In White Wolf- Part 2 we will render the Negative Space, beginning with the rocks. Notice the placement of the rocks are part of the Foreground and the Middleground as well.
Step 1- Start forming the rocks and adding texture. I began by using a Conte Carbon Pencil (it has a core derived from traditional charcoal but is stronger and does not crumble or dirty the hands) clearly defining the rocks and creating texture using squiggles, shading, stippling, and small circles.
In these up close images, notice the value studies used to create the shadows forming the rocks. You can clearly see the texture applied by squiggles, stippling, and circles.
Step 2- Blend and use a Kneaded Eraser to pop out highlights. Blend with a Stump, duplicating the same strokes used to create the different textures.
Step 3- Make small circles using a 3B Graphite Pencil. Create more depth using a charcoal pencil. I use Ritmo Charcoal Pencils because they combine the rich blackness of a charcoal pencil with the smooth control of a graphite pencil.
Step 4- Up close view of the texture created with a Prismacolor Turquoise 3B Graphite and Ritmo Charcoal Pencil.
Step 5- Lay in contour drawings of the rocks in the snow.
Step 6- Use the Conte Carbon Pencil to define the small details in the rocks. Repeat steps used to complete the rocks using a Graphite Pencil and Charcoal Pencil. Blend the small rocks carefully using a Tortillion, not a Stump. The snow is formed by small, lightly sketched, tight circles in a zig zag pattern using the Check Back Method to simulate the texture of the snow. The darker areas in the shadows on the snow are created by overlapping the small circles until you achieve your desired effect. *Make sure you use the pure white of the paper, to your advantage, when rendering snow.
Step 7- The trees in the background are drawn in upward strokes using a Compressed Charcoal Stick. The lines simulate loose, broken hatching.
* Notice the piece of paper laying over the drawing. It is essential to use paper to cover and protect your drawing from smudging and smearing by your hand as it moves across your paper. Make sure you lift your paper up and carefully place it over the areas your hand will lay upon as you draw. If you slide the paper, as opposed to lifting it, when you begin another area of your drawing, you risk the chance of smearing or losing details.
Step 8- Overlap strokes to simulate the density of the trees. Make sure you leave areas white. Use a Stump to define some of the trees. Pull out highlights in the trees with your Kneaded Eraser shaped properly. Make sure the edge of the snow, rock and wolf are full, not outlined, or have gaps in them.
Step 9- Spray your drawing with Workable Fixatif ($11.88) or you can get the “poor artists Fixatif” and get Aqua Net Extra Super Hold which will do close to the same. Follow directions and spray at least 2 coats, waiting ar least 20 minutes between each spray.
In Part 3- White Wolf we will render the White Wolf and do any touch ups to complete the drawing.