inktober 2016

Every October, artists all over the world take on the InkToberdrawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month. Jake Parker created InkTober in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. you can check out his work by clicking on the link below.

The Inktober Initiative - Mr Jake Parker

mrjakeparker.com/inktober

This October I  decided to work with walnut ink,which has a lovely warm tone.   I was asked to do a

 series of Sepia tone drawings for a commission and walnut ink fit the bill for that as well.  

"Charlie"

walnut ink

9" x 6"

"Klaus" 1,2, &3

walnut ink

all 9" x 6"

"Daisy"

walnut ink

5" x  4"

'"Clover"

walnut ink in sketchbook

"Anny"

walnut ink in sketchbook

So far this October I have stayed on the subject of dogs but I have squeezed in a portrait or two as well.  ( Last September I did only portraits, of my daughter, using walnut ink.)

Whatever the subject, it is always good to get back to basics, and polish those drawing skills!

another 100 Day Project...

"German Shepherd"

10.5" x 14"

charcoal on paper

Sometimes when I'm working on a commission, the client will give me a ton of great reference photos...  This is from one of many gorgeous photos of Klaus, the German Shepherd.  He is perfect for charcoal, with his dramatic black muzzle.  Funny how different breeds look best in different mediums, like my Golden Retriever, Clover, always looks good in watercolor, yellow ochre particularly... 

Anyway, I've started another 100 Day Project, 100 charcoal dog drawings. As much as I love watercolor, my quick morning sketches were getting too time consuming and involved, cutting into commisssion-painting time.  I love starting my mornings with a quick sketch to energize me and get the creative ball rolling.  Also, committing to a 100 days makes me work everyday, even if its just a 15 minute sketch.

The above sketch is one from this series, as well as the following...

"Biggie

10.5" x 14"

charcoal on paper

"Leashed"

10.5" x 14"

charcoal on paper

"Zoe"

10.5" x 14"

charcoal on paper

Day 4

5" x 7"

watercolor

Yesterday I experimented  some bigger paper and although I liked working bigger and on the easel,  I didn't like how abosrbant the paper was.  I was using a printmaking paper which was smooth (I don't like the watercolor paper texture of a Cold Press) and thicker, like a 140lb.  But it sucked up the watercolor so much that I had to layer and layer to build darks. Also I could move the paint around like I like.  So today I went back to my little sketckbook, and tomorrow I'll try some Hot Press watercolor paper...

Klaus the German Shepherd

"Klaus"

watercolor

8" x 10"

I just finished up another commission, and it was a great experience. The client gave me so many great photos to work from that I was able to play around quite a bit before I settled on the final pose.  By the time I started this one I had a really good feel for the subject.
Here are some of the sketches and color studies that I did...