On to the Sheep

6B pencil, white China marker and watercolor on tan Strathmore 400 series paper.

Decided to change fair animals, but stick with the same process.  This sheep, in profile, began with a pencil sketch, which is most visible in the upper left hand corner.  I am also trying not to erase at all - afterall, these are designed to be sketches

Addition of more white and black India ink using the Pentel Pocket pen.

....still moving quickly AND, for the most part, satisfied with the results.....

Addition of background watercolor paint.

I quickly washed in two different tones of purple into the background.  I like the way it diminished the appearance of the pencil lines in the upper left without erasing - if you look carefully, they are still visible, but this technique has merit for later work.....needs to be in the category of, "...note to self..."

This is also a good reminder that technique and strokes also matter a lot.  The texture of hair on the top of this sheep's head is very "sheep-like," but the texture on the muzzle and down the neck is very dog-like.  The beauty of China pencil is it's speed and water-resistance.  The down-side is its' unforgiving characteristics.  I suppose I could go in with a single edge razor blade and scrape off the white and try again - hmmmm, kinda loses the "quick" part of sketch, doesn't it?