Siamese Cat on Newspaper - Black and White Pastel / Charcoal

Step 1. Charcoal Block In of Siamese Cat on Newspaper

Step 2. Lay in mid tones and grays in Siamese and newspaper

Working on a new project. I want to try out the pastels some more. Still not sure how I'm going to work this one out. 

Step 3. Start to lift some color out of paper with eraser and
detail the newspaper

The subject is a Siamese Cat, with vividly lit eyes doing what cat's do... crawling into the middle of the newspaper and getting comfortable. I got the idea to start this piece after I put a piece of paper I was measuring for my next piece on the ground (my first mistake), and my cat decided to walk right into the middle, essentially destroying it for professional work (wrinkles and crinkles). 

This is not my cat but the situation reminded me of a photo circa 1947 that I had in one of my cat books. I had been wanting to endeavor it but I am not the most patient what with all the newspaper print. It *will* be interesting, especially since it is French! Work in progress. Will continue to keep updated as I progress.

I toyed with the idea of coloring in the cat. Seal Point Siamese Cats have such beautiful cream coats and creamy brown "points" or darkenings. I started with the blue eyes as my first bit of color, and, well, I kind of stopped there.

A pop of color. Cat eyes are so fun. Starting to detail
the paper and Siamese cat

What do you think? 

Reflections

I started working on the concept of a reflection of this Westie but am struggling with the lack of "physics"in this piece. What I mean, is....you would think, even though this is a highly polished floor he is sitting on (and I am referencing from a photo) that there would be a darkening of the floor and dog, but in actuality it is quite bright and even brighter in some spots rather than darker, even though the floor is of a terra-cotta coloring. 

I think the sun is emblazoning it to make it brighter, rather than making the subject diminutive. I may have to crop out about half of the reflection to not make it such a focal point, though I am enjoying the attempt at creating it. Others have told me I should take out the reflection or darken it...but the photograph tells me otherwise. Should I go with artistic license or take a chance at actual recreation? (my strong point... I don't consider myself a creative artist as much as a good reference artist). I'd love your feedback. I may change the crop and concept. We will see! Thanks for viewing. 

ARTunleashed 2011

Some of the art I am going to be working on will be to benefit First Coast No More Homeless Pets (FCNMHP). How, you ask? By submitting my artwork, framed and ready to hang.

Submit any animal inspired or animal topic piece in any media type for submission to a juried art show and then your piece is auctioned off in a silent auction with the proceeds benefitting the organization.

If you want to join or find out more, check it out http://www.jaxartunleashed.com/

Last year's winning entry (Not my art)

Coming up next.... work in progress. I'll document a piece every 30 minutes as I work on it. You'll be able to see how my brain creates artwork, step by step. Being a left-brained artist is a little different than you may imagine. Think... topography.