This is a cute grey dog, whose breed I'll have to post later cuz I forgot. It is a custom portrait for a gift - I can't wait for the owner to see it! ![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyddSdObuF7TshmcHyJ_zpvDhrJZzv0TkJ7HjVDMIDzCdTZpl8yxTrIXCOjP4Hy-xJrQ22a-62QQ1SK9bpcrZvYDeSMmoWu6qSC3JN6BszLkXKg2VG9W2VtafqO3Zml-Uq4ivlDhPcHcE/s320/cheriedog1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyddSdObuF7TshmcHyJ_zpvDhrJZzv0TkJ7HjVDMIDzCdTZpl8yxTrIXCOjP4Hy-xJrQ22a-62QQ1SK9bpcrZvYDeSMmoWu6qSC3JN6BszLkXKg2VG9W2VtafqO3Zml-Uq4ivlDhPcHcE/s320/cheriedog1.jpg)
I started on medium grey matt board. The first few minutes is just getting the gesture of the body correct. Making sure I have enough negative space around the dog to allow for framing. (the pictures are cropped...a
ctual page is larger)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-Xa_Suevy3lot6YkpdEMhVQbQWN7166yTdagU4qOhGOSdDnFvZzaLQUflkExyRY9ELlE9Rk9dRGBlTkwfPA5EfqxAvIDcveK_NnAaY8TLynLYMeTSkHetqLjvZYB-2aksDI-sZUgQe8n/s320/cheriedog2.jpg)
Then I slowly block in areas of shadow. This is done with vine charcoal which is very easy to manipulate and erase if necessary.
I follow that by further defining the major shadows and shapes, being sure to work on the whole dog as to keep proportions acurate.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuOUFzgEVpLHyOUZX1RIq5aS06xb06Wna3Z7OUkqiWiP_1QUV3LRIyK0RRN2Sn0msPmI9eZfG_kyPkOw5wiPacPXCv_6Rkeg66ez3XAbRlweqYS-Wt0orHeKzFD9nUeU2ABoZ5Rwjh4C7/s320/cheriedog4.jpg)
I slowly add the highlight, again thinking of the whole dog. I want to develop the whole portrait at once - not get caught up in just the eyes or the paws, which can be very easy to do.
So that is where I am now...I will keep you posted on my progress! And here's a shot of where I was working. At the kitchen table. Even though I have a studio in the basement. But it was hot down there! And there's AC up here! Cut me some slack!![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Md2WwRF0st48t5lwM40glRUjqoBvuyBjF-UcUlgN14cXA7Pk_60DkNKn4GHanNMI23tvJZALx5Ee8dKzh_11UQeTFY-myX_enjiacxzi6l3CAxla2zPQjutp5_yoeI22PCrHXn6glIWV/s320/drawing+in+kitchen.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Md2WwRF0st48t5lwM40glRUjqoBvuyBjF-UcUlgN14cXA7Pk_60DkNKn4GHanNMI23tvJZALx5Ee8dKzh_11UQeTFY-myX_enjiacxzi6l3CAxla2zPQjutp5_yoeI22PCrHXn6glIWV/s320/drawing+in+kitchen.jpg)