MATERIALS
• Strathmore 11″x 14″ Toned Gray Paper, 118gsm
• B Graphite Pencil
• Kneadable Eraser
• Metal Pencil Sharpener
• Ruler
• Prismacolor Colourless Blender
• Winsor & Newton White Ink (alternatively you can use a white gel pen)
• Fine Paintbrush (10/0)
• Spray Fixative
• Prismacolor Premier Pencils (Fur): – Ginger Root – Sandbar Brown – Sienna Brown – Dark Brown – 90% French Grey – 90% Cool Grey – 50% Cool Grey – 30% Cool Grey – Black
• Prismacolor Premier Pencils (Nose): – Peach Beige – Argile Rose – Sheashell Pink – Peach – Sienna Brown – Sepia -50% French Grey – White
• Prismacolor Premier Pencils (Eyes): – Jade Green – Celadon Green – Apple Green – Eggshell – Sand – Yellow Ocre – Pale Sage – Sienna Brown – 90% Cool Grey – White -Black
• Prismacolor Premier Pencils (Ears): – Seashell Pink – Peach – Argile Rose – White
STEP ONE
Start with your reference image. For accuracy and for a perfectly proportioned drawing you can use the grid method. I overlay a grid onto my image in Photoshop and then using a ruler and a B pencil, draw up a grid with the same dimensions on my blank paper. Keep the pressure as light as possible so the lines can easily be erased later, and so as not to leave an indentation in the paper.
STEP TWO
Using the B pencil draw in the main outlines, paying close attention to your reference image. I also mark in any areas where the fur changes colour and main markings so I know where to work later. This is the framework that your drawing will build on so it’s important to get these just right.
STEP THREE
With the kneadable eraser, gently erase the pencil grid lines. Then using a colour that will blend in with the fur (I used Sandbar Brown) lightly draw over your line work, using the kneadable eraser to rub out the pencil lines as you go.Now you are left with only the outline and main markings in coloured pencil, with all graphite pencil marks erased.
STEP FOUR
Start drawing in the lighter and mid-tone colours in the fur using light pressure. Draw your lines in the direction of the fur growth, leaving the areas of white fur. Make sure to keep checking your reference photo. Your aim at this stage is to start building up layers of colour to get the main tones and shading correct. Take note of the length of the fur, using shorter or longer pencil strokes depending on the fur length.
STEP FIVE
Once you are happy with the layers of colour, use the colourless blending pencil to draw over (burnish) the pencil strokes of the fur. Burnishing will saturate the colours, creating a seamless blend of your pencil layers and filling the paper surface with colour to give depth and a smooth finish.
Draw lightly at first just in case you need to add more colour in – as once the pencils are fully burnished the smooth waxy finish this creates can make it harder to add more colours on top.
STEP SIX
Start adding in the fine details. Using a sharp pencil, draw in the darker areas of detail in the fur, eyes, nose and mouth with 90% Cool Grey and Black.
STEP SEVEN
Draw in the pinks of the nose and ears. I layered the colours lightly, blending with the white pencil until I was happy with the colour tones, There is a highlight across the top and down the middle of her nose, and shadows underneath. These small details will help to give it form rather than being just a flat colour.
STEP EIGHT
Colour the eyes. Blend the yellows and greens in the iris, again layering colour until you achieve the correct tones. There are areas of reddish-brown in her eyes (I used Sienna Brown) and dark greys across the top of the iris where the shadow falls. Leave the catch light in the eyes, these will be done last when all of the highlights are added.
STEP NINE
Review and add any final details or areas of stronger contrast/shadows where needed. I added more saturated colour to the eyes and black areas into the fur.
STEP TEN AND FINAL STEP
Using a sharp white pencil, draw in the whiskers, the hairs in the ears and the areas of white fur. I have found with Prismacolor pencils that the best way to add the highlights that I want to really stand out is to use white ink. Using a very fine paintbrush, paint in the catch light in the eyes and white areas of fur around the face and ears. Once complete, apply a spray fixative to seal the drawing surface.
ARTIST’S HINTS AND TIPS
• My coloured pencil drawing technique involves layering and blending several colours to achieve the desired colour tones and values. Start with light pressure and layer the colours from light to dark, gradually building up the layers before blending.
• Make sure to keep referring to the reference image throughout the drawing process to ensure accuracy.
• Take a break from the artwork, either for a few hours or a few days. Looking at the drawing with fresh eyes can help you see any adjustments that may need to be made. Taking a photo or holding the drawing up into a mirror also helps to give a new perspective.
• Draw what you see – even if it’s not what you think it should be. Sometimes the translation of colours, light and shadows can be surprising until you see it come together, so stick with it.
• Prismacolor pencils are waxbased, so if you use a lot of layers of pencil in your drawing, the wax build up can sometimes create a white ‘foggy’ effect in some areas called wax bloom. Gently rubbing over the surface of your finished artwork with a clean soft cloth will lift off the excess wax, and using a spray fixative to seal the surface will stop this from re-occurring.
• Use a good quality reference photo.A high-resolution image that clearly shows detail is very important. I prefer to take my own photographs where possible to ensure the lighting and image clarity is just right. The higher the detail in the reference image, the more detail you can incorporate into the drawing.
• Be patient – and practice
