More Fast Sketching........

Still using David Rankin's Fast Sketching Techniques I am trying to capture Casper, my blue-point Himalayan cat, as he lolls about in the heat. Casper has cardiomyopathy, and was given six months to live more than eighteen months ago. So far he's in good health. We're popping pills several times a day, and he's fine.

Casper is a true mother's boy, and always sits with me. He's also much easier to draw than my other cat Arabella, because she is black. Both of them are great balls of fluff, so there's not much definition to either of them.

This new way of drawing, where you capture the outline first, then use the black of the pencil to shade, with a paper stump, gives a very different look to my other drawings of the cats. I don't mind the look of it. It's less realistic, but it's a drawing, and it's fun. They roll around, and turn pretty often, trying to catch a passing breeze, so at least it is quick. It's good practice at the technique, and getting up speed to use it on other occasions. It's fun to catch the poses, as well. And it's one form of life drawing.

Here's a little movie of Casper, for a first-hand look at the lack of definition. Both my cats eat with their paws. Arabella uses both paws, and also drinks with her paws.