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August 26, 2008
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:iconbigcatdesigns:
This piece is called "Upon Closer Examination" (aka Big Head Fred). This was based on a photo of a friends big ole cat. One of my favorites!
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:iconcharligalphotography:
~charligalphotography Apr 19, 2010  Professional Photographer
That fur is amazingly lifelike. Great work.
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:iconwicam007:
~wicam007 Feb 20, 2009
How on earth do you keep the fur looking like FUR?! Please....=3
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:iconbigcatdesigns:
*bigcatdesigns Feb 21, 2009  Professional Traditional Artist
I do a lot of layers. Usually I start with a medium value, on this piece a medium cool gray. Then I build up from there, going back and forth from light to dark colors using a very light hand. Generally there are 10-15 layers of color. That way you can see the undercoat and it looks more like fur.

I have some examples on my website journal showing works in progress. It may show a bit more how its done.

[link]
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:iconwicam007:
~wicam007 Feb 23, 2009
there's no wip's for realistic cats, though... so do you do this same technique for all your cats? And do you go over the whole body with the medium value before you go to the others, or just do patches at a time? Sorry for all the questions; I just wanna learn from a master. =)
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:iconbigcatdesigns:
*bigcatdesigns Feb 23, 2009  Professional Traditional Artist
I usually start with a medium value right around the whole piece. I always focus on the eyes and the muzzle first (because if I mess those up, there is no going back).

My characters and realistic cats are done in the same manner.

I used to only do realistic, so I guess that's why I do everything the same way.

If I am working from a photo, I sometimes get a piece of paper and cut a tiny hole in the center. That way I can really see what's going on in a particular area (like color or fur direction).

Do you ever go on WetCanvas.com?. On their colored pencil forum they have a lot of WIPs with animals. Some of the best colored pencil artists around are on those forums.
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:iconwicam007:
~wicam007 Feb 26, 2009
I've never heard of wetcanvas...but I'm definitely going to go check it out now! Thanks for all your tips~
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:iconturn--to-paige:
~Turn--to-Paige Aug 30, 2008
Wow.. each individual hair..
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:iconturn--to-paige:
~Turn--to-Paige Aug 30, 2008
This is really technically beautiful. I wish I were as skilled at colored pencils as you are.
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:iconbigcatdesigns:
*bigcatdesigns Aug 30, 2008  Professional Traditional Artist
Thank you. I have been working primarily in colored pencil since high school... Ummm... about 20 years!!! My teacher was really skilled at them, never taught it, but inspired us.
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:iconturn--to-paige:
~Turn--to-Paige Aug 30, 2008
It's so wonderful to have inspiring teachers.
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