This was my dear friend, his name wa Ian. Ian was a sheltie, April 16, 1994 to November 1, 2004. He was truly a gentleman, rare in a human, rarer still in a dog. He loved to be read almost any of the famous speech from Shakespeare. The sound of fireworks startled him, tell him it was the Forth of July, and he looked confused, tell him it was Guy Fawkes Day and he would calm down (you're on the internet, look it up). It was painful to loose him, but I am very glad he was a part of my life.
The drawing is done in silverpoint, it is a old technique that predates graphite. It is drawn with silver wire on prepared paper. The drawing is grey when originally put to paper, but slowly turns a rusty color. Any lines can't be erased or painted over once they go on the paper, you have to work with any mistakes you make.