How do you start a drawing?

I start a drawing by choosing my subject first. I look for a subject that not only appeals to me emotionally, but I look at the light, tones, shadows and textures of the subject, which appeals to the artist in me.

I then research my subject and lay the drawing out with pencil. I usually use a soft lead pencil so it will erase easily. To not lay out the drawing would be nothing more than doing a pen and ink sketch.

Pen and ink, as a medium, is not very forgiving. One mistake and you might as well start over. That could be a lot of time wasted, especially if you work to deadlines. I have made mistakes with the ink, but usually the kind I can incorporate into the drawing.

Once I have completed the drawing, I will go back in and erase all pencil lines.

What kind of pens do I use?

What type of pens do I use?

I have tried many different kinds of pens and brushes to do my artwork. At present, I prefer two specific kinds of pens. One of them is Micron and can be purchased at most any craft store or good art supply store. The other brand of pen is the Copic Multiliner SP. I purchase those on line at http://www.dickblick.com/.

The Copic pens come in various line weights and I can purchase the nibs and ink re-fills. Micron does not offer the ink re-fills and nibs for their pens.

For my type of drawing, I prefer the finer to finest line of pen and the one I like the most is the Copic .03 pen.
With a Micron pen, I have found that when it starts to go dry it will lay down a finer and finer line until the ink is completely gone.

Over the last couple of years, I have been encouraged to add a touch of color to some of my artwork. When I feel a particular piece of art will be enhanced by color, I will typically use watercolor pencils. I have found that it’s best to make copies of the completed pen and ink drawing and work with the watercolor pencils on the copies until I get the effect that I want. Only then will I put the color on the original piece of artwork.

I have tried many different brushes and have found that whenever I add color or need to use some sort of brush with my ink, I prefer a small round or flat brush so that it will get into those fine small areas. Generally speaking, there is not much brushwork used in creating a finished piece.

The Civil War piece I am posting is all pen and ink. A Micron pen was used for the red in the flag.

The Magnolia is pen and ink and watercolor pencils.

Can you see the differece?

 

Q&A

When we do booth shows, most people that visit our booth have lots of questions about my artwork.
Typically, they all ask the same questions so I decided to take a few days and answer some of their questions through blogging. 

What kind of drawing is that? Really?
At the very first booth show we participated in, an older gentleman studied the original drawing of the cowboy and wanted to know if it was hand stitched.
No, it’s not stitch work. It’s not pointillism either, although there may be a small amount incorporated in some of the drawings, but never a whole drawing done with dots.
I’m also asked quite frequently if my drawings are computer generated.
Never! ALL of my work is done by hand.
Because of the detail in my work, I have to use photographic references. 

Everone asks how I get the lines so straight.
It comes with lots and lots of practice. I've been drawing for more than fifty years. That's a lot of lines!

My drawings are based on the crosshatching technique. It is a style of drawing that suits me, given my extensive drafting and cartooning background. I enjoy laying down lots of short straight little lines. A lot of work can be covered in a very short time. As I’ve said, I put a lot of detail into my drawings and this is the ideal technique in which to accomplish that.

Note cards and t-shirts! Oh My!!

As I previously mentioned, we offer note card packages of every image that is on our web-site. The price of each package is $15.00.

We have some of my images on t-shirts. Most of the shirts are made by Gilden and are good quality shirts. Each t-shirt is priced at $18.00.

Below, you will find a picture of my elk t-shirt. The color of the shirt is khaki and the image is on the back of the shirt. On the front, it will say Shafranski Art on the left.

If you would like to purchase either, please contact us through our website.

Here is another painted ornament by Sandra Francis. Please visit her on her Facebook page and let her know what you think!

I was happy to hear about a good friend of ours FINALLY creating his own blog. Jeffrey, from JWall's Creations, does some really great things with wood paintings and leather crafts. Please stop by his blog and check him out!

Second New Buffalo Drawing!

Here is the second new buffalo drawing I completed last week-end.

This drawing is called Prairie Majesty and the actual size of the drawing is 8" x 8".
The price of this original is $250.00.

As I previosly stateed, we offer signed and numbered limited edition prints and note cards of all of my images. The print of Prairie Majesty is matted in black and ready for a standard 11x14 frame.
The price of this print is $25.00.

Each pack of note cards contains six cards and seven envelopes. The price of each pack is $15.00. You can also choose six images of my artwork to create your own note card package!

Visit us on our website, Etsy  or Artfire to purchase prints.

Please check out the painted ornaments of our good friend, Sandra Francis.
She is busy painting and trying to get ready to start shows for the 2011 season.
She does some really great work on ornaments. Go to her facebook page and let her know what you think.

A New Drawing!!!!

Here is one of two new drawings I completed last week-end.

Both of them are of a single buffalo and are not as detailed as most of my artwork is.

This one is called Prairie Grazer and the actual size of the drawing is 9" x 7".
The price of this original is $250.00.

We offer signed and numbered limited edition prints and note cards of all of my images. The print of Prairie Grazer is matted in black and ready for a standard 11x14 frame.
The price of the print is $25.00.

Each pack of note cards contains six cards and seven envelopes. The price of each pack is $15.00. You can also choose six images of my artwork to create your own note card package!

Visit us on our website, Etsy  or Artfire to purchase prints.

Another Monday!

I have a new artist I'd like for you to check out. This guy lives in Seattle, WA and is a spray paint artist. I've seen a good bit of this type of art and he is one of the best I've seen using this medium.

His name is Joseph Francis but he goes by the name of the Art Surgeon.

Check him out on facebook and let me know what you think.