"Molly..." series Complete

"Molly in the Pool"


This was another one of those that I wasn't too sure how it would turn out. I'm still not sure that I'm completely 100% happy with it, but I think it looks pretty good. I enjoyed playing with the ripples in the water and doing the detail of the tile along the side of the pool. I usually ignore the surrounding images in photos I'm drawing from, but it was requested that I keep them in for this picture.


"Molly on Tile"

This was such a sweet image. The dog looked so content and relaxed and like it was a lazy hot Sunday afternoon, best spent getting as much of the cool feel of the tile as possible. The photo was taken at an angle, and originally I did draw it with a straight angle to the floor, but I think having seen it tilted in the photo, made me think the straight on look was boring...so I re-drew it like this...I'm still waiting on the final verdict- to see if they like the tilt, or want me to change it. I personally hope they want it left like this, as there's just something about it drawn like this, that makes me feel like I'm right there on the tile with her, enjoying the cool touch of the floor. I'm sure it would have the same effect if it was straight on too, but I personally like it this way.

"Molly Portrait"

This is such a classic pose. I thought it was perfect to save for the last drawing in the series. And it was wonderful to draw, all that texture in the fur, the light in her eyes, the set of her ears (can you tell she was fixed on someone about to throw a ball or a stick?). I just really thought it was a great image to draw, and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed drawing all of them. The owners were lucky to have such a wonderful dog for so many years that they considered their child. I've been informed that the previous 2 drawings have been help in aiding with coming to terms of losing their beloved Molly, and in a few weeks or months they will be seeking to rescue a new puppy or two- which really makes me feel good about these drawings. I'm glad I could help them receive some closure.

"Molly Rolling in the Grass"

I was leery of drawing this at first, afraid that it would look too flat. I had planned to save this for the last in the "Molly series", but decided to go ahead and tackle my fear head on and just start over if I didn't like it.
I lightened up some of the darker shaded areas from the original photograph- thinking that it might make the drawing look less flat, and I think that was accomplished- at least to my eyes it looks that way. What do you think? Does she look like she's rolling in grass? Or does it just look like she's flat? To me she looks like she's taking a nap...but I can see the depth- can you?

On a side note, I was let go from my full time job yesterday :(, they are downsizing and trying to reduce costs where they can. I completely understand, and there's no hard feelings at all, I'm just bummed because I won't get to see my awesome co-workers everyday, or get drawing requests as they walk by my desk. I think at the moment it all just feels surreal to me. Like thinking about Monday. Do I set an alarm? I need to find a job ASAP, but if I set my alarm to get up early and begin my search, I'm afraid that I'll get up and just start my Monday routine like I've done almost every Monday for the last 3 1/2 years. I don't want to be 1/2 way to my old job and realize "holy crap I don't work there anymore!", but at the same time I'm like "uh...wait a minute, can I really not set an alarm? I mean...is it really ok to go ahead and sleep in?"...It's weird...I haven't been in a position like this in 5 years...being unemployed is awkward for me.
It's bitter sweet too though. I really enjoyed working there, but I can say without a doubt, I will not miss answering the phones. I really hope my next position in life, will not be at the front desk...purely for the fact that I think I'm ready for a bigger challenge...even if that means I can't draw during working hours :P

"Molly by the Pool"

My coworker has been telling me about the pictures of her dog that her husband wanted done for the last year or so. I've finally (happily) been bombarded with them, so prepare yourselves for a festive next few weeks of pictures (which my blog certainly could use more of these days!).

I did complete the second drawing of the couple from the last post...but after scanning them, they look so similar I didn't want to get comments about how I double posted a picture...so I'm not going to post it. But it is happily on it's way to the requester...so hopefully it arrives safely, in a timely manner.

I have been slacking on drawing, which I apologize for. I have 2 jobs now (on top of drawing), as well as a knitting class that I take once a month that leaves me with enough knitting homework, that it takes up my free time...so, I'll work hard to crank out these next few drawings, and then I'll finish my knitted square for the month. But feel free to request drawings to your hearts content...I like staying busy.

Take care everyone! :)

Heidi's grandparents

I love drawing people. It's a fact. I recently saw an episode of NY Ink, where one of the tattoo artists was feeling burned out from tattooing portraits- I understood his feelings, as I went thru something similar not too long ago with drawing portraits. But I really enjoy people watching, which in turn makes me really enjoy people drawing, and thus the cycle begins again.

Heidi recently contacted me about doing 2 drawings of her grandparents, both have recently passed. I don't particularly like the circumstances that surround the reason for the request; but I do feel humbled that someone puts their trust in me to draw someone they love as a memorial for them to cherish for years to come.

Yes you did read that the request was for 2 drawings, yet I'm only posting one. Part of that is because I haven't received approval for the second drawing yet, and the other part is, the second drawing, while it's nearly identical to this drawing posted above...there are some differences. It's really hard to draw the same image twice. #1- there's the burn out factor. Sometimes I feel like "I already drew this", so it's hard to put pencil to a clean sheet of paper just to do the same motions again...and then #2- the person wants 2 drawings of the same photo- which is easy in some respect (you've done one...how hard can the second be?), but one wrong stroke of the pencil can make the entire image look completely different from the first. I don't think the second image looks completely different, but if I look closely I can tell it's not the same drawing (which is a good thing, I think). I think separately they look good, both resemble the original photograph...but they do not completely resemble each other. Either way, I hope that both drawings are received well. It was great to get back into the swing of things. There was just something so right about holding that pencil. :)

Try to stay cool everybody! This summer has been a scorcher!