Black on Grey on White

Stalled blog

2019-01-26T16:59:00.002+01:00

Mea aculpa.
I've stalled my blog!!!!
Foot slipped off the clutch, releasing it too quickly, timing went up the creak and the word flow came to one terrifying standstill, lasting not days, weeks or even months but over a year....

Wondering if the flow will come back or if I will need to bring out the L plates and tread cautiously. I certainly aim to get back in the game and share happenings, changes, behind the scenes and other pencil art related info.
So until then leaving you with a charming little chap and a very new sight to this equine canine dominated blog.

Aloïs ... a tribute drawing

2018-01-08T15:55:00.000+01:00

Big, strong, playful and sadly missed! My pencils were given the mission of ~~portraying~~ immortalising Aloïs in action... "deep water stick fetching"

Aloïs

pencil on paper, 60x44cm

SOLD

Drawing this commission was a fantastic experience. I love the forward movement the slight tilt, shift to the left. Both implying life and the past, both so symbolic and fundamental in a tribute portrait.

Aloïs is no longer but has left without a doubt the biggest paw print on his family's heart.

Long rein ... long time coming

2017-10-10T15:22:00.000+02:00

Success.
Months of pain have been dealt with!
All the demons faced heads on, pencils in hand.
Scribbling through physical pain, soothing the emotional turmoil, relayering confidence.

A new drawing: Long Rein, the result.

Inspiration and a new gritty feeling, the outcome.

Will be interesting to see if 2017 will see another new drawing.

Watch this space: pencils are sharpened.

Long Rein

pencil on paper

2017

Jumping present in this years PAS online show

2017-10-02T13:51:00.003+02:00

Curious to have a peek at some of the best pencil artwork out there?

Excellent ;)

The Pencil Art Society's new 2017 online exhibition has just gone live and showcases a wide spectrum of pencil art.
A nice range of work is on display: from monotone to colour, through still live to surrealistic animal art as well as beautiful black and white portraiture.

One identical element, that of quality craftsmanship and execution runs through the entirety of the selected of artwork. Stoked to be amoung such talent.
Well done to all the winners!!!!

"Jumping"

2016

Graphite on Paper

50x37 cm

Sheona Hamilton-Grant

No more scribbling for now but loads of pixels ...

2017-09-20T20:28:00.000+02:00

As many of you know, the last few month have seen an increase in my photography work and a decrease in my drawings.

Due to health reasons my scribble friends are resting.

Black and white images are however still being created to enjoy and share and reason behind them as powerful as ever.

Lock me in a room alone or hand me a camera, and there’s a mutation.

A serious change in my perception of depth, to be exact in the complexity and profundity of my train of thought; all becomes somewhat intense.

To be blunt: I detest shallow, fear the superficial and run at olympian speed from cosmetic chic.

Authenticity is the only genuine belief guiding my vision.

This is where Black and white comes in.
I see a monotone world where light is everything, where superficiality can find no roots, where emotions are raw.

There’s no hiding, paddling in shallow waters, playing to the tune of superficial commercial stereotyped beauty.
Black and white images engulf you.
The light branding an image within.
Existing only at the surface: never possible

"On the Edge"

Sheona-Ann Photography

2017

Sitting in a darkened room, on the edge of not knowing, believing, understanding.

This happens to all of us.

It’s a dark moment, a lonely moment.

For the outsider looking in a haunting moment mirroring so much of what’s inside of us.

If you are interested in discovering more of my photography work here are a few links to help ;)

Facebook www.facebook.com/SheonaAnnPhoto/

Instagram www.instagram.com/sheona_ann.photo/

or view my website sheona-ann-photography.com

In the frame

2017-03-01T18:02:00.001+01:00

Seriously all it takes is a casual lean against the wall or being simply displayed with a couple of design books (and a watering can ?), artwork doesn't need to be ~~in colour~~ hanging on a wall to look good.

Who knew? You can set the tone with a few alternative display ideas and voila! ... framed drawings can really kick %*§!!!

With a few tricks and magic wand waving, I have been able to prove my wee theory with two of my drawings "Buckled" and "Cornado".

Can you picture them in your home?

"Cornado"

for sale

Equis Art Gallery

"Buckled"

for sale

Equis Art Gallery

P.S: Take advantage of the 20% discount (whole of March) on my work represented at the Equis Art Gallery.

Nifty news

2017-02-16T14:13:00.004+01:00

During the whole of March, I will be the Equis Art Gallery's featured
artist.

The only gallery of it’s kind and Gem of the mid-Hudson Valley – the EQUIS ART GALLERY – is a purveyor of sophisticated artwork work where a white horse is not just white, a black horse is not just black and a beautiful horse is not just pretty!

So very humbling and exciting .

Getting ready for the occasion and off to join in in the festivities are two more drawings:

Going Right and Racing Ready

Racing Ready

pencil on paper

37 x 41 cm

reference: Linda Shantz

Going Right

pencil on paper

43 x 56 cm

reference: Juliet Harrison

Will & Niki

2017-02-06T12:14:00.000+01:00

Mention "big black fluffy Newfoundlands" you can be sure you are referring to cuteness overload :D

This, a big mixed media (graphite and charcoal) drawing of mother and son Newfoundland pooches, was created in stages.

