Cat Portrait By Thomas Dalsgaard Clausen

If you love cats, sharing makes us purrrr :-)

On Sept. 9, 2014, Thomas Dalsgaard Clausen an architecture student in Denmark decided to embark on an ambitious plan. He wanted to improve his drawing skills by creating and posting one drawing a day at his blog One Drawing Daily and by Sept. 9, 2016, have an exhibition of his work. He reached out to the public offering for free drawings. Our cat community quickly embraced his offer and deluged him with requests for kitty portraits. I couldn’t resist asking and Thomas did a awesome pen and ink portrait of Merlin. I’ve added a quote since it’s Cat Photo Quote Friday. It’s drawing # 455 for Thomas.

As a fellow artist who exchanged paint brushes for a camera years ago, I know how difficult it is to capture the essence of a pet in a drawing. It’s always inspiring to see someone make a bold plan, make it public and follow through. There is no question Thomas has a growing gift for drawing pets (and other subjects) and I look forward to his evolution over the next year. I invite you to follow his blog, like him on Facebook and maybe he’ll make a drawing for you too!

I sent Thomas this image of Merlin as a reference.

Cats are our everyday muse and inspiration and Merlin’s quote fits.

Thomas makes a note about each drawing. About Merlin’s drawing he said, “I did this one in ballpoint pen and india ink. These two always work nicely together. If i were to improve just one thing, I’d probably just focus on the left eye – perhaps if the black part were to the right instead of the left, the “look” would be more focused.”

27 Comments

Penelope

April 26, 2015 at 8:25 PM Reply

We have enjoyed following Thomas’ art work and we were really impressed with his drawing of Merlin. He sure know how to capture personality.
Kisses
Nellie

Austin Towers

April 26, 2015 at 1:39 PM Reply

I think Thomas has definitely got the essence of Merlin!

I hope this posts!!

Austin Towers

April 26, 2015 at 1:39 PM Reply

YAY!! Though it did take a while!!

Cathy Keisha

April 24, 2015 at 10:24 PM Reply

Love his work and especially the drawing of Merlin.

Robin

April 24, 2015 at 8:50 PM Reply

The drawing turned out beautifully! I guess an artist can always see the flaws in their own work, but I would have never criticized it. He is a very talented artist.

Flynn

April 24, 2015 at 7:33 PM Reply

That is a lovely portrait. Thomas is very talented.
The last few days I have had to fill in name email etc whereas before it was auto-filled. At least I don’t get the error message any more.

Brian Frum

April 24, 2015 at 7:29 PM Reply

We always new you were a masterpiece Merlin!!!

Pawesome Cats

April 24, 2015 at 6:32 PM Reply

What an awesome art project and his portrait of Merlin is stunning. Thomas has real talent!

Sweet Purrfections

April 24, 2015 at 3:41 PM Reply

Wonderful piece of artwork

The Swiss Cats

April 24, 2015 at 3:32 PM Reply

Beautiful drawing of Merlin ! Purrs

Sue Brandes

April 24, 2015 at 3:01 PM Reply

Beautiful drawing.

Skeeter and Izzy

April 24, 2015 at 2:34 PM Reply

Maybe there was a force guiding Thomas’s hand when he did the eye. Maybe Merlin’s spirit is a little less focused with his nearing to a passage. It is a beautiful transference of Merlin’s essence to paper. It captures him well.

Luvs
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig & Peanut & Romeo >^..^<