DrawWithMike.net

We photographed this beautiful sled dog in Greenland during "summer". Although freezing cold for us, these dogs find it much too hot with their thick coats and spend the summer days lazing on the rock formations which are a feature of the small town of Illulissat.
I have tried to capture one of them with Prismacolor pencils on Strathmore Toned Tan paper and would really appreciate some feed back/ critique/ suggestions as to what else I need to do.
Thanks
Jean

I do love this guy dozing in the sun. You have captured his relaxed mood very well. Nice shots of blue in the shadow fur!
You could consider adding some bright white pastel touches to add sunny highlights if you wished.
really nice work Jean.

Thanks for that Linda. Just one question that I forgot to ask. I used blue indigo in the shadow under the dog's tail, but wondered whether this was a mistake, as I thought it appeared too blue after I had done the white hair of the tail over it, but didn't know how to change it. I know I shouldn't use black in the shadow, but would there have been a better choice than indigo blue for the shadow?
Regards
Jean

Well - I like the blue. And really, if you want to use black in the shadow there is no law that says you can't. It can just be a bit overpowering used on its own. So as you have the blue there already, if you add black over the top you will get a 'cool' black and have more life than just flat black. Just be light-handed with how and how much you use. Alternatively try a dark charcoal or dark French grey with the blue.

Also, a few shots of the indigo in the rock shadow will help balance its use making the blue incorporated into the whole rather than just on the dog.

Thanks again Linda.
It's really great to get input from someone with as much experience as you, as it gives me more confidence to try different things. Happy New Year to you and everyone in the Forum and let's hope that 2021 will be better and allow us to return to all the things we want to do!

Hi Jean. I like the way you used colour but in a soft, muted way which works so well with this subject. I love the rock formation!

Thanks for your kind comments, Laurene.
All the best for 2021
Jean

Thanks for your kind comments, Laurene.
All the best for 2021
Jean

Hi Jean.
I like these dogs, and I have great empathy for their hard life, regarding what they do, and environment they live.
I remember one time ago I was watching documentary,where the Polar Bears were coming around these dogs, not, not to kill or fight, just to say hallo!, really!
Unbelievable how different species sometimes cope
Obviously your drawing is very well done, and also I like the blue colour very much!

Thanks for your feed back. I must admit I was worried that the blue was a bit much and didn't look realistic. Like you, I find it amazing seeing animals in their natural, sometimes harsh environments, so felt I just had to draw this beautiful dog.