Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Margaret Gets Her Chicken... errr Rooster

The last 4 days have been great. I've explored colour palettes, texture-techniques like layering and glazing. I've experimented with various paints, gels and other mediums too. I've enjoyed having the time to play, but it's back to the full time gig tomorrow. So today I had a few things I wanted to accomplish. The FIRST THING I needed to do -- was to put Margaret together. 

In my original 11'' x 17'' drawing, Margaret was only drawn to the armpits... sans torso. For Margaret to work in the square composition I needed to add to her body and draw her down to her hips. So I went about scanning, enlarging and then printing her out using a large format printer. This way I could see how she would fit on the 40'' x 40'' Big Ass Blank Canvas.  

Utilizing tracing paper, I traced the large print of Margaret. I added sheets of tracing paper, as I added to her body. Tracing paper is translucent allowing you to see through to what's underneath. It also allows you to draw various renditions of components before committing to a final drawing. For instance, if I wanted to try two different body styles on Margaret, I could draw them on two separate pieces of tracing paper. Then easily I could try each one to see which one worked best.

The SECOND THING I wanted to accomplish was to draw a chicken. What can I say, Margaret wants to have a chicken. On a separate piece of tracing paper I began to draw the chicken, until unceremoniously it turned into a rooster. So a rooster it will be.

There still a few more tweaks that I need to do. Once I am completely satisfied with the drawing, I'll use the graphite method to transfer Margaret to the canvas. 


Margaret in her original proportions... drawn to the armpits.
I have added sheets of tracing paper as I begin to draw more of her.


The chicken who unceremoniously turned into a rooster.
I have since shortened his beak.


Margaret holding her rooster... finally.


Margaret's head is on a separate piece 
of tracing paper.


Her upper torso, the rooster, her skirts, as well 
as the right horizon line and the left horizon 
line with trees (horizon lines not shown in this photo) 
are all on separate pieces of tracing paper.

Here is how Margaret fits onto the canvas. 
Now for the paint!


3 comments:

Carol said...

I'm really loving watching her come together. It's fasinating following your process and it's nice to know that it's not just me that uses tracing paper to try things out.

C x

Jamie Lees said...

LOL. Yes it is a great way to work. Happy to hear you do the same Carol.

Jennifer said...

Margaret - how great to meet you and your ROOSTER!