Hello Members!
I would very much welcome any advice on this white dog, as I have struggled with the white fur.
My husband bought Mike’s book for me, ‘From line to life’ a few years ago, which is excellent and is my bible. It is so well written. As I am now retired and sometimes have more time I have at last subscribed and watched all the video’s several times, and read all the forums entries, there are some extremely talented people in the world.
I like drawing animals but wanted to have a go at drawing my friends mainly white dog as a challenge, and it has definitely has been that. He has very short totally white fur on his head, legs and body, and slightly longer on his chest. His ears as you can see are brown.
I have drawn this on Bristol extra smooth paper. The ears, eyes, nose, collar and tag was drawn with 2B, the white fur 3H and 4H. I realise I have not defined the shadows from the railings, but feel I have ‘lost the plot’ with the fur and feel stuck. I would very much appreciate any criticism and advice on how to proceed, I don’t want to give up!
White Dog !
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White Dog !
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Mike Sibley
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Re: White Dog !
As I just rediscovered... it's really difficult to correct the white balance of a white dog on white paper! 
So, forgive the butchery. I was trying to expose more of the light detail, while returning the paper to white.
Three things struck me almost immediately:
1: It's LOOKING GOOD!
2: The lighting is unnatural
3: The left-hand eye has a chunk missing - and a highlight.
1: It really IS looking good. I think the ears could be softer, and they’re too dark- but don't try to correct that. They're only "too dark" because the values you used for the tan (this is a white, black, and tan dog) are too dark for the black to be clearly visible. Also, the mouth is too narrow. Add some darker values to each side - where the top jaw would cast a shadow on the lower jaw.
2: The lighting is OK except for an extra shadow you've included - cast by something to our right. That dark edge running obliquely from the right-hand eye just looks odd. It's not a part of the dog and shouldn't be there. With that removed, decide on the direction of light - either as it is or choose your own. Then apply that to the whole head. Because your drawing is lacking a bit of three-dimensional form at present. Either side of the muzzle, I'added a little dark tone. That defines the edge of the muzzle and makes understanding more clear. So, if the light is shining from the left, work out where the parts on the right can't see the light and then tone them down. Not too much! This is a white dog, and white hair reflects light within itself. So, no really dark shadows.
3: The left-hand eye has, what I consider, to be an unfortunate growth - at about 2 o'clock. That's making the eye look smaller. But this dog has lovely bright, wide open eyers. I've removed the "growth" and then... and this really important: ADDED HIGHLIGHTS.
Your right eye does contain the original highlight from the reference, but it's too dark. It needs to be brilliant white at the point that the sun is reflecting directly into your eyes. The left-hand eye is missing a highlight and IT SHOWS. Add it and it comes alive. Consider shadows over the eyes, too - just under the brow. That extra contrast brightens the eyes and adds more three-dimensional form. There might be other places you could do that too.
That'll do for now......
So, forgive the butchery. I was trying to expose more of the light detail, while returning the paper to white.Three things struck me almost immediately:
1: It's LOOKING GOOD!
2: The lighting is unnatural
3: The left-hand eye has a chunk missing - and a highlight.
1: It really IS looking good. I think the ears could be softer, and they’re too dark- but don't try to correct that. They're only "too dark" because the values you used for the tan (this is a white, black, and tan dog) are too dark for the black to be clearly visible. Also, the mouth is too narrow. Add some darker values to each side - where the top jaw would cast a shadow on the lower jaw.
2: The lighting is OK except for an extra shadow you've included - cast by something to our right. That dark edge running obliquely from the right-hand eye just looks odd. It's not a part of the dog and shouldn't be there. With that removed, decide on the direction of light - either as it is or choose your own. Then apply that to the whole head. Because your drawing is lacking a bit of three-dimensional form at present. Either side of the muzzle, I'added a little dark tone. That defines the edge of the muzzle and makes understanding more clear. So, if the light is shining from the left, work out where the parts on the right can't see the light and then tone them down. Not too much! This is a white dog, and white hair reflects light within itself. So, no really dark shadows.
3: The left-hand eye has, what I consider, to be an unfortunate growth - at about 2 o'clock. That's making the eye look smaller. But this dog has lovely bright, wide open eyers. I've removed the "growth" and then... and this really important: ADDED HIGHLIGHTS.
