Interested in finding out more about graphite art and my passion for pencils?

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Look forward to welcoming you there.

Sheona

Here is for your viewing "Above the Bit" my lastest equine study.

"Above the Bit"

23x22 cm. Graphite on paper

300 Euros ( 390$)

 The six mains steps in the creation of this study can be viewed on my studio blog "Black on Grey onWhite" 

Anton and I spent a week together. The weather was shabby so the studio sessions even more welcome and appealing.  here is the result of spending a week of quality time together.

Anton is a very noble and gentle Rhodesian Ridgeback who absolutely loves to pose and be himself. This portrait will be joining the live Anton under the Christmas tree.

Technical details: Hahnemuehler Paper and 2B & 3 B clutch pencil.

The whole "making of" Anton can be viewed on my studio Blog Black on Grey on White.

Have a great week end.

Here is the finished version of my highland show pony.

A great drawing to produce...I loved using the soluble graphite: never thought I would be able to produce work with a paint brush...!

The trick to this technique seems to be nothing more than layering. Dry "normal" graphite was used as a base layer, I then added a layer of the soluble graphite which I worked with a "barely" wet brush. This layering was repeated until the finished effect achieved.

Pencil used: Prismacolor water soluble graphite (dark) on Strathmore 400 series Bristol Board Vellum 2-ply.

"Welcome Impact"

Graphite on paper, 21x27 cm

P.S: Hope you like the title. Symbolises both how I feel about discovering this medium and hopefully how the viewer will react when seeing this lovely pony showing off...!

Curious to see the various stages of this piece? Steps and explanation can be viewed at my studio blog Black on Grey on White

The fifth Canine Art Guild online exhibition is now live...!

"Helping Paws 2008" is now online!

A wide and varied display of dog art can be viewed (and the best: all is for sale! Definately worth a visit!). Each and every artist entered has pledge to donate proceeds of their sales to a shelter or charity of their choice. Well worth a visit.

Here is one of my three entries "Close to Home"

"Close to home"

Mixed media (graphite/charcoal) on paper, 20x20 cm

200 Euros (20% donated to DCGR)

This is the best place for any dog: out in the open, on a long lead, beside its loved ones (not only one pair of legs but two!) discovering new sights and sounds. This black lab is well surrounded and at peace with its life. Through my art I would like to heighten the awareness of how these gorgeous, quiet and loyal canines are in dire need of a warm safe bed of a good home. The Dumfriesshire & Cumbria is a Scottish charity focused on re-homing retired or abandoned Greyhounds. As a charity they not only use what they raise for kennel fees, vet fees, fostering expenses and advertising but also try to raise public awareness of the plight of dogs at the end of their racing/coursing careers. To date 500 ex racers and coursers have found new homes.

After week "away", I brought him out for a tweak and he has now gone back to safety with a new improved pair of ears ( I do believe looking much happier for it!).

He's has also been priced and entered into the show: Helping Paws 2008.

"Robert"

Graphite on Paper, 26x23 cm

$ 350 (20% donated to DCGR)

As always million thanks for looking. Feel free to have a peak at my studio blog anytime. Cheerio

Here is Past to Present.

There will always be a gap between generations. This is normal and healthy.

Past & present shows how much trust, respect, confidence, understanding and strength can be achieved by bridging generations.

I loved drawing this piece.

Many reasons spring to mind (new territory, new subject, new challenge, new approach...)

However, the main reason has to be (symbolism aside) rendering three totally different textures: hair, cotton and skin.

I used a 2B, 5B (for the dark jeans) and F (for skin). The T-shirt I will admit was rendered by blending 2B which I then layered with F to get the smoothed crushed feeling. The paper used was Mellotex a very thick smooth white paper.

I'm glad I found the TLC this piece needed last week.

Now: it's back to gorgeous 4 legged subjects.

Cheers for now

As always please feel free to check out my blog Black on Grey on White at sheonas.blogspot.com

It has been a quite while since I last posted about what was actually on my drawing board...I seem to have taken to talking about what's going on around it more than showing you the actual creating.

I really have been busy drawing as well as typing.

A new commission has started. It is a portrait of 2 Riesenschnausers (Giant Schnauzers.) Jack and Libby.

Both are dark and have beautiful expressive eyes hidden under their long haired fringes.

I researched a little to find more about the particularities of the breed - this helps me really pin-point elements which are crucial and typical to a specific breed.

Here is the first stage of the portrait: it is an initial layout and the beginning of detailed work on the eyes. This is Libby.

I am using 6B and 3B Staedler clutch for the hair and 2B and 2H Derwent pencils for the eye. This portrait is being drawn on Steinbach paper (250gr. 73 x 110cm).

I have penciled in the second dog Jack and will start on his eyes in the next session...

The eyes are the most important part of the portrait. It is when, and only when, I feel they are the way they should be (expressive and believable) that I feel I can get on with the rest of the study.

At this stage I am about 4 hours into the portrait.

I will keep posting as the portrait comes along.

More of WIPs and thoughts can be found over at my studio blog Black on Grey on White