[Snowflake]

Hello,

New to the forum and intermediate to charcoal. I wanted to try doing a drawing of a living thing, so i picked my cat. I think it's going by alright but i'm not happy with the fur. I think it should pop out more? Currently i am laying down a medium gray layer of charcoal and using an eraser for the highlights and darker strokes for the shadows. Any suggestions? I have my current progress attached


Thanks

 

[TerryCurley]

He is coming along very nice, but yes the fur is too flat. I only paint and what I do to make fur when I paint is first apply an undercoat color and then put lighter lines on top for the fussiness of the fur. I don't know exactly how you would adapt that to a charcoal drawing. I'm sure someone here will be able to help you.

 

[Snowflake]

I have yet to try to paint so cud's to you. Some have suggested to me to just start a lot darker to add more depth so perhaps i shall try that

 

[Susan Mulno]

Hi! :vs_wave:

Under the eyes and around his right eye and around his right side of the muzzle (left as you look at pic) look great, keep doing what you did there.

 

[Snowflake]

Ok will do, and i find you name ironic to this thread cause the cat's name is susan as well lol

 

[Susan Mulno]

That is funny! I stand corrected, "she" and "her".

I also meant to mention the inside of her ear, same side. Looks great!

 

[Bushcraftonfire]

Actually you are working correctly with charcoal.. Start lightly and darken ares as you go along.. unless you want to try a lot of erasing.. but charcoal (unless you use vine) is less forgiving in the erasing mode

 

[Sorin]

Yup... Yer doing ok but are afraid to get dark. Better that way cuz it has to be done gradually. Look for patterns in the fur's laying also, where it lays one way or another. Take care to not screw up the lightest areas cuz you can't take it away.

 

[Jaz15]

Agree with Susan there, the left of the picture around the eyes and muzzle and the ears look great, if you just continue how you did those parts. Try to pay close attention to the direction of the fur and length as well as the dark and light tones. I find maybe the eyes a little dark and should have more detail but that maybe just me. Learning fur myself but in graphite and my worst trait is rushing it, make sure you take regular breaks to give yourself a fresh look at your picture. Nice work though.

 

[Snowflake]

hopefully i'll have some time soon to continue working on it, and i'll post some updates then

 

[Linzibx]

Good start but if I were to do anything to it I would fuzzy those straight lines x the edge of fur should look uneven Pick out some areas to put shadow too, again not even or flat but put texture in it

 

[Linzibx]

Also a very important part x highlights in the eyes will make the picture live