We Three Kings - Part I - Tiger
Yes, I know this post is out of order:) better late than never, right?
This is the first in my big cat triptych, “We Three Kings”, and my first experiment with using colour pencils on drafting film. I started with a much more detailed sketch than I normally do because I my focus was on learning how to use this support (it handles very differently to any other support that I have tried).
I did find that not all drafting films are created equal:( Although the type I used for this tiger was excellent for the pigment saturation and luminosity it allowed, unlike other types of drafting film, although it erased easily, I could not get much pigment back into the erased areas….making erasing mistakes impossible!
Considering this was an experiment, I am very pleased with how he turned out. Oh and if you are wondering about the title - I didn’t actually start out planning to do a Big Cat triptych, but the night I finished this one I was laying in bed when the title popped into my head (actually, titles for my artwork rarely pop gently into my head, they usually hit me like a sledgehammer;). I knew instantly that the next one in the series would be the lion, but I am still not sure who will be the third king cat. Watch this space to find out!
Work In Progress shot 1:
Work In Progress shot 2:
Work In Progress shot 3:
Final: “We Three Kings part I: Tiger”
I’d love to know what you think of him!
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August 3rd, 2007 at 10:48 pm
I am so happy you finally did a cat! I watch your blog every day for updates and this is by far my favorite!
August 4th, 2007 at 12:39 am
He is so approachable that you make me yearn to embrace him. I love cats … all kinds. Seems that getting the fur right is always a challenge. So I am sure you have a sense of fulfillment whenever you have completed a piece. You present quality portraits and you have captured the innate vulnerability of this magnificient tiger. It’s as if he knows he is something special but hasn’t quite realized it yet. Wonderful!
Please E-mail me about a project that I believe you would be perfect for. Thank you. “Sleeping Kitten - Dancing Dog!”
August 4th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Considering this was something new you were delving into, I think you did a wonderful job. The only critique I might have is that I think if the shadows/darker parts of the artwork were, well, darker, the piece would be generally stronger and stand out more.
Other than that, it looks perfect. Great structure!
August 6th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Thanks everyone! Sandi, I have finally done another cat (Blink) and actually have two more on the drawing board. If remember to stop and take photos as i go, I will post them as WIP’s as well.
Leila, I agree about the darks and normally I would push the shadows a lot more because I like strong art with high contrast for impact. Unfortunately I ran out of tooth on the drafting film and it would not take any more pigment, but I am contemplating having a go at the back of the film to see if that will help darken the shadows.