- Squid Update #3
- 20 November 05
- How to
- 8 Comments
A number of readers have requested some larger photos - so that they can see more detail. You request, so I deliver. The following photo provides that detail and is a nice recap to where we were at last time around, namely a completed squid face. In real life Charlie's face is about the size of an outspread hand.
It is now time to begin work on the arc-like shape of the tentacles. I will begin where the tentacles connect with the face and work my way down, doing a tentacle at a time. Additionally, this will make all the accompanying detailed pencil work manageable - turning it into bite size chunks that I can digest in a series of drawing sessions (this is quite critical, if I think about the whole image I get de-motivated because of the scale I draw at - so why don't you draw smaller I hear you say! Good question, must ponder that further).
Tentacles
Again, it's a case of layering graphite in the appropriate area and building up the squid's skin. Given the direction of the light, dark and heavy colouring on top, then gradually becoming lighter as we move down. I'm putting in some lighter areas, to provide some curvature to this tentacle. Also, some crease marks have been added to provide greater definition. The dreaded splotching is also required, so I have to draw and scribble little dots on the skin (hey, I haven't got anything better to do, so why not).
The photo below depicts what I'm talking about. You can see the splotching, crease marks and curvature. You can also see the effect that an impregnated rag gives in the lower part of this photo - this is the first step rubbing, before actual laying down of graphite, and then repeat the process, until the desired gradation has been achieved. At the moment, this looks more like an elephant (man) than a squid!
I don't want the overall picture being too dark, ending up in a muddy lumpenmass of a squid, so from this point on I will lighten up the tentacles as I progress down them as the next photo shows.
Not surprisingly the tentacles have a bit of fiddly work associated with them. Still all of that is necessary to get the effect that I'm after. I have however decided to only do limited work on the suckers on this set of tentacles, it will give the impression without the painstaking work. To get the wavy furl and edge of the tentacles I thought I'd do something that resembled a twisted phone cord - easy peasy. For one of the other tentacles I wanted a little bit more definition for the suckers so I drew these a series of circular depressions - see photo below. As I drew this I thought this wasn't as tough I thought. I don't know why I've been putting of it off for so long - well I do, the period mid-October to mid-November is our major horse racing season in Australia and that always has priority. That said I want this finished by Christmas, a tough ask seeing I'll be in Tokyo for a week - departing next week - over that time period, still Charlie the Squid you will be complete within a month!
Cephalopod Club update: It is very pleasing that Pink Fifi (aka **** ****) of the Mysterious Poodle Circus has drawn an octopus especially for my benefit (I do appreciate the thought and effort - dig the tattoo on the tentacle). Jeff Heermann also produced a nifty and menacing 'pus some time back. <<Older Main Newer>>
comments
Heehee!!! LOVE SUCKERS };-} Can’t wait for another month when Charlie is revealed as a whole!
Posted by Anonymous on 20.11.05 at 08.07pm
Charlie is coming along beautifully! Can’t wait to see the final piece!
Posted by Linda on 20.11.05 at 10.21pm
Detlef, this is vivid beyond anything I’ve seen in a long time. How patient you are! I look forward to seeing the whole enchilada, er, octopus.
Posted by Laura on 21.11.05 at 08.39am
It is I who is most pleased to be included, Mr. Jumpertz. You are indeed a man of your word.
I am anticipating the birth of Charlie - so to speak.
Posted by Pink Fifi on 22.11.05 at 03.32am
Gosh - this is quite the masterclass! I can’t see how you could get all that gorgeous detail into a smaller drawing - bravo!
Thanks for letting us watch…
E
Posted by Elaine on 24.11.05 at 06.00am
“...give the impression without the painstaking work.” HA! From the master of avoiding painstaking work to the master of painstaking work….HA!
Wonderful stuff, Detlef, and am also enjoying the “blow by blow”.
Posted by Rufus on 24.11.05 at 11.56pm
Your work is simply breathtaking. Pure craftsmanship. Thanks for sharing with us.
Posted by Christine Lim-Simpson on 25.11.05 at 03.30am
And who exactly is the obsessed one here? I just love that eye.
Posted by janey on 27.11.05 at 09.14pm