Gandalf thoughts about the Shire - watercolor original art (all the process in 15 photos and the story inside:)

I wished to draw Gandalf for more than a month. I was carrying this idea with me, but couldn't start doing it. And yesterday, in late evening I understood that I finally must do it.

Gandalf had another opinion.  He resisted me to the end. First I started making digital sketches, made about ten of than, but neither looked good. I watched references in google, was flipping through the pages of artbooks, but nothing came to my mind.

And then I understood!

Dear Gandalf, I see what you're trying to say! You don't want me to draw you like the character from the movie, you want me to draw you like I imagine!

So I took paper and started sketching from imagination. And failed again! What was wrong?!? I couldn't understand...

And then another thought came to my mind.

OK, OK, I see what you mean! You even don't want to be sketched first, you want me to draw you "alla prima", with mediums that can not be corrected!

So I left my attempts to create a fine sketch first and took ink. And just started drawing, not thinking about if it will be good or bad.

All of a sudden IT WORKED! And GAndalf started to appear. See these blots? They come out when the feather clings the paper. But I didn't care, I made everything as fast as I could, trying to catch the shape.

This is the page from the Hobbit graphic novel, it was lying on my table while I was drawing.  thought I will find some references there, but Gandalf really explained me that I don't need them. Just my hands and head this time.

Dark night was behind him, and I should add the stars. 

It was already dark night in my city too, and my dog was already sleeping on the couch, tired of waiting me to go to bed.

My favorite watercolor listened to me like never before:)

I know you worry about the Shire. You always do.

It was late night. In the Shire, and in my city too. Thank you for watching the story to the end:)

Thank you for watching:)

Love, Inber