ORIGINAL DRAWINGS
No medium captures the ebb and flow of fur like drawing. Whether the medium is graphite or charcoal, the cascading or radiating textures are unique to each subject I draw. If the fur is long or in tight curls, matted or sleek the in-depth study of shadows and highlights are important to capture in order to portray the subject accurately.
MEDIUMS VARY: Each possesses a quality that accentuates the subject. Graphite allows for smooth detail, charcoal can be dramatic and pen and ink can be stark yet charming.
EMOTION AND ATTITUDE
EYES are at the heart of capturing emotion and attitude. In fact, they are the feature I spend the most time on. They have to be right or the subject appears soulless. With eyes:
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Depth is created with layers
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Reflections add dimension
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Outside shape is key
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Shadows add drama
TIMELESS, MINIMALIST COMPOSITIONS
Leaving the space largely void around the subject draws your eye through the details. An elegance is created when the negative space or white space is controlled or cropped to balance the subject.
Benefits to a minimalist style include:
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Fitting all interior design styles
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Allowing for personal framing preferences
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Complimenting existing art pieces in your home
COMBINATIONS
"I'm constantly trying new things with custom art. In this piece of a dog I wove together abstract (the outline and blocked in color) with realism (the eyes, nose and shading). I used a maple veneer panel that was 2 1/2" thick and blackened the edge. It is large and has presence in a room. By design, I wanted the minimalist contour lines to draw your attention to the realistic eyes. I used oil paint, paint marker, graphite and charcoal."
MATERIALS
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High-quality, acid-free, archival paper. The method used to press the paper is important and carefully considered.
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Non-yellowing final fixative adds stability to delicate mediums like charcoal.
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Black paper and white paper are available in varying shades. I carefully weigh the brightness level or richness at the onset of the piece to compliment the drawing medium.
