Erin O'Toole

The "Color" Black

Many artist’s are afraid to use the color black. But many of the dogs and horses I enjoy painting are black. The secret is to use warm and cool blacks next to each other. The combination of warm and cool blacks makes the ”color” black vibrate and look alive.

To mix warm and cool blacks use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna combinations. I used cool blacks in some parts and warm blacks in others on this horse. His head is Holbein's Peach Black. I wanted the his head to come forward on the page.

Holbein’s Peach Black mixes well and it not too opaque. Let the black mixtures dry before adjusting, dark colors often dry lighter than expected. A little bit of white paper reads as highlights and sparkles on a smooth, shiny animal.

Drawing on Emotion

Strong emotions often foster fine drawings. Similar to the way you can remember every moment of a special day or a startling accident, an emotional response enables you to remember and draw something well. A friend of mine was inspired to draw his new dog. He had not drawn in years but the experience of a new, live creature in the house enticed him to explore the dog’s essence on paper.

I try to be objective in my drawing, seeking to draw things that can be recorded with line and color. I can’t really draw character traits like loyalty, courage and affection. Those are things to write about.

This dog needed a home, but I could not keep him. I knew might not see him again and set about sketching him. It might have been the urgency; it might have been the emotional attachment we had within a moment or two of meeting. The drawing has special qualities I think would not exist if I wasn't drawn to this creature in such an special way.