Ooooh. Remind me never to try to draw a jowly dog again! Not unless I have a much better reference photo. I was in over my head and struggled with this one, start to finish.
It’s my neighbor’s birthday tomorrow and my neighbor is a Rottweiler fan. Fortunately she’s also refreshingly frank. So when I give it to her with the request, “Tell me if it’s complete crap and you don’t want it,” she’ll do me the favor of being honest rather than painfully polite. If she says she likes it and wants it, she’ll mean it. (I like that in a person in general, but with art, honesty is a service; it’s the only way I’ll ever learn.)
Anyhow, here it is. 12×9″, graphite pencil and white colored pencil, on the “wrong” side of sand-colored Canson Mi-Tientes paper.
That is a good drawing. I’m sure she’ll love it.
I can see what’s wrong, but wouldn’t know how to artistically fix it. You need to perhaps smooth out the jowl more (not so wrinkled), or pull it (or the head) down further into the neck.
The picture is good, and that is a strong neck. Also, “the eyes have it” – they look like a Rottweiler, steady and alert. (Rottweilers always seem to have a mildly-worried look, as if they forgot where they put their keys; this one has that look, too.)
My first reaction was that the dog’s head is on a man’s neck. I love the face on the dog. 🙂
Keith — When I post these attempts, I often think about you — a real artist. It worries me but also gives me something to aspire to.
Pat — “Rottweilers always seem to have a mildly worried lok, as if they forgot where they put their keys.” LOL! So true.
ML — Yes, the neck isn’t quite right for a dog. I may fix it (it wouldn’t take much), but I also like the way it gives the head an unusual uplift.
The dog looks confident.
A little drooling spittle and you got it!
“A little drooling spittle and you got it!”
Oh damn! I forgot that part. 🙂
Anyhow, Keith was right. She loved it. Took it to the little Friday morning gathering some of the neighbors and their friends have. Showed it around.