad you asked?

;)

TJ

[baquitania]

OH CRAP!!! :eek:

[Toni]

OH CRAP!!! :eek:

*snickers* tsk tsk tsk...... :bangin: :bangin: :bangin: :bangin: :bangin: :bangin: :bangin: :bangin: :bangin: :bangin:

[Meisie]

Thanks TJ! hmmm are they generally better behaved than mules or is 'stubborn as a mule' pure fiction?

I'm serious btw, know nothing of these animals. :o

Meisie

[Toni]

Meisie thats a topic that could take hours... :)

let's just say a mule is desireable, and a henny is not. For a multitude of reasons. One being that a mule as a hybrid is alot stronger than either of it's "pure" parents, while a henny lacks the strength and bone for heavy work. They actually appear physically different, if you know what to look for.

Mules historically have been used for heavy workloads for that reason. Old time mules were bred from whatever old nasty mare ppl had around. A nasty mare produces a nasty mule. Todays mules are bred from high dollar, quality mares and jacks, producing a high dollar very desireable, versitile riding animal. Todays mules can do everything horses do, and then some. ;)

As a mule owner/rider I can tell you they ride differently. If you've ever rode a horse you'll know how you get that side to side sway that can be so tireing. Mules don't have that. They get their bone structure from the donkey. Easier to ride for long distances.

Hmmm training. Horses learn from repitition, mules because you have to explain the process and let him ask questions. Once understood .. they have it. If you treat them like a horse, you'll get a grumpy mule.

Same with Tack... use horse tack on a mule, you get a grumpy mule, that whole bone structure/movement thing.

that pretty much sums it up..lol... ;)

[Katydid]

that explains why poor old Sarge kept biting me. i asked for it. i treated him like a horse. i owe him an apolgy :D

edit - i am sure the owner used the same bridle, bit, and saddle. i think i should go help the poor mule bite him.

[Meisie]

Toni that is fascinating! I'd love to have you explain it al to me over a cup of coffee. Especially how you know what they are asking. Guess you really need to know your animal to be able to read them well. Have you been trainig mules for a while? and horses?
Never knew there was so 'much' to a mule. Always had the impression they are 'glorified' donkey, stupid and stubborn.
Now I'd like to find a local mule owner to tell me more. :D

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions from a total 'ignoramius'.

Meisie

[Toni]

LOL Katy! Poor Sarge. Those horse bars in that saddle just pinch his donkey built back I bet. He probably knew that when someone got on, it really hurt. By biting the rider, they would get off faster, thus relieving that pain. ;) Pretty smart ol Sarge huh?

Meisie, sounds good to me. So what do you say, we meet somewhere in the middle? ;)

I don't profess to "train" my mule or horse. More like they trained me :D . Actually the truth is everytime we saddle up we're training of some type, be it good or bad, intentional or accidental. I've not ridden myself in over a year now, my mule (Echo) thinks shes on vacation at a luxury resort :rolleyes:

Mule people are determined to prove that anything a good horse can do, a good mule can do better.

:D

TJ