Elephants Work in Progress 5

BFF's - Save the Elephants

Hi All,

Well, this is a long time coming!  I have been working on this piece for a long long time.  When I first started this piece we had some family health issues so it kept getting delayed.  During the time of this creation, my sister passed away, my mother was moved to a Memory Care Center and has recently passed away herself.

This piece will always remind me of my Mother and my Sister.  I will always feel as if the two matriarchs of our family, Dorothy (my mom) and Pam (my sister) are represented in this piece.

This was done on Suede Mat Board, it's 16" x 24", it's 100% colored pencil and the photo was a photo I took of Maggie and Mara, two elephants that live at the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).  I have volunteered there at PAWS for a little over 6 1/2 years and I have always loved these elephants.  I hope I was able to do these two beauties justice!

If you have any questions or comments just speak up.  Don't forget to keep scribbling!!
Gemma

Elephants Work In Progress 04

Work in Progress, BFF's

Hi All,

Well..... I bet you thought I would never have another update on these girls.  It's been very slow going because of some other art commitments and because of family illnesses.

These elephants live in a Sanctuary called Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) where I have volunteered for years.  Their names are Maggie and Mara.

As I said before.... drawing elephant skin can be really really boring so that probably has a lot to do with the slowness of completing this piece.

If you have any questions of comments don't hesitate to speak up.

The info on this artwork is as follows:
Photo Reference:  Was taken by me
Title:  BFF's
Size 16" x 24"
Medium:  Colored Pencil on very light tan Suede Matboard

Don't forget to keep Scribbling!!
Gemma

Elephants, Work in Progress 03

Hello All,
Well this has been very slow going but I finally have an update. The finished piece is done from a photo that I took at a wildlife sanctuary where I am a docent. The name of the sanctuary is Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). The reference photo is of two elephants that are always together and their names are Mara and Maggie. I have one of the elephants done so far. One thing I have to say is..... Elephant skin is sooooo boring!!!!! LOL! That probably has a lot to do with why this is taking such a long time.
If you have any question or comments don't hesitate to speak up.
The info on this artwork is as follows: Photo Reference: My Own Title: BFF's Size: 16" x 24" Medium: Colored Pencil on very light tan, Suede Mat Board
Don't forget to keep Scribbling! Gemma

Elephants Work in Progress 02

Hello All, 

Here's an update to my Elephants. I haven't gotten a whole lot done but the skin has lots of details and is somewhat boring to do, LOL. 

This time I scanned it rather than photograph it from my iPhone so the colors are much more truer.

Title: BFF's

Size: 16" x 24"

Medium: Colored Pencil on Suede Mat Board

If you have any comments or questions, don't hesitate to speak up.  Don't forget to Keep Scribbling!  Cheers, Gemma, CPSA, AFC

It's Been A Long Time! Elephants Work in Progress 01

Hello All,

It's been along long time since I have been able to do any artwork.

I am now back at it and hope to stay motivated to get some work done, it does feel good to be back at the drawing table.

I took this photo of a couple of elephants at a sanctuary where I am a docent.  The name of the sanctuary is Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).  These two elephants are Maggie and Mara.  I'm thinking of titling this piece "BFF's" because they are always together.  This piece is being done on light tan Suede Mat Board, it's done with 100% colored pencils and the size is 16" x 24".

Here is the work in progress, it's the upper left corner of the piece.

I had started this piece before and thought it might be interesting to do it on smooth white paper.  I just wasn't happy with the way it was going so I decided to try it, this time, on the Suede Mat Board and I am liking it much better, so far.

Feel free to leave any questions or comments if you want. Good to be back!   Don't forget to keep Scribbling!  Gemma

Performing Animal Welfare Society Elephants - WIP02

Upper left area of the drawing.

Hi All,

Sorry for how slow this is going.  As the Conventions Director for the Colored Pencil Society of America, I have been absolutely swamped. This is a really busy time for me because the convention is coming up at the end of this month.

