Mule Deer in Aspen

Looking at fine drawings has always brought me enjoyment, and in the case of some of the great artists such as da Vinci or Rembrandt, I often prefer their drawings to their paintings. I do like to draw, and I am always sketching, but I don't usually treat a drawing as a finished piece. However, the work of the American artist, Paul Calle, who can take a pencil and do a complex scene with vigorous lines and a variety of textures and tones, has inspired me to try this on several occasions.

Mule Deer in Aspen is my major attempt in this direction. I wanted to convey this landscape using large, empty white spaces that darken towards the top, while the dark trees are modulating in the opposite direction. Technically, I found this a particular challenge because I am so used to working with opaque paint, and I can paint light or pale lines over already painted dark areas. But working here with pencil, I had to do all my shading in between the light little twigs. This drawing seemed to be more work than a full-fledged painting, but when it was finished, it gave me a lot of satisfaction.