Working on My Drawing of “Juneau in Wild Sunflowers”

Posted on by Julia

November 21, 2025

The last couple of days (November 20 and 21), have been rainy and foggy.

With all the rain, there wasn’t anything I could do in the yard.

I was happy to work on my drawing “Juneau in Wild Sunflowers.”

Here’s the stopping point from Thursday (November 20).

Here’s the stopping point from today.

I have to do some more work on Juneau’s snout and right eye. I may change up her whiskers.

I thought you might enjoy seeing my set up.

Erasers, Smudge Stick, Pencils, and Pencil Sharpener

On the left side, I keep two erasers. One for erasing large sections and the kneaded eraser to deal with fine details. I can shape the kneaded eraser into various shapes to get pinpoint accuracy.

Next, I have my smudge stick. It allows me to blend and apply graphite to the drawing.

Then, I have my pencils. They start from the lightest (hardest) pencils on the left to the darkest pencils (softest) on the right. This ordering allows me to quickly find the pencil I want. Often, when drawing, I’ll have the pencil I am drawing with in my right hand and my smudge stick plus my kneaded eraser in my left hand. It allows me to switch out quickly. When I am switching between two hardnesses of pencils, I’ll keep one in my left hand with the kneaded eraser.

Finally, I have my pencil sharpener. My pencils need to be frequently sharpened. A sharp pencil lead lets me make fine lines.

While drawing, I rest my hand or wrist on the drafting T-square to prevent oils from damaging the drawing. It also helps prevent inadvertently smudging the picture. I’ve had my T-square since I took drafting in college.

Early on, I used regular paper. Over time, that paper yellowed. I learned my lesson and make sure I purchase acid-free paper. It doesn’t yellow. I make certain the matting is acid-free as well. If it isn’t, it will eventually destroy the paper edge of the drawing.

21 thoughts on “Working on My Drawing of “Juneau in Wild Sunflowers””

  1. It is interesting to see your process! Some people work lightest to darkest, some from inside to outside. I don’t think I’ve known anyone to work left to right before.

    I used to get laughed at for sticking my kneaded eraser to myself (to use body heat and moisture to keep it pliable). Often it would show up adhered to my jaw. 😂

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    1. I developed this process of working left to right after smearing some works and having to redo parts of them. I also work top down on small pictures.

      I also do pen and ink and that can get really messy and I would get ink on my sleeves.

      I hold my kneaded eraser to keep it in my left hand to keep it soft and pliable. I never thought of sticking it to myself. 🤔

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    1. Thank you. I wouldn’t do the same for painting or pastels since I would use my easel. Many years ago, my father-in-law made an easel for me. I haven’t used it in a while since I been focused on my pencil work.

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  4. As someone who has yet to satisfactorily draw stick figures, let me ask a dumb question. How much time do you think you will have invested in this drawing from start to finish? Just curious. It’s coming along very well.

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      1. WP was acting up on me a few days ago. I hope they get it resolved soon. It is so annoying when it doesn’t work.

        I voted on your poll! I was impressed that you put together a poll. Is it a block?

        Like

      2. My mother-in-law found it at a fair and had them engrave my name on it. I think the flowers were already engraved on it. It was just the right size. I really wish I knew what happened to it.

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Published by Julia