Arabian Horse Head WIP

Process photos of my large canvas that was featured at the Dubai International Horse Fair, 2017, UAE. Portrait of KA Damascus by Kehilan Arabians (TX) and drawn with owner permission.

Painted on 14 OZ primed canvas, 2.4 x 2.5m in graphite and oil paint. Scroll down for technical info.

1. Mock up line work and dark areas with pencil and smudge sticks.

2. Mock up the extreme darks with a graphite powder paste (graphite powder + turpentine) and blend out mid tones.

3. One paste is dry, brush off excess graphite with a dry brush. I use soft squirrel hair.

4. Fix graphite with spray varnish.

5. Add highlights and light grey tones in white oil paint.

6. Let the oil cure. Brush with dry graphite powder to blend oil/graphite edges.

7. Fix with 8 layers (MINIMUM) of spray varnish.

Camel Face Rendering Process in Graphite

This drawing was produced for the Dubai International Horse Fair, 2017 (1.2 x 1.4M).

The darker details of the face were developed with green 4B Faber Castell pencils.

Using a medium paper smudge stick, I blended the pencil out into the face of the camel by following the contours of the face to stop the image looking flat. The fur was made using a zig-zag motion whilst simultaneously twisting the stick. This makes the fur texture look uneven.

Multiple types of eraser are then used to refine the details of the face. A kneadable eraser allows the texture of the fur to be reduced in smooth gradations, while I use refillable click or pencil erasers to define the smaller features of the animal. If I need to refine a space using pencil, it's usually around focal points like the eye or nose.

 

Zoe

Zoe. 2016. Acrylic and water colour on canvas. 60 x 60 cm. .