Today was the final workout for Takakkaw Falls and I’m happy to say that the drawing has been completed ~
Takakkaw Falls, a graphite drawing (12×9) was done on Bristol Vellum paper using two graphite pencils 2H and HB, for blending a tortilum, a kneaded eraser and a Pentel click eraser. The erasers were key to building, subtracting and rebuilding layers of graphite for the waterfall. I’m a bit disappointed that I was unable to utilize the Sfumato (smoke effect) within the drawing, it’s not that it wouldn’t work in this scene – I need more practice to achieve the look I’m after. So the technique will be used another time.
The wolf, as you know, made an appearance early on in the drawing and was a neat addition to the overall scene. The natives of the Canadian region where this waterfall is located would appreciate his role in looking after the Falls.
Thank you for checking in on this project – it was another fun scene to develop with the amazing graphite pencil. Click onto the image for a larger view.
Based on reference images from LJ and Nicola both incredible artists and photographers with pmp.
DON’T TAKE MY IMAGES!! MY ART IS COPYRIGHTED.
PLEASE DON’T COPY OR USE THE IMAGE WITHOUT RECEIVING MY PERMISSION FIRST – SEE DISCLOSURE ON THE RIGHT PANEL.
Oil Pastels by Mary 
Stunning piece! The wolf is perfect – he’s a symbol of fierce wilderness, but even he is tamed by the magic of the falls. Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
Very generous and thank you so much!! Awesome description – love it, like you were reading my mind. Glad you enjoyed the drawing.
Horray for the wolf surviving the process … and if you recall, early on you weren’t sure. Besides, the wolf is a fitting addition for the tribute to a region. After taking a closer look, I went to Google Images to see pics of the falls because I had heard of them … and wow! Well done, Mary!
Thanks very much Frank, isn’t it amazing to think this figure just became when the background is tribal – that blows my mind and wonder if there was something that pushed the vision. Aren’t the actual Falls incredible the height and breadth of the rock wall are both something that would be awesome to see. The photographer that took the shot told me that there were hikers way up there, looking like tiny ants. I took only a very small snippet of the area to concentrate the drawing on and the development of the rock kind of took on a life of its own. Thank you for always being present!
Wonderful, especially the guardian wolf. 😉
Thank you Gallivanta – he became a special addition to the overall scene. Glad you enjoyed it!
Great job, Mary! I love the wolf detail and the water. 🙂
Thank you so much Calee!! The wolf showed itself and well, just had to stay in the scene.
Lovely finished piece, Mary. I want to go there ~~~~
Thank you Angie – the falls are tremendous and would definitely be a place that I would enjoy visiting too. Thanks again ~
Very nice… I wish it were in colour!!! 🙂
Thank you Pauline!! No color this time – pure graphite.
Gorgeous work with the pencil…absolutely beautiful effect… 🙂
Thank you very much Maniparna, graphite is really relaxing to work with. I really appreciate your generous feedback ~ hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
You apologise for your lack of presence on the blogs this week, Mary, but your artwork is truly beautiful. I would count these a week well spent. 🙂
Thanks so much Jo and do appreciate your good words. I’m always feeling way behind in getting to everyone’s blog these days – hopefully I’ll catch up over the next day or so.
An impossible task, Mary! You do a great job 🙂
AH. The perfect summertime post, Mary!! It’s hard to stop staring at the falls. I can almost hear and feel them. Thanks for refreshing break!
~Theadora
Thank you so much Theadora for your lovely warm comment – it’s a scene from nature that in person would be a spectacular sight to marvel at. Thank you and so glad that you could enjoy a little summer break from the hot streets of Paris!
Wow, but you make the pencil look mighty enticing, lady! Amazing job! Happy weekend to you! 💛
Thank you so much Laura – the pencil is a great tool for creativity. Have a wonderful weekend!
Ah, but the Canis lupus is but a figment of the imagination–the same imagination that has for millennia contributed to the rich tapestry of mythology. To expose an object’s primitive qualities, one has only to view the world through a curtain of smoke (my own theory on Sfumato).
Well done, Mary.
Imaginative thoughts to the drawing Prospero, the wolf has an appearance of a Mexican Wolf in the Canis Lupus species. He kind of took on a life of its own and perhaps will add a bit of mythology to the scene – a protective stance over the area. Thank you so much – loved reading how you view the scene. Hello to Princess Prospero!
I only wish I had your talent with a pencil!
So funny Sarah, and I yours. You have a magnificent ability to see through layered visuals that become masterpieces. Thank you for your beautiful compliment – have a wonderful weekend!
Gosh! I’m going to copy and paste that compliment onto a post-it note to have at all times on my desktop. Happy weekend!
Happy Weekend back to you Sarah!!
Your drawing is so beautiful, Mary!
Thanks so much Jill!!
The appearance of the Wolf is intriguing Mary. Are you sure it’s not some kind of Totem in your unconscious. 🙂 Your drawing is wonderful.
Thank you Don – I think you are so right. A subtle appearance of a wolf showed itself in the third week of drawing the scene and it seemed totally seemed like it was appropriate. As a matter of fact, I did think of Native Americans when I started to more fully develop the Wolf. Was a neat addition, that I never anticipated. Thanks so much for your generous feedback ~
Oh, Mary, brilliant painting. I love it! ….and yes, I’m with Resa!! 😉
Thank you Marina, loved reading your enthusiastic reaction!! Have a most beautiful weekend my friend!
fantastic work Mary! water and the trees look stunning 🙂
Thank you Debi for your generous feedback on the drawing, means a lot!
Bravo Mary, this is a beauty…Have a wonderful weekend. Janet:)
Thank you so much Janet – really appreciate it! Have a wonderful weekend too~
You are welcome.
Just one word: a masterpiece! Thanks so much!
You are too kind my friend! Thank you very much Fabio ~
Well deserved, Mary! 🙂
I love the way you use this pencil Mary. It is quite beautiful!
Thank you Nicodemas – I really appreciate your kind words!!
In this drawing you are able to deal with moving water, a variety of rocks and stones and trees. It really does demonstrate how accomplished and sophisticated your drawing has become. Excellent job, Mary!
Thanks so much Cynthia for your thoughtful and generous words, can’t tell you how much your assessment of the drawing means to me. It was a bit of a challenge as I see there are still some areas I could go back in and work, but it’s run its course and time to move to another drawing project. Thanks for supporting and encouraging me – my next drawing will be another interesting and hopefully rewarding challenge. Have a great weekend.
Glad you worked the wolf into your drawing, Mary.
Thanks Geralyn – have a wonderful weekend.
you too, Mary.
It’s truly gorgeous, Mary. Well done! The wolf is so perfect, and quite subtle; not too intrusive in the overall painting. Can’t wait to see what your next Thursday project will be. 🙂
Thank you so much Sylvia – really appreciate your assessment on the wolf, was an interesting addition to the scene. Still considering my next, I think I know but we’ll see ~
How beautiful, Mary! The wolf was first thing I noticed; very precious! 🙂
Thank you Sibella – the wolf steals the show!!
Indeed! 🙂
Stunning Mary.
Thank you Leanne!!
You did a great job on the water… I can actually hear it falling!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment – very cool that the sound is coming to you!!
Go wolf! Go wolf! Go wolf! … oh, am I showing my Canadian roots?
OMG! I’m just loving & having so much fun as this work of art progresses.
Thank you, Mary!
You’ve made my day Resa! The drawing is finally done and yes, Canada rocks!!
Go Mary!!!
Amazing sketching.