with the help of Lee J. Ames
As many of my dear readers will know, while my main illustration subject is birds, I love painting fish and other water-based wildlife. And insects. And horses. ANYWAY. I recently treated myself to a late birthday present of a peruse of the World of Books website, and found a Reader’s Digest Butterflies and other Insects and to qualify for free postage, I topped up my order with another Lee J. Ames Draw 50 title, on yes you’ve guessed it, Sea Creatures. I already have one on marine life but this book is a) collaborating with a different artist so the drawings aren’t the same and b) also includes specifically sharks and whales.
I have said before how these books are a brilliant palette cleanser, or if I am feeling a bit short on inspiration for whatever reason. They are also helpful for getting my eye in for looking at shapes within an animal, and although I find it doesn’t help me loosen up – in fact it makes me more pernickety and cross if I get the proportions wrong – it is helpful for learning how to break up an outline to create three dimensions in a drawing. I drew all these in light pencil first and rubbed out the lines before going over in ink using my Pilot parallel calligraphy pen. I think it makes a really nice spread in my sketchbook, and I love using ink and wash.
