Arrrgggh!

For some reason, I'm sure that pencils hate me.

Recently working on another pinup (this time, the stunning Samantha (smcose)) when my 2mm green lead broke. Extend, sharpen, draw, SNAP! Repeat until lead runs out... I hate days like this, it breaks your concentration. Add to this that I've just bought 2 packs of leads (one staedtler blue/green, one staedtler F/HB), and I'm hoping I haven't just made a huge mistake.

Anyhow, managed to finish the nude sketch (clothing comes later in pinups), but my inking as usual, let me down I feel. This time, the sketch was inked using a bayard nib, a no.2 brush, and indian ink. It's better than my previous inks, but still not good enough - into Xara it will go, for final inking.

Have I mentioned how much I love Xara? It's so simple to use, gives great results, and I currently use nothing else. It's especially great for toon like pinups, as you can experiment with differant body shapes, colours etc, and it's all so non-destructive. It's also great for creating a collage as a reference for your sketches.

Next on my shopping list, is "The Wonderful World of Bill Ward, King of the Glamour Girls". This book is huge I tell you, and it's filled to the brim with Bill's wonderful cartoons and sketches. His use of conte crayon is fabulous - so good in fact, that I'm thinking of buying some to try...