Wednesday 27 February 2013

Cat Breed Studies: Siamese

The final of my large cat series for now, a very playful Siamese. I used a more subtle colour-scheme for this one to emphasize the delicate neutral colours of the fur. More info on this feline breed series can be found in the previous post here







More cats:

Cat Breed Studies: Silver Tabby

A silver/grey tabby this time, I love their markings and golden eyes. More info on this feline breed series can be found in the previous post here




More cats:

Sunday 24 February 2013

Cat Breed Studies: Ginger Tabby

A slightly amused, very mischievous looking ginger tab....I think I may write a little story to go with these. More info on this feline breed series can be found in the previous post here.





More cats:

How very Out-Of-Season...Festive Mince Pies

In-keeping with the theme and style of my classic tea-room cakes.....traditional mince pies complete with a sprig of holly. I was lucky enough to have some (still!) left over from Christmas, so I was able to work from life with these. For a possible 2013 Christmas card. 

Which one is your favourite?



Thursday 21 February 2013

Experimental: "Hair-style Personality" Portraits

Now for something completely different: Through December and early January I attempted some portraits.... These particular ones were inspired by three close friends of mine and their distinct personalities. I now know that I love drawing hair, so I made this my focus. Presenting "occasion" hair, 
"winter" hair and "nature" hair (still a work in progress)..

They are a little different to my usual approach because I experimented in a number of ways, including my drawing style, paper type and painting technique.










In my opinion they have a very girly, soft, almost story-book style to them. I prefer my more loose and relaxed style over this more clean, smooth 'cute' style. I may not be overly happy with them, but their 'portraitees' love them. 

As with the cat breed portraits, I look forward to taking a more relaxed, looser approach to my drawings next time. Perhaps some more life-drawing is in order..


Monday 18 February 2013

Cat Breed Studies: Maine Coon

"Maine Coon" study. I love their long fur and pointy ears. More info on this feline breed
series can be found in the previous post here.







More cats:

Sunday 17 February 2013

Cat Breed Studies: Russian Blue

The first of more cats! With this series I have been aiming to improve on the more detailed kind of pet studies from the cat food packaging and the Urban Pup dog apparel illustrations.


I find drawing/exploring a few different breeds/types of an animal or subject is a good way to notice their distinct and unique forms; in the hope of noting differences like hair/fur textures and variations in body shapes and sizes will hopefully make the subject a little more accurate.



Hey, do you think this rather regal-looking Russian Blue bares a resemblance to the "Sheba" cat?




These "cat breed studies" are a little more detailed to how I usually illustrate (and seem to be in the league of almost realistic portraits) ..

I feel I definitely need to get back to my own looser and much livelier style of illustrating - I hope it will loosen me up again after all this detailed work!