African Bush Elephant Head Study - Progressions 1

I tend to get bored easily with just one drawing (typical me!) so yesterday I started this elephant. He's more of a study drawing. I'm concentrating only on the head features to learn more about the textures of his skin and his anatomy. Elephants are amazing intelligent and highly sociable animals. Sadly we're seeing more and more news of poaching going on for their ivory. The iconic Musango Bull was killed last year by a trophy hunter. A sad ending to a magnificent tusker such as he was. I've used 4H, 2H, H and HB so far on this drawing.

A Lady in Waiting - Progressions 3

I've been taking my time with this drawing. Horses are complicated with many muscles in their heads. It's far from perfect. The rosette isn't perfectly rounded as it should be but I'm not going to change it so far into the drawing. I'm still using many layers of 2H,4H,H,HB and in some parts B pencil. Her eye is a challenge with the many folds and shadings within it. But so far I'm quite happy with her progress. I have two drawings on the go at the moment and enjoying doing both of them.

A Lady in Waiting - Progressions 2

 

I'm slowly graduating the grades of pencil and adding in the finer detail as I go. There's no hurry to do this. Hopefully she will turn out okay. It's been a while since I've done something as large as this drawing is. I've really enjoyed doing this one!

A Lady in Waiting - Progressions 1

I love horses. I have a 30 year old 1st cross quarter horse here with me on the farm. This beautiful mare was half sleeping in the sunshine at a local show while she was waiting for her class to start. I could resist grabbing a photo of her. She sure was indeed an elegant lady.

Tygo with his ball - The completed piece

This is only the third tiger I have ever done and he was a challenge! Tygo is at last finished. I still have concerns about the foreshortening but this is for a logo. I like to be as accurate as possible with anything I do - but no-one is ever perfect if we were we would never learn. Thanks goes to Karen who supplied the reference image and also to Zion Wildlife Gardens for their kindness and generosity in allowing me to have access to photograph their beautiful big cats at the park.

Tygo with his ball - progressions part 2

I've progressed further now with Tygo. I'm having to be very very careful around his whiskers and muzzle area. One slip of the fine pen and it will be ruined if I rush any of it. I've been thoroughly enjoying doing this piece for the Toyz for Zion Cats group. It's a great cause and I can't wait to see the big cats at Zion Wildlife Gardens enjoy their new toys they will be given by such caring and wonderful people as this group are.

Tygo with his ball - progressions

Tygo is one of my favourite tigers. He's a white tiger at Zion Wildlife Gardens near where I live. Tygo has a favourite ball and loves to play with it whenever he can. I've done this drawing for a logo to be used for a UK Charity named Toyz 4 Zion Cats. This group are a wonderful gathering of caring people who are working on enrichment solutions and ideas for the big cats that live at the park. They're only in their infancy at this stage but already they're purchased a ball which will soon arrive here in New Zealand as a gift for the big cats. Can't wait to see the fun begin. These are the stages so far for Tygo - sorry about the image quality it's far too big to scan so I've had to make do with my not so good camera!