Neddy

There is a special joy in capturing a dearly loved animal friend to canvas, especially if they have passed on.

- Lynn Bowman

I am going to paint Neddy at three months old from a favorite photograph, using a sheet from an A3 size canvas pad and Derwent Inktense pencils. As the name suggests, these pencils are ink-based and can be used dry or wet, or both. They are especially interesting to use on canvas because you can build up color with several layers and when needed, you can work off enough unwanted color with water and a stiff bristle brush to go over with another color. This I couldn’t do if I was using a watercolor paper.

My set contains 72 colors and the option of mixing my own. For mixing I use around well plastic palette, dipping the pencil in water and then working it round and round one of the wells until I have the color and consistency I’m looking for. I can then paint the color directly onto the canvas. For larger areas, I use the pencil dry and then go over it with a wet brush. It never ceases to amaze me how this brings out bright vibrant colors. Inktense is non-toxic and dry to a permanent color.

STEP ONE (PREPARATION)

To begin Neddy’s portrait I use a light pencil to draw the basic outline and mark out the placement of important features like eyes, nose, mouth, chest, etc. It is worth spending time getting your drawing just right and saves a few headaches later on.

When I’m happy with the drawing I roll a kneadable eraser over it so the pencil mark is very light, and then spray with a fixative so the pencil won’t blend in with my colors. As Neddy has a lot of white areas and I’m such a messy painter, I put masking fluid on those areas of the canvas I want to keep pristine white.