... finished the furry feet which attracted sand spurs when running on the dunes near the beach.  She often groomed her feet after a long run around Kennesaw Battlefield, or after digging for chipmunks buried deep beneath  vines of ivy bordering our driveway.  She was part Border Collie, easily trained, preferring to run long distances but never beyond range of my voice to return upon my  command. Take her to a farm and she would try to drive livestock into a group. Take her to the vet and she watched how the examination door opened, then often tried to escape.  Fun memories.

Finished the drawing for Thanksgiving.  Have a happy one, everyone!  Here's wishing happy memories for you and your families.

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This is a question often asked nearing the end of a drawing or painting. An artist can often "overwork" a piece, well after it is finished.  I know from experience.  

In this, I was just about to stop when I got Rosie's face pretty close to my satisfaction and the values suitable and the stroke of the hair following the direction I remembered.  I thought I was finished.

Then, I decided to add detail to the deck floor on which she was sitting.   Now I wonder if I need to do the feet?  Will that take away from her face? Or, should I erase some of the detail of the deck and have the unfinished shape of her paws extend over an imaginary platform?  What am I trying to say to convey feelings in this "portrait" of our special pet and not disrespect?

Time to step away from this piece and give it a break for a week or so - then come back to make adjustments.
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Any suggestions?

I forgot what a treat it was to stroke Rosie's fine hair.  Hope I can do it justice in this drawing. I've pretty well got the shapes, and most of the direction of hair.  Now to begin working with blending eraser and layering the graphite to refine values.  

Over the weekend, I accomplished more work on this sketch over than I expected.  Despite football games and preparation for Winter weather outside, here's the latest progress report.  Rain, then cold arrives soon so I'll probably move forward with this while confined inside, and another drawing in the wings.
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This reference photo was taken sitting on a wooden porch.  I originally thought I'd add porch rails and rocking chair, but Sara says it will distract.  'Afraid I agree.  Hopefully I can erase my reference lines without marring a white background.    

Some of you may remember Rosie, our dog that took up over 18 years of our life.  Sara and I still miss her and talk about her when on walks, at meal time, and other times when she made her presence especially notable.  She's been gone now for about 8 years.

Well, I'm finally getting around to drawing her picture from a photo.  The sketch will be all graphite since she her rich black coat had an especially silky reflective quality.  But her expressive brown eyes stood out from that patch of black, often speaking to us without words.

In drawing any portrait, I find I begin with the eyes.  If I'm satisfied with the eyes, then I can continue. If not, I simply have to put the work down and come back when I'm ready to make another try.  I wonder if that's how God does it.  

Anyway, here is the beginning of my sketch of "the Rose".