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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Gizmo the Cat

I couldn't resist...I brought out her inner lion.



If there's anything harder than photographing a black cat it's photographing a pastel or colored pencil piece on a black background. }:( This pencil painting is of Gizmo, my youngest cat who I have tried many times to photograph without success. She's all black and her fur just 'eats' light. She hates the camera and usually scowls when I point it in her direction but I got lucky the other night and managed to snap a halfway decent pose that I felt I could work with. I posted earlier, then took it down because I noticed the perspective was off on the flooring in the background. After correcting the problem I can NOT get another acceptable photo of this piece so I'm posting what I have, warts and all. If I can get an acceptable photo later I will repost.

This is done on black Artagain with Prismacolor colored pencils.

9 comments:

Jeanette Jobson said...

Fabulous piece of Gizmo! And I love the lion shadow, what a touch of genius!!

I understand about photographing anything on black paper. I have found that using the TV setting on my SLR camera works pretty well for cutting down glare.

RH Carpenter said...

LOL! Love this! You don't see it at first and it's a wonderful surprise.

Billie Crain said...

Thanks, Jeanette.:) It's been quite a struggle to get a photo of Giz. I'll try to get a better shot of the painting today. I think it was just too gloomy yesterday. I did try the TV setting(I tried everything!). Do you spray your CP pieces to cut down on the waxy glare before photographing? It's been so long since I photographed a CP piece I can't remember how I did it.:(

Billie Crain said...

Thanks, RH.:D

Janet Belich said...

What fun Billie !! I LOVE the "inner lion" ! I have 2 black kitties but they are camera hogs. I've always wondered "Where would one beging to paint a black cat?" I haven't been blod enough yet ! Nice job !

Billie Crain said...

I got the idea of using black paper from Jeanette Jobson, Janet. Wow...that's a lot of 'J's' in one sentence.;)

Gizmo is awful to photograph.:( Most of her photos come out looking like a black blob with big wicked eyes staring out. You're lucky your cats like cameras.

Diana said...

Love the lion version and the way Gizmo is giving you the look like "what's she up to". Great piece.

Billie Crain said...

I caught her totally off guard, Diana! No time to scowl. heehee

Billie Crain said...

Welcome to my blog SKIZO and thank you for your comment.:) I took a peek at your work and I love your abstract portraits!