Drawing a day, contest entry, August 9

I am starting on a piece I intend to enter in the YBA Call to Art Contest for August. The theme is Wildlife and I am going to draw a golden raptor for my entry. Rather than my usual pencil (I've beaten that horse), I am going to try ink. I have already had a successful run at ink drawing previously:



This was done in black and blue ballpoint pen ink on watercolor paper. Ink is cleaner than graphite and I loved the effect...it just takes a little bit longer to do because of the inability to correct mistakes with this medium. I may try pen and ink with nibs...Even more time consuming but I love the effect. Perhaps colored pencil...so many possibilities. Here is what I have so far (also doubles as my drawing for today):



I am still considering pencil. This is a previous eagle ACEO I have completed and sold back in 2006:



My usual method of layering combined with crosshatching helped to create this piece in graphite. I am still strongly geared towards graphite...


I've always been asked why do I choose watercolor paper rather than bristol or more traditional paper used for pencil drawing. The answer is simply that watercolor paper is more conducive to how I choose to draw. I don't blend or smear with my fingers, paper towels, or tortillions. I vary the values based on the pressure used to create the different tones. Bristol board is cleaner for graphite in terms of the mark however the smooth texture just takes something away for me. I use it for colored pencil work. I love that the process shows more with the watercolor paper. The texture allows for an animated type feel to the work, in my opinion. So that's that.