Tracing Example

I decided to show you how I trace and paint a cat’s eye.  This is from Audra Timas at PMP “Ema”.  First I print out a black and white version of the photograph.  I have found that if you take the element of color out of the equation it is easier to see where the value changes of light a dark are.  I still have to use the color reference when I paint but at this point it’s about tracing.
I put down a sheet of Yupo Paper, tape the black and white image on top and slide carbon paper between.

I draw a line every time the light/dark changes. I use a green pen so know where I have traced and where I haven’t.

 

Here’s the tracing on the Yupo.  I didn’t get everything but there as much as I found at the time. (sorry for the shadow)

(Click to enlarge)

 
The next step is to paint the eye.  I hold my iPad with the image on in close by so I can try to replicate the colors I see in the picture.  I used bottles of ink, markers, pens and the magic touch of the Chameleon blending pen.

 

Here is just the eye of the reference photo.  The painting will look much better when there is fur around the eye.