- Squid Update #5
- 27 December 05
- How to
- 7 Comments
Not quite an early start on this today, a bit tardy in fact....well drinks last night took their toll (hey it is the festive season after all).
Well dear reader, as flagged in the last post, I started by doing some more highlighting on the tentacles - especially the outer edge of the thick tentacle, i.e. making it darker, and bring out more of the white markings by darkening the edges around them.
The next step was to begin on the hood, but before that I spent a hell of a lot of time thinking about the placement of the fins(?) on the hood. The correct placement will be crucial to the overall form of the squid (I even thought about this the previous night).
Having decied where the fins are going it's time to block in the hood around the fin. The top part of the hood will be darker than the bottom, consistent with the direction of the light. The technique here is 4B and 8B shading layed down, then blended with a torchon (paper stump) and then rubbed with a rag. Splotching was added for effect, and a shadow line/patch (8B mainly) was also added that will provide definition to the fin. From here it is time to commence the lower half of the hood, using mainly 4B. This photo shows the completed top half, and lower half with the first layer down (no torchon, rubbing, or additional layering).
After doing all that layering, I now pull back some of the shading by using a kneadable eraser - the reason is to give form and curvature to the hood. I use a small rolled ball of the eraser and lift off the graphite, it gives a stippling effect which is also useful to getting random clues as to where to splotch the skin (the texture of the paper also provides clues of where natural splotch marks might be located). I use 4B and 8B for the splotches - if they are too dark, I lift some graphite off with the eraser, sometimes I use the torchon to blend the splotches into the skin. These two photos show the process and results.
Taking an overview now of how this is progressing as a cohesive whole and it's not too bad. The way that I have chunked this down, does mean that at the moment Charlie now looks like some form of prehistoric bird as opposed to the mutated elephant of the previous post. I am not an elephant! I am not a dreadlocked pterodactyl! I am a squid! screeches Charlie this time. It is quite interesting how bits and pieces of nature (especially the form and shape) can easily be interchanged with other bits of nature (I was going to make some smart-arsed [assed for the American reader] comment about the fairytale that is intelligent design, but it's not worth it).
I mentioned earlier the importance of placing the fins. I have positioned them so that they give grace to the sweep of the squid as well as trying to give a feeling of movement to Charlie. I think the combination of the slowly unfurling tentacles and the elegant flapping of the fins will make this drawing. I've just started the fin by doing some broad shading with a rag, and then gradually layering in this case with a 4B and 2B to provide some curvature. As a reminder, the rationale for the shadow line on the upperside of the hood should now also become apparent.
Yesterday I was just OK with this drawing, I'm now getting to the pleased ++ level....a promising sign. There is a nice fluid feel to this now, and more of a 3D motion effect - exactly as it should be given the subject matter. Note to self maybe drawing after a few drinks isn't too bad.
comments
Charlie is coming along famously! I love his spotty looking fins. I confess I don’t know anything about squid anatomy so you could fool me easily by drawing something jabberwocky in there that didn’t belong, but it all looks very convincing and lifelike from my point of view.
Posted by Karen Winters on 27.12.05 at 04.47pm
Seduced by your own brilliance—I know the feeling well.
Elegant is a good word for this guy.
Posted by andrea on 28.12.05 at 01.37am
The process is fascinating and the drawing looks amazing! I wonder how you plan to do the background - it looks great at the moment against the white background.
Posted by Felicity on 28.12.05 at 02.25am
Andrea: I’m not quite at the Narcissistic state yet (I hope).
Felicity: There’ll be no background, just all squid on white. A background would detract from the squid.
Posted by Detlef on 28.12.05 at 06.44am
Charlie was looking worried about the beginnings of the ‘hood’. Think he is pleased as punch now!
Posted by Anonymous on 28.12.05 at 09.04am
Oh wow—he’s looking great! I love reading about your process.
Posted by Linda on 28.12.05 at 10.18pm
Very nice Mr Detlefjumpertz! I can’t wait to see your self-portrait… YEP. And Happy New Year!
Posted by Merlinprincesse on 29.12.05 at 04.39am