Also... I am having a hard time staying focused on this piece because it is all so much of the same thing over and over again.  It can get a bit boring at times.  So....  with that being said I decided to get started on a commission I need to get done and I will jump back and forth between the two of them, I don't usually do this but I really need to get the commission.  My next post will be the reference photo and the contour drawing of that commission.  I also want to apologize for those of you who have already seen the mobile post of this on Facebook.  This is a much better image of it though.

This really isn't much of an update from the last but I thought I would let you see that progress at this point anyway.  I'm using all of the French Grey's, Chocolate, some of the Warm Grey's, Dark Umber, Light Umber, White, Black, Cloud Blue, Beige Sienna and some of the Browns from my Derwent Studio Pencils.  I think that's about it.  If you should have any questions or comments just let me know. 


Keep Scribbling!!
Gemma

Performing Animal Welfare Society Elephants - WIP01

Reference Drawing Before Editing out the Cable

Upper Left corner of the Drawing

Hi All,

I thought it might interest you to see my reference drawing prior to editing the cable from the drawing.  I took this picture at the Performing Animal Welfare Society Sanctuary (PAWS).  I used the clone tool in Photoshop to remove the cable (see first image to the left).  You can see the finished reference photo in my previous post.  I plan my reference and composition in Photoshop.  I create a contour drawing from that reference and then transfer it to my support.  I use a grid to create the contour drawing and also use the grid to refer to while creating the colored pencil piece.  I do erase parts of the grid as I go so it won't show up in the drawing.

The second image to the left is my first post of my colored pencil drawing.  This piece will be 16" X 24", it's being done on Strathmore 500 Bristol Vellum and it's 100% colored pencil.  I am using solvent after laying down the first couple of layers.  This scan seems to be showing up more yellow than it is in true life but at least you can get an idea of how I create my artwork as I go. 

I'm using all of the French Grey's, Chocolate, some of the Warm Grey's, Dark Umber, Light Umber, White, Black, Cloud Blue, Beige Sienna and some of the Browns from my Derwent Studio Pencils.  I think that's about it.  If you should have any questions or comments just let me know.

Keep Scribbling!!
Gemma

Performing Animal Welfare Society Elephants - WIP

Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Elephants

Hello All,

I started a new piece using the photo to the left as my reference photo.  I took this picture of these Elephants at "Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) where I do volunteer work.

It's really interesting how elephants find a life long friend and the elephants at the sanctuary are no different.  These two are always together, the are truly BFF's!  Therefore, I plan to call this piece "BFF (Best Friends Forever)".  I just started working on this piece so I really don't have enough at this time, to share.  It's going to be 100% Colored Pencil and is being done on Strathmore 400 Bristol Vellum, 4 Ply.  This is the first time I have tried working on this paper so we will see how I like it. The size is 16" x 24".

If you should have any questions or comments please let me know and don't forget..... Keep Scribbling!!

Gemma

Another Lion Rescue by ADI

Hello All,

For those of you who have been following my "Work In Progress" on Simba the lion, I thought I would share a wonderful video with you!!

I just got an email from Lisa, at Animal Defenders International (ADI) and they have recently rescued several other Lions from the Bolivian Circus!  This video shows Pancho, Temuco, Chitara, Delila and Kenya all being released in their new 20 acre habitat.  It is unbelievable, that up till now, these lions lived in a cage no larger than a bed for all of their lives.  It is so incredible to watch them in this video romp and play after being released to their new habitat in Colorado.

ADI is an incredible organization who are doing incredible things for these captive animals.  Enjoy the video of Pancho, Temuco, Chitara, Delila and Kenya in their new habitats.

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation, WIP03 - Closeup

Hi All,

Nancy asked that I post a closeup of the muzzle, in one of her comments.  So...... here it is!

If you have any questions just speak up and keep scribbling!!

Gemma

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation, WIP03

Hi Everyone!!