Your right eye does contain the original highlight from the reference, but it's too dark. It needs to be brilliant white at the point that the sun is reflecting directly into your eyes. The left-hand eye is missing a highlight and IT SHOWS. Add it and it comes alive. Consider shadows over the eyes, too - just under the brow. That extra contrast brightens the eyes and adds more three-dimensional form. There might be other places you could do that too.
That'll do for now......
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Re: White Dog !
Hello Mike,
Many thanks for the very prompt reply.
The changes you have suggested certainly make a difference and I will apply those straight away, on the photo, the growth on the eyes is actually a patch of fur, but it does look better without so I will amend that too. I really appreciate the tips Mike, thank you
Many thanks for the very prompt reply.
The changes you have suggested certainly make a difference and I will apply those straight away, on the photo, the growth on the eyes is actually a patch of fur, but it does look better without so I will amend that too. I really appreciate the tips Mike, thank you
Re: White Dog !
I have nothing I can add to Mike’s wonderful advice, but I just wanted to chime in to say that Mike’s book has been my bible for many years too! It’s such a valuable asset to anyone interested in graphite drawing.
Your drawing shows so much life and character! I’m looking forward to seeing your updates.
Your drawing shows so much life and character! I’m looking forward to seeing your updates.
Artists for Conservation: https://www.artistsforconservation.org/artists/5148
Re: White Dog !
Hello Mike and forum members
Following the thread above I have made the alterations to my drawing as suggested by Mike (thank you Mike !) and I am pleased with the amended results, thank you Mike! i invite any suggetstions for other alterations that might be useful please.
I also thank Laurene for her very encouraging comments and must say that I have viewed your work online and think what you create is absolutely amazing !
It has been a challenge doing a white fur animal but i have also learned a great deal, i think polar bears in the arctic might be a bit too much for me though!
sincere thanks
Following the thread above I have made the alterations to my drawing as suggested by Mike (thank you Mike !) and I am pleased with the amended results, thank you Mike! i invite any suggetstions for other alterations that might be useful please.
I also thank Laurene for her very encouraging comments and must say that I have viewed your work online and think what you create is absolutely amazing !
It has been a challenge doing a white fur animal but i have also learned a great deal, i think polar bears in the arctic might be a bit too much for me though!
sincere thanks
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Mike Sibley
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Re: White Dog !
Inevitably, I felt the need to see this on white paper... 
and this is the best I can do in the time available.
I think it's much improved. That unrelated shadow across the face has gone. The eyes look bright and alive. And the muzzle has width and substance now.
This is just personal preference, but I would have only used this weird aerial photo to draw the head. It works fine without the body. But with it, the tail is sticking out of the head, and the paws out of the chest. Once you realise you're looking down on the dog, everything is OK - but, with the setting removed, that's not immediately obvious.
Conversely, to draw a Black Bear in dim light, you're looking for the highlights. It's those brighter lights that show us the bear's three-dimensional form. Just as the shadows did with the Polar Bear.
and this is the best I can do in the time available.I think it's much improved. That unrelated shadow across the face has gone. The eyes look bright and alive. And the muzzle has width and substance now.
This is just personal preference, but I would have only used this weird aerial photo to draw the head. It works fine without the body. But with it, the tail is sticking out of the head, and the paws out of the chest. Once you realise you're looking down on the dog, everything is OK - but, with the setting removed, that's not immediately obvious.
I know you mean that lightheartedly, but it's surprising how many times I hear that. But it really isn't difficult. You just have ask yourself WHY you can see the white Polar Bear in the white snow. And it quickly becomes obvious that you can see the bear because of the shadows within its coat. So, you draw the shadows. And very little detail, because white hair reflects internally, which "burns out" the light detail.I think polar bears in the arctic might be a bit too much for me though!
Conversely, to draw a Black Bear in dim light, you're looking for the highlights. It's those brighter lights that show us the bear's three-dimensional form. Just as the shadows did with the Polar Bear.
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Re: White Dog !
I love how you’ve refined the eyes, Marion. They immediately capture my attention now when I look at your drawing.
Artists for Conservation: https://www.artistsforconservation.org/artists/5148