THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

25 September 2014

DRAWING FLOSSY


When I worked as a picture researcher at the Hulton Picture Library in London, I had a client who became a good friend, Lily. Lily is now writing a fantastic blog about her Dog's Trust rescue dog Flossy who is often depicted interpreting works of art and literature. Highly recommended: http://www.flossyreads.com/  do have a look. Lily asked me to draw Flossy and I was honoured to do so....here she is. As usual, I started with the eye.....


................a bit more detail on the head............


.........a start on her lovely patches....


...........tummy and legs.........


.............working from front to back......


...I showed Lily at this point and she felt her head wasn't square enough so I had a fiddle.....


............better..........


At that point, the holidays and Great Ormond Street took over my life so she sat, unfinished for a few weeks. When I came back to her, I forgot to take any photos so we jump from half finished to.....er..........finished. Sorry about that. She was such a character to draw; I really enjoyed doing her. thanks Lily! I've been doing a pen drawing of Jack this week which has turned out better than I expected. He's very difficult to do - just a sleek, perfect little thing. I'll show you when he's finished. So, until next time, here's lovely Flossy again. 


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57 comments:

  1. Anonymous25 September 2014 at 20:21

    Em, I love that pic of Flossy. I follow Lily's blog too and you have got her so well. Lovely xx

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  2. rusty duck25 September 2014 at 20:48

    Brilliant. I wish I could draw.

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  3. Anonymous25 September 2014 at 20:56

    Flossie looks like she's wearing Harry Potter's invisibility cloak in a couple of those shots. Well done!

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  4. Terry25 September 2014 at 21:28

    Oh wow! Your picture makes me feel like I know Flossy.

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    1. Em Parkinson26 September 2014 at 12:11

      I do too actually, having gone through the process, although I've never met her either sadly.

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  5. DeniseinVA25 September 2014 at 21:50

    Brilliant and I'm sure Lily must have been thrilled with your drawing of Flossy, she must be a sweet little dog. I think your artwork is fabulous Em.

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    1. Em Parkinson26 September 2014 at 12:11

      Thanks Denise. She does look so sweet doesn't she?

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  6. angryparsnip25 September 2014 at 22:05

    You are such a fabulous artist. I am in awe.
    Flossie is such a sweetheart. What a great name.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Em Parkinson26 September 2014 at 12:11

      I prefer yours Parsnip but that's probably always the way!

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    2. angryparsnip27 September 2014 at 05:09

      We all like what other do but really I freehand with such detail ... I can't do that.
      I draw and paint very flat with shapes. I think because of my eyes I see thing in shapes first.
      If that makes sense.

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    3. Em Parkinson29 September 2014 at 13:46

      Ah but the ability to leave out the detail is a skill in itself. I have to grit my teeth and force myself to leave it alone and agree that it's finished.

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  7. Flossy and Lily25 September 2014 at 22:34

    Ah Em - I LOVE your drawing of Flossy. You have captured her perfectly. I really don't know how you managed to make her just so very very Flossy. I will treasure your portrait of her, and will be framing and hanging it this weekend.
    Thank you so much - you are a wonderful artist. I'm thrilled!
    Lily xxx

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    1. Em Parkinson26 September 2014 at 12:12

      Will you take a picture of her framed? I'd love to see it. xxx

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  8. Chickpea25 September 2014 at 22:44

    That is lovely Em, I love it x

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  9. Amy at love made my home26 September 2014 at 00:04

    Flossy and your drawing are both lovely!!! xx

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  10. Joanne Noragon26 September 2014 at 00:41

    So charming!
    I hope our little Laura develops her skills. She's up to drawing cylinders!

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    1. Em Parkinson26 September 2014 at 12:14

      Cylinders are very difficult so that's great. There's no money in it though Joanne so hope she's a scientist!

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  11. Bridget26 September 2014 at 02:18

    Amazing as ever!

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  12. aromatic26 September 2014 at 03:36

    Your drawings are just such wonderful works of art.... and I love them all!!! xxx

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  13. ChrisJ26 September 2014 at 03:52

    I was doing some drawing while on a cruise ( it was of a dog. A passerby suggested I start with the eyes. Later I found out he was an art teacher at our local community college. So my question is, why start with the eyes? Is there a reason or was it just a coincidence. i have never taken art lessons so I'm wondering if there's a good reason for this tip. Lovely illustration, by the way.

