Creating the white strands of the net, in this illustration on the left, was the most difficult thing to achieve.
Trying to draw consistently the scales, fins, tails, eyes and other bits of those big fish in between the spaces of the mesh, so as to retain a ‘see-through’ quality, was not easy.
Making a drawing so that it can be read reasonably clearly is always a challenge. Highlights and shadows to create different atmospheres is something that is always worth exploiting.
The smiling faces of the smug little fish (who have escaped and are purposefully glowing white) is contrasted here with the sloping mouths of the greyer and grumpy big fish who get caught in the net.
In the right hand illustration - the white of the cat’s eyes purposefully stand out in order to create that menacing glare, as well as the white of his muzzle and bottom jaw-line to further highlight his vicious expression.
I wanted the cock’s head and claw to be dark to stand out against the glowing white flagstones. The white of the cock’s eye is drawn to emphasise that doomsday affect, as he comes to realise his imminent demise.
The cat, by the way, was our own pet cat and the cock was our own too. It was humans who finished off the cock rather than the cat, for I have to confess that it was roasted for a family Sunday lunch. Sorry ye vegetarians!