A new file is opened in Adobe Photoshop, although any graphics program that supports layers will do, such as Paint Shop Pro or GIMP. The rough line drawing of each element is scanned into Adobe and the resulting files left open so each can be dragged and dropped into the new composition file when required. Each element, as it is dropped, is automatically allotted its own layer. The use of layers will be described in detail in part 2 - for the moment just accept that this allows each to be moved, resized or switched on or off independently of the other elements.

Initially I tried standing the gull on the boat but I couldn't achieve this correctly at the dog's eye level. So I decided to use the stump, which required a cross-member. You could quickly sketch and scan in a new stump but, for speed, I simply copied the stump to a new layer, where it was flipped horizontally, turned through 90° and moved into position...









Print out your chosen composition then transfer it to your final drawing surface. You can square it up and use the grid method or use any other means you like. Personally, I put it in the back of my Artograph DB300 (pictured) to project it down onto my drawing paper and use a 6B pencil to lightly mark the position of each element. Then, one by one, I project the original drawing of each element into place, erase the 6B placement marks and transfer the line drawing accurately with a sharp, lightly held 2B lead.

Now the real work starts - the drawing - the fun bit, the part that defeats all those who think using mechanical aids produces "drawing by numbers". In my case the final result took 27½ hours to complete and all the effort has been worthwhile.