The most important stage: deciphering shapes through bundles of deep black fur. Once the noses, ears and eyes were pin pointed and sketched in: the real scribbling began.

The final stage involved a layer of Nitram charcoal to create more oomph and depth.

William & Nikita

graphite/charcoal on paper

41x50cm

SOLD

Loved discovering and developing a new approach to my work and the best... the unequaled feeling of success!

Next up on the board: equine with a somewhat shorter coat ;)

Canberra is in Germany

2017-01-19T00:00:00.000+01:00

and has been an inspiring muse for my latest equine portrait.
That's right: no capital city but a beautiful bay mare.

Scribbling has begun in earnest again this year and Canberra is the first off the drawing board.

Isn't she gorgeous?

Up next: also dark and also super cute ;)

Canberra

pencil on paper

25x15 cm

SOLD

Rock, the Belgian

2017-01-06T19:47:00.000+01:00

To be more precise Rock is a German cold blood or draught horse with amazing eyes and the latest portrait off my board in time for the festive season.

Big honest kind eyes, smooth velvety nose, massive round cheeks, wavy blond hair... what's not too love.

Drawing this gorgeous equine was a great finish to the year.
2017 has new projects and commissions lined up but none I am sure with this guys ~~special~~ zen aura.

Rock

26x20 cm

pencil on paper

SOLD

Out with old in with the new. WELCOME 2017!

2017-01-01T14:14:00.002+01:00

Shoving 2016 off to the side and bringing 2017 into the limelight.
Energy, creativity, growth and prosperity the lights of choice.
Ready to make 2017 memorable.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A splash of colour on a special muse

2016-10-31T17:39:00.001+01:00

Hurricane sprinkled in colour.
Simply the best way of breathing in beauty, soaking in power,
of falling in love...

The day I went shooting ...

2016-09-26T15:53:00.000+02:00

One of the best parts of being an artist (that works from photos) is collecting new reference material.

It's serious business.

One that I have been doing for quite a while...

Still mystified as to why this wee gang firmly believed I needed extra help :)

The day was a success and some cool perspectives and composition ideas are in the making. Watch this space ...

Early Bird ... drawn

2016-07-23T09:05:00.003+02:00

This wee bird is proud (I can totally relate) and relieved (food on the table tonight).

Pride should be (sporadically) experienced, savoured, shown-off.
Pride is a good (in healthy amounts) it is proof of self-respect.
Pride is the main content of this post.

Yep! feeling very pleased with my second bird study.
A few new boxes have been ticked:

Better rendering of the lay of their feathers
understanding the tilt of the head
learning the insectivore subtleties of their diet
cornering their temperament
depth
(and the best box of all) hesitation dissipated: each stroke knew where to go

Bird study #2 "Early Bird"

Pencil on Paper

23x19 cm

P.S: Postponing my artistic discovery of the bird world for a while, new (featherless) commission on the board.

Before I start, great big thank you to Donna Ridgeway for the use of the her fab swallow photographs.

Bird on a wire

2016-07-14T09:24:00.000+02:00

I was curious (and still am!)

Curious to see how my brain (and pencils) would deal with drawing something so small, so delicate, so elusive.

How it would feel to get lost in feathers as opposed to hair.

How it would feel to render something you are only able to touch with your eyes and heart.

The great news is: these amazing sophisticated little creatures have offered to show me a whole new world... and I have agreed ;)

Watch this space!

Bird study #1

Pencil on Paper

19x26 cm

A la Carte NRW, nothing to do with gourmet eating

2016-06-22T17:07:00.000+02:00

but all to do with art, pencils and horses.

Time and inspiration collided and this black and white image came to life.

Inspiration stuck around until the signature made it onto the paper.

I love this drawing.

Not sure if it's the subtle twist on a classic portrait (rider tightening girth), the look in his eye or all the unfinished edges.

What do you think?

A la Carte NRW

pencil on paper

49x31 cm

Two worlds collide ...

2016-06-01T19:37:00.002+02:00

Time and inspiration.
They've collided and are creating a ~~noise~~ vision!
They are making a mess on paper and it's ending-up looking like ... a horse!?

Wee note to all fellow artists, when they (time and inspiration) come calling at the exact same time.
Knock on the creativity door with a synchronised bang!
Peek through the same window holding hands.
Let them in.
Go with it!
Rejoyce!
They are not playing any kind of joke.
There is no blue moon.
They are, simply (amazingly), in the same room at the same time.
It's an amazing feeling.
A feeling of speed and lightheadedness.
A feeling of good solid fun.

Not finished, but here to prove my thoughts: the first few steps in the still-to-be-titled-big-portrait-of-beautiful-stallion.
More to come :D 'cause I believe miracles can last (well long enough to get this drawing signed!)

