Artists & Illustrators — June 2017

Artists & Illustrators 47

TIPS • ADVICE • IDEAS

SKETCH A CAT

our feline friends and their fascinating

personalities make a great subject for

observational sketches, says patricia WYNNE

The cat facing forward is the view we all learn

to draw first. I picked this example because

the cat’s expression is bemused and

interested. But I also found it interesting

because the artist used a palette containing

colours not often associated with mammals

of any kind – least of all cats. It is not a

detailed work but it has everything needed to

make an engaging feline portrait: focus,

expression, good contrast and personality.

1

The circle divided into four parts is a

classic model for heads of all sorts and is

particularly well suited to a cat face. The

lining up of the ear, eye, and nose is useful.

Using the circle (tilted for this pose), sketch

in the features of the cat’s face.

2

Continue with pencil, adding details

such as the pupils, shapes of the eyes,

ears, and nose, and the direction and

pattern of the cat’s fur.

3

A grey-black watercolour on a small

brush is excellent for adding weight to

the line drawing. Continue to make the lines

in the direction of the fur. I was amazed to

see so much blue-green in the reference

painting. It is my favourite colour and I

added it early.

4

Look at the colours I found. Salmon

pink, earth green, terracotta, lemon

yellow and more blue-green. In coloured

pencil, explore the possibilities of using these

colours for your cat.

5

I used light washes of colour over my

pencil selections. Sometimes you just

have to have faith that the drawing will work.

6

Lastly, use black and brown watercolour

to make tonality and contrast.

This is an edited extract from Cats: Secrets of

Observational Drawing by Patricia Wynne,

published by Rockport Publishers, £12.99.

http://www.quartoknows.com

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sketchbook

Top tip

Try a grey-black

watercolour on a small

brush to add more

body to your

line drawing

A HEAD STUDY OF A TABBY CAT

, LOUIS WAIN, ENGLISH, 1860-1939/PRIVATE COLLECTION

PHOTO © BONHAMS, LONDON, UK/BRIDGEMAN IMAGES

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