"Comb-Over" - Chicken Art

"Comb-Over", 4" x 6", Ink on Scratchboard

This is an ink on scratchboard drawing I started as a demo in one of my classes ages ago and I only recently finished it. These demo or "just for me" drawings often languish for a while until I find the time to complete them.

The lovely hen in this drawing is Tootsie; she has passed on, but she belonged to Stacey Lamothe, an artist buddy of mine.


Detail of "Comb-Over"


More Detail of "Comb-Over"

The original drawing is available and I've matted it to fit an 8" x 10" frame. The mat is white with a black core (line around the inside edge). I'll have it on hand an art show on December 4th. If it doesn't sell there, I'm not sure where it will end up next, either at the Auburn Old Town Gallery or one of my on-line shops (Etsy or Bonanza). Of course, if you're interested in purchasing this drawing, please contact me!

Tootsie was the subject of two other pieces:

"Henny Penny" in watercolor on Yupo


"Chicken in Charge" in mixed media
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Materials used for "Comb-Over":
Paris Brand Scratchboard, white - a note on this: I started using this brand when EssDee changed their scratchboard, now the Paris is impossible to find, so I've switched to Ampersand Claybord for my non-commissioned scratchboard work.
Saral Transfer Paper (Graphite) - for transferring the photo to the scratchboard surface.
Koh-I-Noor UltraDraw Ink
Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph Pens
X-Acto Knife with #16 Blade
Watercolor Brushes, no particular brand, rounds & flats, various sizes. I use brushes that I've retired from watercolor use or I buy inexpensive synthetic ones.

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"Madison" Golden Retriever Portrait

Finished yesterday is this ink on scratchboard portrait of the lovely Madison, a very sweet girl who puts up with her much younger rambunctious "brother" Morgan, also a golden retriever. There's a portrait of Morgan in the works too.


"Madison", 8" x 8", ink & ink wash on Essdee scratchboard


The reference photo (the original color version and the same one converted to greyscale):


There's about a half inch more portrait at the bottom than there is photo, I just extended the fur to fill in that gap. There's also some harsh lighting in the photo - more shadow than I'd like and some pretty bright areas. I rectified that when I was working on the portrait. I also made her a little less grey around the muzzle and eyes - turning back the clock a bit.

I didn't scan the entire process on this portrait, but I did take a photo of the early stage, just after I had painted in the ink washes. The darkest areas are full-strength India ink applied with brush and technical pen. All the grey tones are various shades of washes of India ink applied with a brush.


You can see how rough this stage is - since I'm working on scratchboard, I know I'll be able to smooth that all out with subsequent scratching and washes of ink. At this point, I just want the portrait blocked in with the correct shape and tones.

Here are some details of the final portrait so you can see the scratching and ink work.



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Materials used for "Madison":
Essdee Scratchboard - a note on this, the board has changed from the stash that I have, it's thinner and more ivory in color. I don't like it nearly as much and have pretty much stopped using it. The stash that I have is like gold to me now! For non-commissioned scratchboard pieces, I use Ampersand Claybord.
Saral Transfer Paper (Graphite) - for transferring the photo to the scratchboard surface.
Koh-I-Noor UltraDraw Ink
Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph Pens
X-Acto Knife with #16 Blade
Graphite Pencils - Faber Castell 9000 - for adding fine hairs around the edges of the portrait and a few areas within the portrait.
Watercolor Brushes, no particular brand, rounds & flats, various sizes. I use brushes that I've retired from watercolor use or I buy inexpensive synthetic ones.

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