DrawWithMike.net

This is my second completed drawing – the first one was a draw along tutorial so this is my first attempt at going it alone! Please feel free to comment. My own thoughts are that I struggled with the white fur. I’d also anticipated applying a light grey shading to the background as in the reference photo but changed my mind at the end so the indenting that I did for the whiskers is still noticeable and doesn’t look great. My tapered stroke also needs some work. Considering I was never that great at art at school and haven’t drawn since, I didn’t think it was too bad.

It's a masterpiece to me.
Great attention to detail, understanding of shading, realistic looking picture, what else can I say?!
Very impressing drawing to me.
Congrats!

…thank you so much. It means a lot to have such positive comments. I’m hugely self critical so therefore never happy with what I do

Jo_Long wrote: Wed Jul 20, 2022 8:42 am I’m hugely self critical so therefore never happy with what I do

All I'm seeing on my work - it's nothing but faults, lol!
It's very rare if I like my own piece of drawing

Wonderful drawing, love the detail in his eye.

Jo_Long wrote: Wed Jul 20, 2022 8:42 am Considering I was never that great at art at school and haven’t drawn since, I didn’t think it was too bad.

Considering this is far from being an easy subject, I think you did remarkably well!

I’m hugely self-critical, so therefore never happy with what I do

Neither am I. Ever. Sometimes - six months down the road - I might see it as others see it and think, "Well, apart from that bit, I'm quite pleased with it.", but that’s as far as it goes.

However, you were so close to really pulling this off. That's not a criticism, but the reverse. You have a clear understanding of every part you are drawing. In a couple of places, I think you drew what you saw, rather than understood, but on the whole, it's a polished drawing.

Just keep drawing. Seriously - keep drawing, and the little things that make a big difference to the result will creep up on you unseen. For example - and this is not referring to this drawing - you are becoming detail-orientated, which is good if you're aiming at realism. Eventually, you'll reach a point where your detail is outstanding. Then you'll realise that it's now over-detailed, and learn how to back off in selected places. BUT you first have to go through what I call the "Detail is King" stage. It's unavoidable.

That's for later. Right now, you've nailed the character; you're thinking the right way; and you're beginning to tell a story rather than illustrate. All will come right in good time

you're beginning to tell a story rather than illustrate.

That’s high praise coming from Mike!! That’s the goal we all aim for! This is quite incredible for your second piece. As Mike said, just keep going and you can’t go wrong.

….I did read Mike’s post with my hands over my eyes peeking through my fingers just in case! Everyone has been so helpful and positive.

Jo_Long wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 10:41 am ….I did read Mike’s post with my hands over my eyes peeking through my fingers just in case!

We’ve all been there when we post for the first time! Don’t worry your rendering skills are really good! With Mike’s guidance you’ll enjoy drawing as you improve. Just be open minded and try to take in all of Mike’s observations and critiques.

Wonderful work - Mike and Laurene and Pogs and Rideum have said it all - nothing to add except to say how much I enjoy this work. Well done.