Wednesday 2 September 2009

Drawing Bears in Pastels


I'm still working on my bears for my latest picture book Bears on the Stairs. The extra day off for the Bank Holiday meant that, once again, I had lost momentum come Tuesday. Remember the piece below I was a good way through on Friday?

Well, I've been having real trouble deciding on colours for the bits in the background and, come lunchtime, had only managed Mum's boots and the hanging coats and scarf (and I had to rub the scarf out again, as it looked awful!).
So I decided to put the piece to one side and start a new piece. There are two koala spreads to do that are very similar, so I worked on them together.

No new colours to decide, and nice big, simple spaces to fill. I put a talking book in the CD and I was fine again.

The artwork tacked above the working spreads is there for colour reference: much easier in my new, bigger studio, as for the first time I have room for an A0 desk.
These pics were taken at the end of Tuesday. I'm so relieved I pulled the day round and delighted I got so much done in the afternoon. Phew! My new goal is to get the koala pieces finished by this evening.

I'll let you know how I got on.

6 comments:

cassia said...

I was beginning to believe you were super-human- glad to know you have regular person days once in a while!!!

I'm having problems getting going too this week. Feels like I'm dragging my pencil (and my brain) through a vat of treacle. Still, I know once I get into it, I'll not be able to stop. wheeeee!

Damian Harvey said...

Yes, the summer holidays are definately treacle weeks for me too. It's so much easier to keep going if you don't stop. It's almost as if the brain forgets how to be creative.

I start gettingvery fidgety when I'm not producing much too.

Amy C said...

Oh gosh I am all out of wack with all of the breaks I have taken too.

They look so beautiful and the colors are just stunning.
I hope you have made some great progress since!!!

Lynne the Pencil said...

Thanks folks - it's reassuring to hear we all struggle with the same stuff isn't it?

I didn't get my koalas finished today unfortunately, but still a fair way on. If I can get them done by lunchtime tomorrow I'll be happy.

Jess said...

I was just going to write how I'm finding it difficult getting back into the swing of things after a break and commending you on your progress while I've been away but I see others have already written a similar thing! Thanks so much Lynne for showing us all the process,I love watching the wonderful pictures evolving! :)x

Charlene Brown said...

I'm loving the behind-the-scenes drama you're letting us see! Hope you do in fact get the koalas finished by lunchtime tomorrow -- will check first thing in the morning (Pacific Daylight Time).