It had been awhile since I sat down to sketch and draw, rather than pick up a sander or a paintbrush. When a best friend of mine, Abby, got pregnant she requested an elephant for Baby Thomas' nursery. As is often the case, if I begin a project and it isn't turning out how I want, I can become moody and put it aside for weeks or months. As was the circumstances with the beginnings of this ele'. I cut down and combined 4 pieces of large sketching paper with the holed edges intact to give it a authentic and original look. For some reason when I sketched out the general shape and outline he looked disproportional and that did it. No thanks, I'll put you away for another day when I have patience to reassess the dimensions.
That baby was coming regardless of my like/dislike of this elephant's proportions. So months later, out it came, and I sat down to shade and give him some depth. As is often the case, darker and more time is better. Needless to say, he turned out to be a favorite finished product and a happy happy gift to offer little Thomas. And we're so glad he's finally arrived!
