FARM INSPIRATION

Experimenting & working loose is all fine & well. But once in  awhile, this subject from the farm calls for an old fashion tight rendering. With this little .5 mechanical pencil, the lines follow the direction of the way the hair is growing.

I painted a loose wash, to tone the paper...mainly because I want the contrast between the free flowing wash against the detail drawing.

From Farm to Sketchbook, after G. Seurat

 You can see why I want to try a sketch of the horse at La Basse Cour, with conte crayon. The inspirational process is reverse for this drawing.

Horse by G. Seurat

Came upon Georges Seurat drawings at MOMA, way back in 2007. His technique has influence my drawing ever since. Painterly drawings with subtle shadings of tones, indicating at the same time form, light & space; thru the use of conte crayon over texture paper.

These handmade watercolor paper has been sitting in my closet for 20 years. The texture is all wrong for my watercolor style. But the weave of the paper is just right for this conte drawing!

Farm Drawings

Worked on a series of farm drawings this Spring. It was an exercise to try out different drawing techniques. The drawings could gather dust in my closet or I can take the trouble to frame & show them. I love it when I can connect the dots. La Basse  Cour is a lovely farm store that features local artisans & farm goods.

How to Draw a Cow with B&W Conte

Many ways to draw farm animals. I learn this technique from the old masters. 

I lay down the shape of the animal on tinted paper. As you can see, black & white conte is well suited for indicating light & shadow of the forms of the cow.