Hello All,

I thought I would repost the Scratchboard piece I did titled "Pride and Glory".  I had it professionally photographed and this looks more like the original piece.  I'm much happier with the image now.

This was done on Ampersand's Black Scratchbord and then colorized with Derwent Inktense Colored Pencils.  I used the Inktense as watercolor pencils and painted on the color.  The size is 14" x 11".

I am really enjoying the scratchboard!

Don't forget to keep scribbling!!
Gemma

"Here Me Roar" accepted in the Colored Pencil Society of America International Exhibition!

Here Me Roar

Hello Everyone!

I am thrilled to find out that my lion cub, titled "Hear Me Roar" was accepted in the 22nd Annual International Exhibition of the Colored Pencil Society of America!   This piece is done with 100% colored pencil on white Pastelbord.

Typically there are hundreds of pieces entered in this show and usually only about one hundred and twenty or so, are accepted.  To be selected for this exhibition is quite an honor.  This will be the seventh time I have been accepted, only 3 more times after this to receive my 10 year merit award.  I am definitely doing the happy dance!

Don't for get...... Keep Scribbling!!
Gemma

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation, Finished!

Hello Everyone!!

Well.... after a long recovery I think I am almost back to normal.  I am so glad I had the back surgery because things seem to be so much better.  I am told it may take about 4 months for the nerve pain to go completely away but I am far better then before the surgery.

I FINALLY got Simba done!!!!!!!!  It seemed like it took forever but I guess it's understandable with the back issues and surgery.  It's really nice to be back drawing!  

As I mentioned before Simba was done with 100% colored pencils on Suede Mat Board, it's 18" X 14".  Next I plan on having it photographed and then I will have it matted and send it to Animal Defenders International.  I attached an image of the finished piece along with a close up of part of his mane.

I'm happy with the finished piece and I hope that ADI will not only like it but will hopefully be able to use it in some way to help raise money for all of the great work the are doing world wide.  I do plan on selling limited edition prints of him along with some note cards.  I'm pledging 10% of any of the sales I earn from the prints and note cards to ADI.

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

 Next I plan on working on a Lion cub.  I will be creating workshop book of the Cub and will be teaching that class in April (date to be determined) in Copperopolis, CA at the Town Hall Arts/Galerie Copper.  I will then be able to offer both the cub and the wolf for future workshops.

 Keep Scribbling!!
Gemma

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation, WIP05

Hello Everyone!!

Well... after a month or two I am finally able to draw.  My back is doing better but it isn't completely well yet.  My doctor prescribed some medication that is helping considerably.  

I finally got a chance to do some work on Simba.  I've gotten most of the fun stuff done and I'm now working on his mane.  He is such a pretty boy, I'm really enjoying doing his portrait.

I was hoping I would have him done by now but this setback with my back injury took care of that.  I have less than 2 weeks before I will be teaching the workshop on the Ann Kullberg Colored Pencil Cruise so I'm thinking I probably won't be able to finish him before I leave but we'll see.... I'm going to give it a try.  If you should have any questions at all please don't hesitate to speak up.

Thanks for checking in and don't forget to keep scribbling!
Gemma

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation, WIP04

Hi All,

Here's another update on Simba!  As you can see I am moving right along.  I'm starting to get the background in on the right side as I go along.

So far I have used 100% colored pencils and it's done on Suede Mat board.  When I work in colored pencils I use several different brands.  Most of this is done in Prismacolor however; it does also have Derwent Studios, Derwent Colorsoft, Faber Castell Polychromos, Derwent Artist and I think that's about it.  If you're wondering why I use so many different brands.... it's because of color choice and also because the different pencils behave a bit differently and are better for some things.  As an example I really like Derwent Studios for fine fur, they are a harder pencil which makes it great for fine hair.  I have found I don't have any problem at all with mixing different brands of pencils.  They all seem to work fine with one another.

If you should have any questions don't hesitate to speak up and comments are also welcomed.  
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

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