Today I spent a little more than an hour on the drawing. The project is more complex than I originally thought and will take many hours to complete, which is okay it’s just that you’re going to see this scene for several more weeks ~
Takakkaw Falls, a graphite drawing (12×9) is being drawn on Bristol Vellum paper – using only 2H and HB graphite pencils, and a tortilum for blending. The slabs of rock continued to be developed today, and the left-side of the waterfall was started.
I expected to see a lot more progress today, but I’m having to feel my way around portions of the rocks where the bulk needs to be more prominent – this is more of a give and take process – right now they look flat next to the waterfall. Also I’m starting the waterfall, while I know the look I want to project, it’s not materializing yet. I think during the coming week I’ll use scrap paper to see if I can’t figure out how to get the weight and full force/energy of the water to project more – form and value management will be key here.
So many saw the wolf’s head last week. Well here we go again, not wanting to disturb the head, late in the drawing session I started drawing in the far right rock wall abutting the water fall, and what do you know? After I took the photograph what did I noticed? The leg! I’m serious and really this hasn’t happened in a drawing before. Do you see it? There is no question the wolf will be left in – something is telling me it’s there for a reason.
Thanks for checking in ~ click onto the image for a larger view.
Takakkaw Falls #4
Oil Pastels by Mary 
It’s the energy of the falling water calling for the wolf…
robert
Perfect, love your description – absolutely. Thanks very much!!
It took me a number of times going back and forth to the photo, but i finally saw it! Can’t wait to see where all this leads. Beautiful waterfall and rocks (and fox) so far.
Yeah Carol, thank you and so glad you finally found the (fox, ha-ha) wolf!! It’s really been fun project to work on.
I looked, and there he was, I looked again, and there was his leg! I admit I’m curious to see how this piece evolves.
So cool Elisa – takes a while, but if you keep looking eventually he comes forward. I’m looking forward to Thursday and working on the scene again.
The roaring falls are emerging!
Thanks Dorann, you’ll gradually see them emerge.
I spent yesterday attending a gardening tour in Maine. At two of the gardeners, I noticed individuals sketching plants and landscapes. Artistic skills are something to be treasured because most of us don’t have them. 🙂
Thanks so much Judy, but you have photography skills that I’m sorely lacking!!
The texture of the rocks on one side, the wolf on the other side, and the waterfall is running through in the middle, what a beautiful, special composition of this drawing. Thank you for sharing it with us, Mary!
Thanks Amy, it’s a fun and interesting scene to bring about with graphite pencil. I’m a bit anxious to get a full and powerful waterfall, that I’m hoping will all come together in the end. Thanks for checking in ~
Not seeing it yet. Looking forward to the next posting…:)
Thanks Elena – I’ll be leaving in the wolf, gradually you’ll see him emerge. This scene has lots of challenges in it, has me totally absorbed when working on it.
Perhaps you should name this Hour of the Wolf after the Bergman film. Suggesting the wolf will make certain that everyone is predisposed to seeing a wolf. And then all you’ll have to do is explain the Bergman part.
What a great idea Prospero – this week I’ll be extra quiet on the wolf sighting and we’ll see what happens at the end. Thank you for checking in ~ the scene is moving right along.
I don’t see nuttin’ yet but the skinny water at top running tothe fat water falling does start to give sense of depth.
Thank you Carl – ah, just (hint) check out the right-side. It might materialize ~
Ah, now I see. Will he be bringing his bath cap ?
Re the Wolf, something uncanny happened to help me with a portrait of my Dad. It is described in this post: http://derrickjknight.com/2012/08/07/would-you-believe-it/
Gorgeous portrait Derrick and an amazing visit by your Dad, when your eyes were failing because of the late hour. Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful post of Christmas Eve and your Dad.
Thanks Mary. Praise indeed
I think I see the leg too. Little steps. This will be a masterpiece, a picture you will always go back to because of the commitment and what you’ve learned and experienced a long the way.
Thank you so much for your support and feedback! It’s been a good run these last couple of years and all the drawings the Thursday projects have produced – you are so right, the learning has been the biggest reward.
