Fledgling Wood Swallow

[Boblines]

I offer this as an example of what can be done with minimal, inexpensive materials: a 2H clutch pencil, an 8B Derwent Graphic pencil and standard cartridge paper. The grain of this paper being put to use in texturing the "tree".

Picture size 40 x 47 cms.

Please comment constructively. Feedback is always welcome.

[Mike Sibley]

My first reaction - despite the grades used - was that this is lacking contrast. And that lack in turn has resulted in a partial loss of three-dimensional form. But then I decided to see what Affinity Photo would suggest your photo actually looks like. Admittedly, I manually returned the paper to white, but this was the general result:

BOB-Swallow.jpg

Now, that's looking good. Hopefully, it looks more like your original too. Please let me know.

As you mentioned, the texture of the paper has indeed helped to create the textures. It's added a "rough" appearance to the bark, and helped with the downy feathering of the young swallow.

Outside the technical aspects, this is a thoroughly good drawing. The bird has a sharply-drawn eye with a brilliant highlight that immediately attracts my eye to it. The tree wraps around the bird in a totally natural way, And the softening of the ends of the tree that point away from the bird removes their tendency to distract. The bark texture is... well, my acid test is "can I feel it under my fingertips"... and I can! Every bump and groove.

And the sharp drawing of the tree - especially the branch the bird is perched on - wonderfully contrasts with the soft down of the feathers. Both emphasise the qualities of the other.

[Boblines]

Thanks Mike. The actual drawing falls between the two images and is more inclined to your modification than my submission..

I still haven't mastered the editing process. I must spend a little more time on that before making further posts.

I am currently working on a similar drawing of an Australian Bell Miner, a small passerine which is having a very damaging affect on certain eucalypts in the eastern states by feasting on the trees' infestation of lerps.

I shall be applying ( possibly) watercolour washes. May I submit such work as a graphite pencil drawing?

Thanks again for most encouraging critique.

Bob

[Mike Sibley]

I shall be applying (possibly) watercolour washes. May I submit such work as a graphite pencil drawing?

As long as it's predominantly graphite, a colour wash is perfectly OK here. Otherwise, use the Mixed Media forum.

I'm looking forward to seeing the result. It's not an easy trick to pull off... unless you're our Linda, of course,

[Laurene]

I certainly can’t add anything to Mike’s comments except to say that I agree with everything. I’m fascinated by your use oh 2H and 8B. Do you use a tissue or tortillon to blend the 8B?

[Boblines]

Hello Laurene. I use both tissue and tortillon with my drawings. I control(or try to!!) the 8B tone by pressure only. In the lighter areas the pencil is allowed to just rest on the surface as it is drawn across the paper thus leaving a minimum of graphite on top of the grain. NO pressure is applied - just the weight of the pencil itself. This way I can control subsequent blending. I use only a refurbished, clean tortillon to avoid transferring "old" graphite residue. Tissue is only used to blend the underlying 2H layer. I am posting another drawing later today of an Australian Bell Miner. On the leaves of this drawing it is possible to see very small spots of 8B residue which help texture the leaves particularly the one on the bird's right. I hope this is helpful.

[Laurene]

Thanks Bob. Yes, that’s very helpful. It’s interesting to see how different artists work.