My scanner does not always do my sketches justice  ..sometimes the light refects on the graphite - giving dark or shiny patches.  Quite often, fine sketching won't be picked up by the scanner, so in some sketches, where possible,  I've carefully outlined the edges slightly heavier so it can be picked up. 

Wanted

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GRETA  ~ for Jonathan

Greta was a beautiful Tonkinese who was sadly lost her battle to Cancer last year.  

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DREAMTIME VALENTINO ~ Arabian Warm Blood 

Very roughly blocked in so I can start attention to detail.  That ribbon in going to be a challenge!

Highlighted the darkest areas and started sketching his head very finely, giving a smoother appearance.

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OLD HOMESTEAD

Sofala Road, on the way to Hillsend outback NSW

As soon as I saw this photo taken by Cherylle, I just knew I wanted to sketch it.  I've never sketched a house or building before, so I'm looking forward to a new challenge.

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THERESA

Happy Birthday Theresa!

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LUCY ~rip~

Lucy will be very sadly missed by my brother-in-law Allan, not just  because she was a valuable and incredible working dog on their dairy farm, but as a very loyal and special companion. When I visited last March, I took this photo of 8 year old Lucy with the intention of sketching her one day - I just wish I was sketching Lucy under happier circumstances.

This is quite a small sketch (10cm x 10cm) as it is going to be placed in a frame for Allan’s desk.

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CADELL ~rip~

I’ve just started sketching this magnificent boy, who has sadly passed over the Rainbow Bridge. 

Big hugs to Anneliese.
I’ve had to carefully outline the sketch so it would show up in the scanner, but that won’t effect the sketch in anyway, although it does look a bit odd outlined!

Once the eyes are sketched, Cadell begins to come to life. 

Sometimes it’s possible to over-work a sketch, and I did just that!.  I wasn’t intending on showing anyone and admitting to mucking it up - but then decided what’s the point if I only show you the good bits.  I should have scanned the over-worked area so you could see exactly what I did wrong ..maybe I’m secretly glad I didn’t!  

I’ve carefully taken the cloth on the table, his tail, feet and inside his ears back with a pliable art rubber, so I’ll start again fresh tomorrow.  Best I walk away for now.

These pliable art rubbers are brilliant. Shaped accordingly, carefully use a dabbing or rolling movement. Perfect for cleaning up any unwanted smudges!

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FRAMED SKETCHES

Framing really does finish off a sketch beautifully, even tho the glass has made it very hard to get a good photograph.

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BOBBY

Bobby is such a gorgeous natured boy, purring his head off. Photographing him was not easy as all he wanted to do was head-butt the camera ..and flop and roll about. So in the end a sketch of Bobby doing just that seemed so fitting.

I can never resist starting a sketch with the subjects eyes.

Pencil detail close up. Hair by hair.

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HANDY HINT

When pencil sketching, convert your colour photograph to greyscale to see the tonal values easier. 

  HRH Fast Eddie ~rip~

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RICKY ~rip~

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MEG ~rip~

This beautiful mare Meg, belonged to my niece, Lori.

I forgot to take a scan of the finished sketch before it was framed, so next time I visit Lori, I’ll take a photo of the framed sketch and post it here.    

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SOXY

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JOHN & ENID

My girlfriends lovely parents.

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BIZKIT

My now 4 year old Burmese when he was a kitten, skidding and hiding in newspaper - his favourite pastime!

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LARRY

Louise's beloved Dad