I’m excited, as usual to watch the image develop, but the wolf head has added a big new thrill!
Thanks Resa – it is coming along. It’s kind of interesting to me, seeing the road it has taken. I’m getting a good feel for where it’s headed. Have a lovely weekend.
It’s getting so interesting, Mary…wonderful… 🙂
Thank you Maniparna!
Lovely drawing just as it is! It reminds me of Turner’s watercolour sketches he did of various waterfalls that you can see on the Tate website that I have been looking at lately. (im not sure how to paste in links yet 😉 )
Thanks Anna – I checked them out and Turners Waterfall sketches are very interesting. Appreciate you following along! Thanks so much and have a great weekend.
I think I see the leg, Mary. I appreciate your patience with your art and accepting that this is more complex than first thought. I”m inpatient (in everything I do) and need to realize some of my writing may be more complex and need more time. Thanks! Have a great weekend.
Thanks Geralyn – sometimes drawing takes countless hours, just to develop one area. I was doing some research today and a 8×10 drawing took this guy some 120 hours, but the finished product was one of the most awesome pieces of work I’ve ever seen done with a pencil (not hyper-realism, but a style called stippling that takes a very long time in doing). Have a great weekend too!
Maybe we will see a beautiful tail next. 😉
Thanks Gallivanta!!
The drawing is progressing beautifully and I am fascinated to see how you work….I don’t see the let yet…but just got up….will take another look later. Meanwhile, enjoy a wonderful weekend. Janet. 🙂
Thanks Janet! It’s a very fascinating process this one, thoroughly challenging and enjoyable. I can’t wait to work on the foreground the right slab of rock – I can see where it’s going. Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for always being present.
I am looking forward to seeing the progress….Janet
Excellent Mary!
Thanks Nicodemas!
I see the leg … but I’ve got the feeling wolfie won’t survive.
Oh I don’t know Frank – it would be hard for me to ignore something that is determined to keep popping up in the mountain side. Hope you have a lovely weekend and best to you on your golf game!
How very interesting, Mary. That wolf is determined to steal the show. Great work as always. 🙂
I know Sylvia and so unexpected. But wait, there is so much more to the drawing – you never know what’s going to appear! Thanks!
I’m not seeing the leg, but my eyes are very tired this evening. I might have to take another look in the morning. It looks good, Mary with our without the leg.:)
Thanks Jill – not a problem you’ll see the leg soon enough. Thanks very much and have a wonderful weekend.
Yes, I see it, Mary. This is getting spooky. Please take your time. It isn’t boring to watch the process….only, as a commenter, there isn’t much new to say except that I admire what you are trying to do here, and keep on going on!
Odd right Cynthia? But it’s now, having 24 hours to think about it, is making for a very interesting project. I worked on some waterfall drawing styles this morning and think I know where I’ll take them and also the very foreground which will start to come into view. I would be very surprised if I took the wolf out now – it’s kind of become a secondary focal point that will be fun to develop just a bit more. Have a lovely weekend ~ thanks you also for your supportive feedback!!
Hello Mary, Good to see your drawing being developed! It is a hard work, but not for you, because you love what you are doing. Thanks for mentioning the wolf and its leg on the drawing! I could find them perfectly. Keep up the excellent job and I am looking forward to seeing the picture on its final stage. Have a great weekend! 🙂
Hi FAbio – thanks very much! There are some interesting stages coming that I should pull the whole project together. Thanks for following along and for your generous words of encouragement!
Thanks so much, Mary! Hope you have another very creative week. Take care, my friend!
I still see a monkey (capuchin(sp) from the side) and now a leg! Woo, a challenging subject but I know you’re up to the challenge, Mary! 💛
Hi Laura – a monkey, well that’s okay! Who knows what might pop up next – in any event this is a good drawing project that I’m really enjoying sinking my “pencils” into, lol! Have a lovely weekend.
It’s the same monkey I saw in the last phase! Leave it to me to see a monkey when everyone else sees a fox, Mary.