Evolution ....

Soft Sketches and Hard Lines

When I begin a project I like to sketch in pencil on rough drawing paper. I love the feel.

But, more than that, I like the freedom that it allows me. As a digital artist I appreciate the ability to change things quicker in the computer than I would be able to in paint or ink. But the sheer joy of being able to use the flat side of a pencil and feel and "hear" the skritchy sound it makes on the paper is something I love .I also have the room to spread the drawing out without the confines of a Cintiq, Wacom or computer screen. Using the whole arm helps me to define movement in characters. Some sketches with multiple characters can be up to 20 + inches wide.

Once I have the basic shapes and the movement satisfies the text I usually photograph with a digital camera and transfer to the computer. That is where I can tighten up the shapes and create the finished line drawings. With the ability to resize elements and move them around and layer them in any order, I have found the best working style for me personally.

At times I will go further with my hard lines, but most of the time I stop when I have something that is semi detailed and finish those details as I paint. Painting can change the initial drawing in subtle ways that bring the finished illustration closer to the image in my mind.

I usually choose to photograph my sketches rather than scan. Most of the time the sketches are really too big for my scanner and the photo allows me to get the whole of a picture in one shot.

It is not uncommon for me to pick up a pencil and sketch "something" every time I pass my drawing table with an idea that needs a visible presence.

I would be interested in knowing what brings you to the drawing table or computer or how you bring that wonderful idea from thought to sketch to finish. I am sure others would as well.

Recycle...

Something pushes me to recycle old sketches from time to time and these are two that were painted a bit differently a while ago. I think there is always room for improvement... and these may be redone again at a later date.©Ginger Nielson

Making Progress

Here are a few of the ten or more steps I have been taking to finish work on an owl painting. The last image in the series is close but not quite at the finishing stage. There were many painted versions before the last image evolved. There will be more definition in the final painting and the dark lines will most likely be painted over or blended away.

©GingerNielson2007

And here's a bit of trivia. Did you know that the Sooty Owl has four talons and that he /she can use them with two in front and two in back or spread them all out separately to grab at its prey with each one spread north, south, east and west... just like a nifty set of ice tongs.