After having so much fun drawing my antelope a couple of days ago, I thought I’d try my hand at another member of the animal kingdom:
“Elephant,” 8 x 10 inches, pen and ink, original available here in my shop
I would like to say that this was a drawing of pure joy and fun, but that would be a lie! Instead, it was a drawing of many ups and downs—wild, abandon, fun from beginning to middle, and then mild panic until the end, as I created some small problems for myself and pondered how to fix them.
I think I’ve said before that my more line and shape (abstract-ish) work is pretty improvisational—I don’t do a ton of planning. This flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants is really fun and free, but you can also easily back yourself into a corner, and there aren’t any take-backs with pen on white paper. I spent the entire morning yesterday on this drawing, and then it stayed in my mind all day as I tried to figure out how to finish it. I finished it in a sleepy mania last night before going to bed, promising myself not to fuss with it anymore.
Ah, perfectionism. Ah, the ego. Today, as I look on it with fresh eyes (without the microscope eye of being in the middle of making), I am satisfied, and as usually happens with something like this, with time I will love this drawing, even if just for the time I put in, and the process of making it. Now, onto the next work—what will I draw today? There’s so much possibility in that question!
What will you make today?
blue bicicletta 
Oh wow, now that is detail! It’s amazing it all fits, hot to get the triangles to form the shape you want. Whew! I’ve been practicing with my dip pen today and totally creating a mess allll over. I just took a break and my hands are all stained no matter how much I scrub…eeek!
Ah Linda, I’ve been there–wet ink gets all over the place! When I use it, I feel like I’ve jumped back a couple of centuries!
Ooooo! This one is beautiful. I love the texture that the triangles create! And the lines on the back of the elephant–it’s as if you made shadows. Yet it’s all triangles.
Love it!
Wow! That is AMAZING Nicole! Gorgeous! I totally understand the backing yourself into a corner, the ups and downs, etc. LOL! Most of my abstract work goes kind of that way as well.
that’s really beautiful, in a different way from your abstract work. the shading is great. i have to say i love this new animal kingdom series!
Elephanterrific!
And as a fun complement:
http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-221.html
Oh, that’s awesome Geoff! You always make me laugh!
Very nice, Nicole! I’m liking this direction a lot. B.
That is incredible. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next. It’s so wonderful to see the progression of your art and to see how you get from one thing to another.
Nicole- this is the most awsome elephant!
This is cool!
oh my gosh — amazing. it’s incredible to think this stuuuuuuunning piece all started with you following this creative urge to draw simple triangles! i love the paths you find.
Nicole this drawing is amazing! I adore it! It looks 3D to me and I can imagine that wonderful elephant walking right off your paper and back into the wild. I think it’s my most favourite of all your pictures!
i am CRAZY IN LOVE with your elephant & also adore your antelope!
how inspiring!!!! xo