PORTRAITS OF BONNIE
Gibbs was easier to draw than Bonnie. For one thing, he had a very distinctive face with a very long muzzle and those meltingly brown eye. Bonnie had completely different eyes — like little black buttons.
The way her coat grew, her eyes were usually hidden. Even when she had been recently groomed and her eyes were visible, they were so dark — nearly black — that they disappeared into her fur.
Her face was different too. She had a relatively short muzzle, almost more Cairn than a Scottie. She had a longer, silkier coat than Gibbs and a very long beard. All of which made drawing her more difficult. But I think I got it this time.
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Categories: Anecdote, Arts, Drawings, portrait, Scottish Terrier
Serendipity Seeking Intelligent Life on Earth 
Black on black is tricky. You’ve done a good job.
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Thank you! This was my fifth or sixth try at getting Bonnie to look like Bonnie and not like some generic Scottie. I don’t think I will EVER get her eyes looking like her eyes. Basically, her eyes weren’t visible. They were black buttons deep in her black coat.
The only thing trickier than black on black is white on white. I can make most other colors flow from light to dark, but I can’t do it with white or black. Maybe I need a special set of shading pencils. I need more earth tones — and a LOT more shades of gray from very light to nearly black.
I’ve discovered various companies sell sets for different kinds of drawing, including by artist! I almost bought Botticelli colors but I am not Botticelli. nor striving to be like him. I almost picked up a set of Dali colors, though. They were really interesting.
I wind up throwing out a lot of good attempts that went downhill after I tried adding shadows. It’s a learning experience. No matter how hard I try, every picture won’t come out the way I visualize it. But at least more come out better and fewer come out worse.
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