How to Draw Dogs Course

[Happychappy]

    Fantastic drawing Liz, you did an awesome job but then with Nolan's expert tuition and patience, who wouldn't be able to draw well?  I am so pleased to read that you too, couldn't wait to watch the rest of the lessons but wanted to get going on what you had learned in just the beginning segments of the course.  What is it about this course that is so impelling for us to implement immediately what we have just seen instead of waiting to view the whole course?   Anyway, as I said in another post, I just LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it and can't wait for next week's segment to open.  I enjoyed everything about Nolan's course which I guess was suited exactly to my needs.  I actually want to go back and draw the reference photo now.  Looking forward to seeing everyone else's drawings too.  Patricia

[liz]

Here's  a couple more suggestions:
When you sharpen or chisel your pencils, SAVE your graphite shavings.  I found a tiny strainer that could sift out the fine shavings, made a 'funnel',  and saved what I could in a little bottle cap.  That will save you a little time scraping. I don't know what Nolan would say about this,  but it was easier choosing pencils to use by using light, medium, and dark pencils and varying the pressure as needed than to choose from 6 pencils, at least in the beginning of learning how to draw, for me at least.

[nolan]

Here's  a couple more suggestions:
When you sharpen or chisel your pencils, SAVE your graphite shavings.  I found a tiny strainer that could sift out the fine shavings, made a 'funnel',  and saved what I could in a little bottle cap.  That will save you a little time scraping.

Great idea

I don't know what Nolan would say about this,  but it was easier choosing pencils to use by using light, medium, and dark pencils and varying the pressure as needed than to choose from 6 pencils, at least in the beginning of learning how to draw, for me at least.

That could work just fine Liz - you will see I generally use 3 or four pencil most of the time anyway. I buy my pencils in sets which usually contain 6 or so, that is why I lay them out. I would suggest the 2H, HB and say 2B for the 3 pencils and then a 6B or 9B which you use right at the end for the few darkest darks

[nolan]

thank you Patricia. I am ecstatic that you are enjoying the course - makes all the hard work worth while

[Happychappy]

And Nolan .... your hard work is much appreciated and valued by us all, as is your Dad's.  You two are a fantastic team, your leadership qualities are outstanding and we are the happy and grateful recipients of your talents which you share and impart so freely.  Thanks once again for everything you continue to do for us and we look forward to a great year ahead.  Patricia

[liz]

  Thanks, Nolan for suggesting which pencils to use.  I found pencils from art supplies left at my home from Emily and the other grandkids; those were the ones I 'chiseled'.  Lucky for me, my daughter recently gave me a whole set of drawing pencils which makes my second set!    I'm off to watch how to do EYES!

[liz]

Patricia, if you run out of dog pictures I have dogs you can 'borrow'.   
~Liz

[lynn p.]

Boy Patricia, That drawing really sells the course for sure! Amazing soft texture in the fur and such expressive eyes.  It seems you've had an aha! moment with your drawing but we all knew you were megatalented!!!!

[lynn p.]

Liz, He is so appealing and cute!!!

[Happychappy]

This is my drawing from the reference photograph which I missed initially.  I am off in a lot of areas but with practice I will get better.  Your comments and critiques are always happily received. Thank you, Patricia
 
 

Details

[Happychappy]

   Thank you Liz for the offer of dog models but I am not short of those for my eldest daughter has a house with two dogs, normally three but one died of old age and the other is also on his last legs being older than her children and then there is this over two hundred pounds Boerboel (South African breed) who is like a lion, waiting to be sketched but thanks for the offer which I will keep in mind. 
 
   Lynn for your beautiful comments about my first drawing and the great comment that you knew I was "megatalented". Oh! Boy, if only I was!!!  I get my inspiration from our wonderful tutors and all you fantastic artists whom I aspire to try and be, even remotely as good.  Gosh! I just feel so very blessed to have all of you in my life and I cannot express my happiness and gratitude for all the help, encouragement, advice, suggestions which you give me.  How fortunate am I!!!  God bless you all. 
 
Patricia

[Ray3]

Patricia WOW you have blown me away with your drawing very well executed    well done.  Ray

[Happychappy]

Oh! Ray,    so much for your very sweet comments which I appreciate immensely.  I have a very long way to go because I started so late in life but I am enjoying every minute of it.  Patricia

[Tousabella]

Well done, Pat.  Looks great.  You will be ahead of us on the next lessons!!  These really look like fun and I'm so enjoying the course.
Good for you!!   

[liz]

PATRICIA, I can really relate to your immense joy of finding a wonderful pasttime and activity "so late in life" and "enjoying every minute of it".  I think discovering ART AND PAINT BASKET is the BEST THING for the many retired folks like us!  ART keeps me out of my husband's hair so he can pursue some of his own interests after retiring as a meteorologist for 42 years.  He supports my art and is my constant critic, which bugs me sometimes, but he pays for all of my art supplies so I can't complain.

The best thing for me though is that PAINT BASKET is a place where I've found FRIENDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD who share a common interest with me.  There are fOLKS on the forum at all hours of the day which is pretty awesome and Nolan and Dennis are always nearby to oversee all of our activities.  Sometimes I stay away from my art, but when I return I can go back to the forum and find friends who are like FAMILY still there ready to 'connect' again!   
-Liz