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    1. Em Parkinson26 September 2014 at 12:22

      That's a great question Chris and I've been thinking about it all morning. It's certainly not something I was ever taught. I think so much of an animal's personality is in the face and within that face, the eye is usually the darkest and most focal point. Once the face is done, I find the rest a lot easier and I will often look at the face repeatedly whilst filling in the body. I can't work without doing an outline of the whole thing first and then I go straight in for the head!

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  14. Unknown26 September 2014 at 05:21

    Wow, that was like watching a magician work! I am amazed at how you took a blank piece of paper and like magic turned it into a perfect animal with so much personality! You are very talented!

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  15. ann @ studiohyde26 September 2014 at 08:33

    This is perfect Em, you have done a great piece of work on this cute little dog. I'll pop over to the link and have a look at your friends blog.

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    1. Em Parkinson26 September 2014 at 12:23

      Hope you liked it Ann - I love it....the blog that is.

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  16. Ragged Robin26 September 2014 at 11:29

    Beautiful drawing and fascinating to see the early stages and how the picture builds up. How I wish I could draw!!

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    1. Em Parkinson26 September 2014 at 12:25

      You should have a go at something that no one else would know the details of. I think a lot of people try and draw something like a vase that can look bad with the slightest mistake in its structure. That's why I prefer doing scruffy dogs and cats!

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  17. Jane and Chris26 September 2014 at 13:05

    You are very talented lady! I feel as though I know Flossy from your drawing.
    Jane x

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  18. Melody26 September 2014 at 13:48

    Oh that's just wonderful!! :))))) I have a really hard time making "hair" look like hair when drawing creatures! I almost never draw my Kippy dog ~ as I can't make him look properly scruffy!!
    Thanks for sharing ~ love it!! Came out great!

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    1. Em Parkinson26 September 2014 at 14:21

      That's why I haven't drawn Jack up till now - too smooth for me!

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  19. Willow26 September 2014 at 14:41

    Great job on capturing Flossie's spitting image, aura and all the terrier tidings !

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  20. Willow26 September 2014 at 14:41

    Great job on capturing Flossie's spitting image, aura and all the terrier tidings !

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  21. SeagullSuzie26 September 2014 at 15:08

    Lovely Em, great drawings as ever which capture the animal so well.

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    1. Em Parkinson29 September 2014 at 13:48

      Thank you. I was down your way yesterday but I think I need to be on my own to suggest we meet.....Not sure descending on you with family would be wise!

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    2. SeagullSuzie1 October 2014 at 21:13

      I wouldn't have minded, honest! I'm so close to Totnes now, we must make some time to meet up for a cuppa now the tourists have gone and before the Christmas rush starts...can't believe I've just said the xmas word!

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    3. Em Parkinson2 October 2014 at 17:16

      I'm already eyeing up the Christmas stuff in the lovely local shop that sells the cards of Snippet!

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  22. Virginia27 September 2014 at 02:36

    Wonderful drawing Em. I wanted to give Flossie a chin scratch, having first checked to see how clean she was! A dog of character!

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    1. Em Parkinson29 September 2014 at 13:48

      I think she's probably very clean not living near as much livestock poo as my two!

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  23. thelma27 September 2014 at 09:07

    Flossie coming to life under your pen, lovely drawing Em, I love my two magpies print as well you captured them perfectly.

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    1. Em Parkinson29 September 2014 at 13:49

      So [pleased the magpies have found a good home. I really must frame the original. It's just sitting in a drawer.

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  24. Down by the sea27 September 2014 at 20:51

    A wonderful drawing that looks so like the original! Sarah x

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  25. Gail H. Ragsdale28 September 2014 at 01:20

    Wonderful Em! I love your pen drawings, you always capture the essence of your subject. So glad you are able to do some artwork!

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    1. Em Parkinson29 September 2014 at 13:50

      Me too Gail. The one I started of Jack is sitting waiting to be finished but things keep getting in the way! x

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  26. The Weaver of Grass29 September 2014 at 19:47

    Gosh Em, how I envy you the ability to do that.

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. It's great to read them and I will always try to reply.

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