Double Trouble

(Nov 19, 2009)

Not much to say this week.  Two more calendar images drawn. I’d hoped to have some color on these.  I’ll probably post that next week.

For some reason, I had some problems trying to draw these at full size (approx. 10″ x 13.5″), so I worked out the compositions in my sketchbook:

I then scanned them, tweaked and cropped them in Photoshop, then blew them up to full size and printed them out. Finally I traced the printouts onto bristol board and did the final pencils over those.

It’s a simple trick, though one I’m slow to use.  I guess part of me wants to conquer the challenge of drawing at a larger size.

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I just want to take a moment to “pour a forty” for my first green Col-Erase pencil, which ended it’s artistic services during the drawing of the above two pieces.  It’s been a while since I’ve used non-mechanical pencils, so I forgot the maddening task of getting use out of one as it gets whittled down from sharpening.  There’s still enough length to hold on to, but my hand cramps up if I draw with it for more than 10-15 minutes.  I can probably still use it to sketch with, but it’s days of serious art-making are long gone.

Good-night, sweet prince;  And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Edit: In the comments, Jeffrey pointed out a good way to extend the life of the pencil, so I guess its work isn’t done after all.