baby baby! Coloured Pencil on Bristol Board

 Babies are challenging to draw as their skin is so perfectly smooth - too much tonal variation and you can accidentally age the subject by months, if not years! 

This little chap is the youngest of three siblings, and it's been my pleasure to draw all of them. They have been, as babies, uncannily alike.

A couple of stages along the way to completion. As you can see in the background, usually all areas have at least two colours, to get the tones and colours required. 

Here he is on Christmas Day, being shown his portrait! 

All workshops are currently on both Zoom and in studio. If you would like info on weekly or one-off workshops please email julie@juliedouglas.co.uk

Portrait commission, progress shots (and cats in the studio)

 Cats are an interesting addition to any studio, and not, I must admit, for the faint hearted. They have a knack of wanting to sit just where you are, or on the computer keyboard or, wait for it, ON YOUR ARTWORK. This is a common occurrance for my students too, as many of them finish off their Zoom class by sending a photo of the cat either drinking their water colour water, or sitting directly on top of their painting! 

'What's the story?' 

I'd just blocked in the line drawing for this commission when the cat decided it was enough already. No harm was done, thankfully... 

Usually, I like to start at the eyes and work outwards from there. This was a graphite commission, so only one layer needed. 

Gently gently down the cheek - the best work to have in mind is 'SOFT' - no hard transitions or edges!

'I give up'

Above, the finished artwork. 

Finally, dear little Lulu, who was fond of lifting the pencil and 'helping'. Fondly missed. 

For info on portraits, or drawing and painting workshops please email julie@juliedouglas.co.uk