Churchill’s cat

• Subject: Ginger cat
• Medium:Coloured pencil
• Completion Date: March 20, 2004
• Completion Time: 35 hours
• Dimensions: 7'' X 6''
• Background: Shaded

This portrait was inspired by a photograph of a descendant of Sir Winston Churchill’s Marmalade cat.  I have always been fascinated by ginger cats, having owned two myself some years ago.   The animal’s profile shows how close the domestic cat resembles the wild cat in strength and character,  appearing so mystical and enigmatic.

A smooth surfaced cartridge board was used for this portrait which lent itself well to the application of a soft drawing pencil in sanguine.  The soft focus image was achieved by careful blending using a paper stump,  sections of tissue and sharp cut sections of plastic eraser to create highlighted areas.