In a day

2016-05-18T20:34:00.000+02:00

It was time to reassess just what (art-wise) I could achieve in one-ish sitting.
Seriously, each non commissioned drawing takes me between 80-120 hours (maybe more).
Translated: weeks of work.

The one question that I have ~~not~~ ~~wanted~~ been to scared to ~~answer~~ face but wich I have been asking for a while now, has been tackled and ... answered.

Am I able to produce a wee bit quality in one day?
Can I "perform" without all the time and detail and work and rework and endless thought?
Can I get to the important nitty gritty and feel pleased with the result?
Can I quieten the nagging "you -can-you-only-draw-slowly-and un-sponteneously" voice?

Yes, yes, yes and YES!

Here's the proof: Snaffles.
Upping the anti (no comfort zone for me!), I used new paper (Fabriano), a new medium (Nitram Charcoal) and a new time frame (one day i.e: 6 hours drawing time).
Drank two coffees, pumped up the volume and got cracking...

Super chuffed with the result!
Snaffles is a drawing that won't win any shows or awards but ,to me, it means the world 'cause it simply screams: I CAN!

Snaffles

charcoal on paper

28x30 cm

Grey as in grey stallion

2016-05-12T08:47:00.000+02:00

Sometimes (well actually most of the time!) my mind will ponder and "sit-on" an image, a concept for years, waiting until the time is right.
Nothing different with this drawing. I shot the references back in 2011...

After 5 years of pondering, my pencils have been on active duty for the last 2 weeks, working hard to get this big-new-in-between-commissions-drawing of Cornado NRW (super good German Warmblood show-jumping stallion) out of my head, on and off the board and into the world.

The hard work and the strange facial expressions have paid off!

All of us here in the studio are relaxed and grinning with the sweet sense of a job well done.

Think I'll go and start another one ;)

Grey

40x34 cm

graphite on paper

Vernissage in Bridgehouse Warendorf

2016-04-15T08:57:00.000+02:00

My "Bunte Monochrom" opening last Saturday went really well.
The doors to the beautiful Bridgehouse were opened and the magic began.
Million thank-yous to all for coming and making it such a great success.

Focus was and now isn't on the drawing board!

2016-02-25T08:02:00.000+01:00

One thing I knew: it had to be big, bold and dramatic.
The concept and image had been ~~floating~~ banging around in my mind for a couple of years (constantly drawing even without pencils in hand!)

Daring to crop harshly and spend the better part of a month scribbling a high risk composition was, until a few months ago, way too far out of my comfort zone. With age and maturity there seems to be serious rebirth in my "go get ya!" streak. It's rubbed off on my scribble friends and three weeks ago we got to work.

The result:
"Focus", an image full of power, beauty & silky smooth equine brilliance.
Hope you all like it too ;)

"Focus"

pencil on paper

39x50 cm

Available

Jack Sparrow is a horse

2016-01-26T15:54:00.001+01:00

A classic head portrait.
Sound boring?
Yep, but not if you push the contrast, the size and sprinkle it all over with relevant details.
This guy is gorgeous and was dressed up to the nines for our photoshoot.
You can really tell: he looks a million dollars.

"Jack Sparrow"

Pencil on Paper

36x40 cm

SOLD

2016 thundering in

2016-01-07T09:25:00.000+01:00

2016 is going to be another fast mover, I can feel it.

Strapped in for the ride and grinning in anticipation.

Wishing you all the "bestest" of rides and looking forward to seeing you along the way :D

Pinned to the edge ...

2015-12-17T08:05:00.000+01:00

of my comfort zone.

I went big and warped the rules of composition as much as possible.

I craved for a new angle.

An angle that would emphasise all the strength and power of this amazing horse but also an angle that would defy compositional rules and regulations.

Pinned to the edge was one of my hardest challenges yet.

The knowledge of my subject (we've met over seven times on the drawing board) and the energy he ignites in me kept me smiling and my pencils fervantly scribbling.

The rest was hard, very hard.

The proportions were hard, the dynamics were hard, cracking rules to create drama was hard.

Operating for weeks out of a zone of familiarity, uncomfortably hard.

Stepping back, pencils paused, and calling it done: hard.

Letting it out of the safety of the studio into the world to face reactions: super hard!

One thing though that is in no way hard: endorsing the claim ... pencils rock!

Pinned to the Edge

Pencil on Paper

46x43cm

Wilma the French Bulldog

2015-11-30T12:48:00.003+01:00

After a very enjoyable encounter and "get to know you" drawing sessions, Wilma is off the drawing board and leaving the studio.

Drawing those big honest eyes, getting right into the thick of her facial structures has been an amazing experience. My scribble friends had their work cut out deciphering which way to turn, where to emphasise, what to highlight and what to adjust.

However, I have it on good authority that the challenge was well received by all and they are now lined-up at the board impatiently waiting to get dug into the next one...

Wilma

graphite on paper

26x23cm

p.s: If you would like a more in-depth view into the process, three progress timelapse videos can be viewed on my Youtube channel :)