Developing a method of drawing various dogs heads from imagery, using my Surface Book and Photoshop.
- Feb 2, 2017
- 4 min read
During the first semester of ART246 my main aim was to step out of my comfort zone of hard-edge geometric drawings in the sketchbook and start to explore new studio materials and the scale at which I worked at. This as a result led me to introduce and explore using a Window Squeegee, Acrylic Paint, India Ink, Vinyl Tape, Larger Paper, Bubble Wrap, Corrugated Cardboard and also MDF Boards into my working practice. The abstract outcomes I have achieved using these materials and tools included both expressive and more precise compositions of pattern, colour, repetition, depth, marks, layers and perspective. However, these were absent of any visual object, figure or drawn design.
Therefore progressing into Semester 2 I plan to re-introduce drawings into my practice alongside the new techniques learnt, as a way of determining how each process can be merged together.
With this in mind I have started by using my Surface Book and Photoshop to create digitally drawn dog heads from photographed imagery (both personal and found). Digital drawing isn't a method I have used previously used so I am keen to see what results can be achieved.
The idea of drawing dog heads resulted purely from looking at my desktop background of my own dog (Tazz) and by using this photograph as my initial source image to draw from, it allowed me to experiment and develop a drawing process in Photoshop which I could later refer to when drawing from other new found imagery of dogs.
During the process of drawing my dog I wanted to be sure to capture the likeness of him whilst also being experimental when it came to mark making and colour. My intention was to try and communicate his short-haired coat without actually drawing every individual hair other than below his nose. This led me to come to the conclusion to outline the various areas of his markings using detailed, jaggered lines as a method of giving the representation of fur. This thought process, along with my colour choice for the multiple drawn areas has allowed me to successfully create a piece which both captures a likeness to Tazz and also expresses my artistic influence to abstract mark making I feel. The overall style I have achieved looks very stylized.
My reasoning when including areas of yellow and dark green into Tazz's markings was a subtle reference to the background location where I took the photograph (Murton, where I live).
Using Google and Pinterest I began looking for imagery of dogs which I felt I could work from to achieve interesting dog representations, paying attention to just the composition of the head within each image. Whilst doing so I came across photographs of dogs which had been dressed up in hats, t-shirts, shades and other human accessories giving the imagery an aspect of humour and playfulness. I decided I would include these into my source images and as a result work towards creating a range of dog head drawings which communicate a range of visual approaches, playfulness and level of humour.
Up to now these are the two drawn outcomes I have created so far using two of the found images from Pinterest. I liked how each photograph communicated a sense of humour and visually Implies each dog is human like. This was something I wanted to try and achieve within my drawing so unlike my representation of my own dog Tazz, I wanted to try and include as much of the natural colours of each dog that I could whilst also stylizing them. Therefore when using Photoshop I used the Eyedropper Tool to determine each area of colour in relation to the photograph/image. When drawing each piece I go through a process of determining how I can include as much of the detail of each dog as I possibly can, whilst sticking to the drawing method I have developed which includes creating multiple outlined areas, to be later filled with colour. This as a result allows me to capture a likeness whilst also producing a illustrative, portrait that looks stylized and communicates the look of the dogs.
I particularly like the most recent piece of the Pitbull in shades and a hat as I was more playful with the flow of marks I used as I was keen to try capture that cool looking quality that the image expressed and tried to portray. Also the way in which the reflection in the sun shades has worked out is something I have surprised myself with as it brings a more realistic quality to the accessory.
Although this digital process is something new I am exploring I am pleased with how it is progressing at the moment and once I have achieved a larger range of drawings and outcomes, my aim then will be to try and see how these can then be merged with the techniques I have developed previously. With the aim of creating new abstract pieces which this time include a form of imagery.
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