I posted this Moonlit Wolf on wc for critique specific to the composition. It was pointed out that the tree draws the eye up and out of the drawing somewhat. I agree and I think I'll turn it into a stump instead to solve that problem. The tree also needs more substance at the base like roots to take away the hovering feeling. So some dark gnarly roots are in order too. The critique was much appreciated and helped me to SEE what I need to improve. I must get to it today.

My new camera has arrived...so much to read and learn about how to use it. It is similiar ofcourse to the 35mm camera in some aspects like the functions of apertures etc. But still....so much to read just read to begin with!

I am having what I perceive to be success with the wolf in forest project. I researched and reviewed any and all the info I could find regarding composition. And, I think I have come up with something that works. I did not post on wc as a work in progress though. I am debating on which forum to post for critique. There are several forums to chose from. I don't want to be brutally blown out of the water nor do I want to miss out on the constructive criticism that will help me grow as an artist. What to do...what to do??? I have a few days to decide until I finish things up on it. Right now I'm working on the wolf's eyes. I have a reference photo for that at least. The background came out of my brain...painful very painful. I plucked several aspects that I liked from about 5 photos and basically stuck em in together. Some of it even just developed as the graphite worked into the grain of the paper. It is too close to finished to post as a wip so I'll complete it and then take it to task with those who know waaaaaay more than me.

Hey, hey, hey! My new toy...I mean very serious artistic tool in the form of a DSLR camera should be here in a few days!!!! So excited about that.

The Chihuahua is complete. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. Now I am to begin something new. I am starting on a drawing that will have a natural sort of forest background behind a wolf. Now the wolf part is not the challenge...it is the background that will vex and annoy me. It is something that I have never had the patience to do. I've tried before but without success as I quit before I get too far in. I have the outline of the wolf and the main tree trunk in place. I also have some vague lines going on to suggest the lay of the land which will appear to rise behind the wolf...I hope. I may get brave enough to do this as a wip on wc...maybe. Not too sure about that.

ooh,oooh,oooh I'm so excited. I've ordered a new camera! It's a Pentax K-X model so I can use my existing Pentax K mount lenses and accessories with it. It is apparently the latest Pentax 'user friendly' digital SLR camera. I really do need the user friendly kind of thing...automatic stuff...but it also has a manual setting to use for more creativity once I get the hang of it. I am looking forward to better shots and something new to learn and play with. We went to an Arts and Crafts Show and Sale today. Their are some extremely talented folks around here. This sort of thing always inspires me to improve and learn more about how to create believable art work. My latest drawing work in progress is a Chihuahua portrait. Such cute little critters. After this little guy is completed it is time for me to expand what I do by exploring effective and interesting backgrounds. I never have bothered with that but it is time to get at it. Natural themes but not vast landscapes seems to be a logical place for me to start. Research!

These are my two latest completed projects. The horse is Music with Chris...the drawing is a gift for Trudi. It was their 10 anniversary a while back. Congrats ofcourse. Trudi took the photo I used for reference and I felt so inspired by it. Now the kittenses were just too cute to pass up taking a stab at drawing. It was fun to work out their little faces and assign imaginary personalities to each one as I worked on them.

My dragon project seems to have gone into hibernation for the time being. I am beginning to rethink the largeness of it. I am seriously considering scaling it down ...quite a lot. It is very and I really do mean VERY boring to work on something big, big, big and disjointed. Perhaps 11" by14" total is more sensible and will keep me interested and focussed on the task. I need to think and decide...I hate incomplete projects.

Here kitty kitty kitty. Drew this tiger while watching that brain sapping TV that I can't seem to avoid. At least it only gets part of my attention at any time. I have a new project on the go ....well actually 2 new projects. One is a colour pencil of a little girl which I only struggle along with at my desk 'cause colour is HARD to do. The other is one I can do in front of the TV again. It's a photo a friend took of her husband and her horse...I want to do it to give to her. She is a gifted artist herself in pastels. Anyway that's that.

This arabian horse is drawn from a photo stock library on wc. It is so striking in color (a brilliant chestnut) so I may give it a go in color pencil as well as this graphite rendering of it. I'll do a few unrelated projects first though to get a fresh perspective 'in color'. Graphite is my pet medium while all others are unpracticed and require waaaay more effort and thought while I work.

Well today I have added a corrected version of this horse. It was pointed out to me that the nose was twisted. Soooo, I fixed that and enlarged the nostrils to look better as well. I attempted to fix the harsh dark shadow under the head but had limited success lifting the graphite. So it goes.