[attachmentid=7731]I have just loaded this...my first attempt at drawing...helped by the Lesson, "Jumping Jack".

I know its far from the standard you guys have achieved, but I would be delighted with your comments / suggestions as to where to improve.

Jerry

Wow, Jerry, for a first attempt at drawing, I am really impressed. It sure looks better than my first attempt.
You did very well, indeed. Keep it up.. Not like painting, is it?

By the way. I LOVE your oil paintings. Bringing in the boat might be my favorite, but I like thim all..

I agree with Cyn, it's a great job, especially for a first attempt!

My biggest piece of advice for you would be to learn to go slowly. As you learn to draw better and better, you should be taking more time on each drawing, rather than less. At some point, this will turn around, and you'll learn to speed up a little again. But for now, concentrate on relaxing and taking it slowly.

Jerry, had a look at your oils - I like the 'Lake in the Valley' the best I think.

As for your drawing I think you're doing well for a first - its harder than it looks isn't it?

Don't forget as Ernest said to take your time - when I do an animal portrait it can take me weeks (a few hours here and there, not solid working every day)(mine are usually A3 size too). It is important to take that time to begin with to build up depth with your layers, and to ensure that you don't make marks too deeply that you want to remove later (and find you've gone too dark too soon & can't).

Now on to the good - you are doing very well for a first with the eyes - they are the soul of an animal, and if you don't have the animal's colour quite right or the coat sitting just so any owner will forgive that if they can see the spirit of their little Spot or Rover peering out under those bushy little brows. You are well on the way to doing that - but I would say that whilst the highlights in those eyes should approximate each other in position have a look at photos of people and animals - its never identical in size in each eye - that can make it look a little contrived.

I am being very critical of a first timer because I think you can do extremely well with graphite drawing if you choose to continue to play in this medium.

Good luck with your future drawings and don't forget - if you muck it up - its only paper! So get in there! Get that graphite under your fingernails!

As Harley Brown always says "Drawing is important" and "As an artist you will be the perennial student, and that will keep you young,"

So Welcome to the fountain of youth!!


Sue

Wow....folks...Im delighted with your comments.Every piece of advice greatfull accepted, and taken on board.In intend to practice..practice over the Winter months, and will post my efforts for your views.

many thanks to you all.

Jerry

Jerry
Didn't want to leave your site beacuse of the music. Can't remember the name of that piece, but know I've heard it many times.
Slim

Hi Slim

I take it you are referring to my Picturetrail site??.
This is a Midi file of a song by a guy called Vince Gill, and is titled "When I call your name"

Music is my other hobby...indeed I work as a "One man Band" in Hotels, Clubs etc. I love American Country music...and Vince is one of my particular favourites.

Can let you have a copy of the Midi if you like...PM me with your email, and I will attach it.Of course you must have a source to play such a file on your Computer, and you can get this absolutely free at www.vanbasco.com.

Hope this does not contravene the rules here, and hope its of use to you.

Jerry