It's really only one cat, my kitty Pearl, drawn with a bamboo pen and Higgins indigo ink and Higgins brown ink on Stonehenge paper. Operating on the theory that smaller equals quicker (I still have barely begun my Christmas shopping) I used small paper, 5" x 7". With such small paper, your marks are smaller and less muscular and perhaps more precise. Compare these marks to those used in the drawing of Abby below. I like the loose approach better with this type of pen, but these drawings showed me how versatile bamboo and reed pens can be. That's worth knowing.
My friend Katherine Tyrrell of Making a Mark, has asked me to spread the word about a very interesting competition she has going, for the best blogged paintings and drawings of 2007. Please go read about it and nominate your favorite in each medium by midnight tomorrow!! You will then be able to vote among those works nominated and the results will be published on the last day of the year---what fun! I haven't yet participated but I WILL by the deadline tomorrow, Katherine, I promise!
And now, off to do that shopping.
I am just loving how expressive your drawings are. These cats are marvelous.
Posted by: Sherry Thurner | December 28, 2007 at 07:33 PM
Well, thank you! I'm still finding my way with pen and ink, but it's loads of fun. Casey, darling, how many glasses of champagne have you had tonight? ;D. Better than Leonardo?? Ce n'est pas possible! Merry Christmas to you and to everyone else, all the same!
Posted by: Laura | December 24, 2007 at 01:57 PM
These are better than Leonardo's cats! I have a coffee cup with some ink sketches he did of kitties and I look at them every morning - really you've beat him at his own game. I love them, Laura. And have a great Christmas!
Posted by: Casey | December 24, 2007 at 12:55 PM
Wonderful drawings! -Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Posted by: Claudia | December 24, 2007 at 10:55 AM
These are marvelous drawings! I always love the loose, fresh quality of your lines, and the bamboo pen works beautifully with how you draw.
Have a lovely Holiday!
Posted by: Christeen | December 24, 2007 at 09:21 AM
Excellent sketches using the bamboo pen. I've got a couple of them but haven't done much with them. Guess I'll have to give them a try!
Posted by: Donn | December 22, 2007 at 06:23 PM