Thursday, March 28, 2024
animal artworkcat artworkcharcoaldaily sketchgiuseppemewsette

Daily Sketch: Watching, From Above

charcoal sketch of two cats on cream colored paper
“Watching, From Above”, charcoal pencil on cream laid-finish charcoal paper, 6″ x 8.5″ © B.E. Kazmarski

Mewsette and Giuseppe are actually watching Jelly Bean, who is doing nothing. Actually, Bean is sitting behind a small pile of crumpled packing paper on the landing, pretty certain no one can see him. His sister and brother are trying to disabuse him of his misconception. He is not invisible, they are looking right at him. The simple statement and response made via body language last long enough for me to sketch their shapes and outline the dark areas before they look away, look at me, greet each other, and go off to do something else, while I finish their sketch, mostly, from my outlines and visual notes.

Uncertain about the shadows on faces I’ve outlined, I need to try to coax Giuseppe into a similar position and see the white areas I’ve left open are actually the two black cat bald spots right in front of his ears. Mewsette will have none of modeling in the position I want, but she will swat playfully at my charcoal pencil and attempt to bite it while walking in little circles and waving her tail.

And that’s the way it is.


Read more about my Daily Sketches on Daily Images of in The Artist’s Life: Daily Sketches.

Click here to see other daily sketches.


Subscribe to The Creative Cat e-newsletter for specials on exclusively feline-themed art and merchandise.

 


Browse some rescued cats and kittens!


All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop or Fine Art America profile to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.


Inspired by felines you know! Visit Portraits of Animals on Etsy.
Inspired by felines you know! Visit Portraits of Animals on Etsy!

Bernadette

From health and welfare to rescue and adoption stories, advocacy and art, factual articles and fictional stories, "The Creative Cat" offers both visual and verbal education and entertainment about cats for people who love cats, pets and animals of all species.

4 thoughts on “Daily Sketch: Watching, From Above

    • It’s hard to explain, Layla, but I’m sure you know what I mean!

      Reply
  • You are so incredibly talented. Doing the majority of that from memory, with a cat swatting you 🙂 I think you’ll have to try and sketch that

    Reply
    • Susan, there is always a cat swatting me! But one of the skills painting and sketching en plein air, or from life, whether outdoors or in is to be able to hold a good bit of detail in my visual memory and tuck it in a corner where nothing else can disturb it, kind of like remembering a phone number until you get to your phone to dial it or to a pen to write it down. I’m primarily visual anyway so remembering is no great feat but if I’m looking at my cats too much I start to mix new information with the saved stuff. Still tricky! Thank you!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this:
Verified by ExactMetrics