Bernese Mountain Dog in Graphite

This graphite portrait of my Bernese Mountain Dog is teaching me a lot about drawing. Lessons I've forgotten.

Drawing is a perishable skill. I spend a lot of time working to keep –and re-acquire– my graphite drawing skills. I'm still not quite where I want to be, but each drawing makes me just a little better… and a little wiser.

I'm trying to be more bold with my edges. The drawings I see from other artists give tonal shapes sharper edges and look much better than murky fades.

Attempting sharp edges doesn't always work for me in the shadow areas. It's a problem I need to solve. How to make shadow areas crisp and interesting but still look integrated with the whole shadow regions. It's hard with Beorn here because as a Bernese Mountain Dog, his dark areas are so dominant.

The other thing I'm trying to figure out is an answer to the question "How can I make graphite appear almost black?".

I think I've discovered the answer to that question. I take a small bit of graphite powder and mix it with a drop or two of water. In this way, I can use a paint brush and paint in a very dark tone of graphite. I used that method here on Beorn's eyes as one of the last steps in the final image below.

Just a little touch of black in the eyes helps define them as the center of interest.

I'm still working on my technique, and trying to be patient with the progress of each drawing. Also, it's hard to maintain concentration and make good decisions for more than two hours at a time. As a result, each session only lasts that long, then I do something else.

If I were to rate my ability from one to ten, this is a solid 6. I have a lot to learn.

This is the fourth drawing I've done of Beorn. The others are okay, but don't really show him as he looks in our memories. This one captures his look very well I think. And The Missus agrees.

We miss Beorn a lot, and this portrait will hang in a place of honor, keeping his memory alive.

Eventually, I may offer graphite portrait commissions like I do digital paintings. But I need to get much more confident before I put my skills up for sale. In the meantime, my digital portraits (printed on stretched canvas and delivered ready-to-hang) are hot sellers and look great.