Hi Mike
If you have time could you please critique this drawing of a squirrel which I have done, using a photo that my husband took in Yellowstone as a reference. I haven’t had much experience with graphite pencils and would especially appreciate some comments with respect to my handling of the fur and what improvements I can make.
Thank you
Squirrel drawing for critique
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Squirrel drawing for critique
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Mike Sibley
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Re: Squirrel drawing for critique
First... welcome to DWM, Jean!
I love squirrels! My neighbour (farmer David) calls them "rats with tails", but we love to see them on our bird-feeders or up and down the trees.
And Jenny and I love Yellowstone (I've held two workshops there - so far). So, you've got a lot going for you
There are just a couple of points I want to raise. Actually three, because I think a brighter highlight in the eye would draw us immediately to the focus of the drawing - the squirrel's busy head.
First, aim to improve the overall sharpness. Your lines are rather soft, so you're losing definition. And with that, you lose depth too. Visually, we understand two adjacent soft edges to belong to each other. We try to merge them. And we understand that sharp edges separate elements. They might be adjacent and touching but they are separate. So, to create depth you need sharp edges.
The other point is three-dimensional form. Apart from the rounding of the tree limb, this is missing much of the shading that creates solid form.
The tree's shading and the eye highlight tell me the light is shining from high up and just left of centre. With that in mind, it makes sense that squirrel's chest and neck will be in the shade of its head. Its stomach will be shaded by its arms (or front legs, if you're not animal-minded
). And I've added a little more along the muzzle to emphasise the stop (where the muzzle curves onto the forehead between the eyes). Adding those shadows now pushes the head up from the chest and adds emphasis to the gnawing mouth; it pushes the left-hand leg forwards; and adds roundness and solidity to the squirrel in general.
OK, I can't count... fourth:
You've left a lot of white where white doesn't belong. Tree bark doesn't contain white, and nor do squirrels. Try lightly shading over everything with a 2H. That will dull any white without affecting the contrast greatly. It's not a concept I can easily explain, but once the white is removed, everything is tied together into a single cohesive and solid whole. And, as a bonus, all intentional whites (such as the highlight in the eye) now shine more brilliantly.
Apart from that, this is a delightful, well-drawn, hairy squirrel enjoying its lunch
I love squirrels! My neighbour (farmer David) calls them "rats with tails", but we love to see them on our bird-feeders or up and down the trees.
And Jenny and I love Yellowstone (I've held two workshops there - so far). So, you've got a lot going for you
There are just a couple of points I want to raise. Actually three, because I think a brighter highlight in the eye would draw us immediately to the focus of the drawing - the squirrel's busy head.
First, aim to improve the overall sharpness. Your lines are rather soft, so you're losing definition. And with that, you lose depth too. Visually, we understand two adjacent soft edges to belong to each other. We try to merge them. And we understand that sharp edges separate elements. They might be adjacent and touching but they are separate. So, to create depth you need sharp edges.
The other point is three-dimensional form. Apart from the rounding of the tree limb, this is missing much of the shading that creates solid form.
The tree's shading and the eye highlight tell me the light is shining from high up and just left of centre. With that in mind, it makes sense that squirrel's chest and neck will be in the shade of its head. Its stomach will be shaded by its arms (or front legs, if you're not animal-minded
). And I've added a little more along the muzzle to emphasise the stop (where the muzzle curves onto the forehead between the eyes). Adding those shadows now pushes the head up from the chest and adds emphasis to the gnawing mouth; it pushes the left-hand leg forwards; and adds roundness and solidity to the squirrel in general.OK, I can't count... fourth:
You've left a lot of white where white doesn't belong. Tree bark doesn't contain white, and nor do squirrels. Try lightly shading over everything with a 2H. That will dull any white without affecting the contrast greatly. It's not a concept I can easily explain, but once the white is removed, everything is tied together into a single cohesive and solid whole. And, as a bonus, all intentional whites (such as the highlight in the eye) now shine more brilliantly.
Apart from that, this is a delightful, well-drawn, hairy squirrel enjoying its lunch
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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LindasPencils
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Re: Squirrel drawing for critique
Hi Jean,
I remember you showing me this lovely drawing earlier in the year, and I can see that you have worked on it further after our discussion. Squirrel is working well - but I think Mike's input will push the work a bit more, especially the increased shading. I see you have already increased the shading on the tree as we discussed - a little more like Mike suggests is needed I think. Try the 2H as he recommends - I know I told you a soft rounded F, but you may find the 2H better suited to your light hand.
I do think you have drawn the hair quite well on the squirrel- keep those pencils sharp! I cannot remember what type of paper you have used, was it a cold press? it looks like it has a bit of tooth from your photo, a smoother paper next time will help you with sharper lines. Anyway, keep up the good work and please show us more!
I remember you showing me this lovely drawing earlier in the year, and I can see that you have worked on it further after our discussion. Squirrel is working well - but I think Mike's input will push the work a bit more, especially the increased shading. I see you have already increased the shading on the tree as we discussed - a little more like Mike suggests is needed I think. Try the 2H as he recommends - I know I told you a soft rounded F, but you may find the 2H better suited to your light hand.
I do think you have drawn the hair quite well on the squirrel- keep those pencils sharp! I cannot remember what type of paper you have used, was it a cold press? it looks like it has a bit of tooth from your photo, a smoother paper next time will help you with sharper lines. Anyway, keep up the good work and please show us more!
Re: Squirrel drawing for critique
Thanks Linda. These comments from you and Mike are really helpful. So glad that you suggested the website! Yes, I did use Arches cold press paper, but now know to use smooth! Will try the suggestions and resubmit (though obviously a few things that I can't undo)
Cheers
Jean
Cheers
Jean
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LindasPencils
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Wed Jul 03, 2019 8:59 am
Re: Squirrel drawing for critique
It is good to see you here Jean! Please do show us what you do.
...and tell your other artist friends how great this forum is... the more artists we get posting the more imput we will all recieve. I have had great assitance over the years from Mike's groups. Its also a great way to stay in touch when travelling.
...and tell your other artist friends how great this forum is... the more artists we get posting the more imput we will all recieve. I have had great assitance over the years from Mike's groups. Its also a great way to stay in touch when travelling.