I hope all is doing OK with those of you on the East Coast after Hurricane Irene!!!

Here's an update of the Lion I'm doing for Animal Defenders International.  As you can see I haven't gotten a lot done, life just seems to be getting in the way, LOL.  I'm hoping to be able to spend more time on it in the next couple of weeks.

I'm using the same procedure as I usually do, nothing really new so, I can't think of anything else to say about this guy.  I'm still working in the mouth area so there will be some changes, I'm sure, in that area, with the next update.

If you should have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to speak up.  Have a great day and most of all don't forget to Keep Scribbling!!

Cheers,
Gemma

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation WIP02

Hi Everyone!!

First and foremost..... I hope all of you are staying safe on the East coast.  Please, please take care of yourselves... that is the number one thing you need to think about.  My thoughts are with each and every one of you.

Here is the next update on my sweet lion named Simba.  He is such a gorgeous boy and I love watching him and telling everyone about him when I am volunteering my time at PAWS. 

I'm still doing some work on the nose so please don't judge that yet.  He's done in mostly Prismacolor and Derwent Studio Colored Pencils on Suede mat board.  You are only seeing part of the upper half of what will be the finished piece.

This piece will be donated to Animal Defenders International (ADI).  ADI was the organization that were instumental in getting the the lions to PAWS.  They are also paying for the care and habitat for the lions at PAWS.  They are a wonderful group of people who are very passionate about freeing animals from the deplorable conditions in the circus' and any other deplorable conditions all around the world.  Simba was one of the lions who was released from the Bolivian circus.  He and three others from Bolivia, are now living a wonderful life in there very very large habitat at PAWS.

If you should have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to speak up.  And.... don't forget to keep scribbling!!!!

Cheers, Gemma

Performing Animal Welfare Society - PAWS

Hi All,

As many of you may know, I volunteer my time as a Docent for the lions at Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).  Every year PAWS has an event called the Grape Stomp.  This event helps raise funds to feed and house all of the animals at the Sanctuary.  The San Andreas PAWS site (Ark2000) has Elephants, Lions, Tigers and Bears living there and can really use all of our help.  This is not only a wonderful cause it is also great fun and chance to see the Sanctuary and Animals.  If any of you live near San Andreas, CA or plan to visit the area October 15, 2011 and would like to attend the Grape Stomp you can find information about the event at the links below:

Grape Stomp Flyer
Performing Animal Welfare Society Website

I will be there by the Lion's habitat so I hope to see many of you there.
Cheers!!
Gemma

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation WIP01

Hi All,

As many of you probably already know I volunteer some of my time at Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and Animal Defenders International (ADI).  If you are interested in reading more about these organizations here is a link to their websites:  http://pawsweb.org/ and http://www.ad-international.org/adi_usa/.  ADI was instrumental in getting a ban against animals in circus' in Bolivia.  After the ban went into effect ADI brought 4 lions from Bolivia and placed them at PAWS (as well as rescuing several others from there and placing them in other sanctuaries).  I am a docent for the four lions at PAWS.  I met the founder and Director of ADI at PAWS and promised them I would create a drawing of one of the lions from Bolivia to donate to them to do what they want with it.  I think they are going to try to do an auction on the artwork.  They recently sent me a photo of Simba to work from and that reference photo is to the left here in this post.

I started working on Simba...... this is all I have done so far.  Of course... I'm only showing a portion of the drawing at this point.  The drawing is 18" x 14" on a light beige Suede Mat board and it will be 100% colored pencil.

As you can see, I draw the grid right on the drawing and the reference photo.  This helps me keep track of where I'm at as I create the drawing.  I am still working on this area so it isn't finished yet.  You can see I need to push the values a bit more than I have at this time.  I'm also seeing I need to do a bit more with the eyes.  It's amazing how posting it the computer can make you see some of that stuff you don't see prior to posting it. 

As always.... if you should have any questions or comments let me know and above all..... keep scribbling!!!
Gemma