Thanks Terri, I really appreciate your comments, I always find them useful! I will definitely be putting in some shadows. and as far as I can make out the light is coming from the left hand side. As you can see, from the photo, it was taken inside with Max standing on a terrazzo type floor which is almost the same colour as he is 
This had me stumped for quite a while but I finally decided to invent a coloured background that would allow his light fur to stand out. Because Max lives very close to the beach and loves spending time there, I thought these colours might convey a beachy vibe… maybe…. and I’ll have to guess the shadows on the ground. So lots of guesswork 
I’ll post some progress photos although I’m going on holiday toward the end of April for a couple of months and I don’t think I’ll be finished before then.
Cathy
Thanks Elina for your kind remarks!
And I especially love your black panther, he’s beautiful 
Cathy
Hi Cathy. I think the primary light is from windows on the right. Look at the strong highlight on the forehead and cheek on the right side of the photo. Also see how much darker the side of the dog is compared to the top of its back. There may be additional light sources which are making this difficult to read.
Terri
Thanks Terri, I think you’re right. I agree the lightest part is definitely on the RHS and the room is very light with large floor to ceiling windows on at least two sides. But not to worry, I’ll sort it out. Thanks again for your help and interest.
Unlike most of you all, I have a really difficult time telling values in color unless I compare my reference and drawings side by side turning them to black and white. I do this every time.
And thank you! The panther drawing needed time. I worked on it for round about 9 weeks. Often just observing and just draw a bit… Every piece function in a different way… For me 
@robichon Oh, happy to read you feel fine again❤️
Gee thanks Sonia for taking the time to help with this piece, it’s very kind of you. I actually have done this with other pieces and found it really helpful but I hadn’t got around to doing it with this. Looking at your photos, I think I’m getting the lights and darks in the right places. Another thing I do is take a photo after each session so I can look at it and compare it with the original.
Cathy
I’ve seen your work and is amazing. My apologies for using your drawing as an example, I was too lazy to dig up one of mine from my packed iphone photo library. Like you said before, you’ll get it figured out and work it according to your own process.
I can’t wait to see the finished piece.
Sonia Alonzo
Hi Sonia -
It looks like Matt has taught us well.
Terri w2Rs
Oh no don’t apologise Sonia, it’s absolutely fine, I’m glad you used my photo… I’m very relaxed and comfortable in this lovely supportive community Matt has created.
Cathy
Terri w2r @robichon ,
Quick question. I can’t find the post where you talk about your printer. I am looking for a new printer and saw one epson at Sam’s club today. Would you mind re sharing which printer you have?
Sonia Alonzo
Hi Sonia @Meme5
I sent you a detailed text reply. But if others want the answer, I have 3 EPSON printers.
The Sure Color SC-P700 is a very high-quality photo printer that will print paper that is up to 13"wide (it’s called wide-format). Printing is all it will do. No copy & no scanning capabilities. I mainly use this for nice glossy photos, and 12x12 digital scrapbook pages. It’s also nice for printing larger photo references for my artwork.
The WorkForce Pro WF-7820 is my everyday combo printer, scanner, copy and fax machine. It can do wide-format (13"w x 19"long) printing one at a time from a back paper feed tray. It’s a great scanner because the copy and/or scanning bed has a maximum size of 11" x 17".
Our least expensive little printer / copy / scanner is an Eco Tank ET-2800. This one is fine for most people and the Eco Tank means you can “refill” the ink and can save a lot of money (because you are not buying cartridges that get thrown away when the ink has been used up). This uses just standard 8-1/2" x 11" as the paper size. I have never tried printing photos on it.
Epson.com is the website for detailed specifications and pricing. You can order directly from Epson, and when they ship they are packaged really well. All three of these printers can be set-up as wireless. Epson has many many more printer options available.
Terri w2Rs
Sketch of the day from Gettin’ Sketchy. Vulture on drawing paper with charcoal; only used charcoal pencils, I don’t carry vine charcoal in my backpack anymore.
Hi Sonia -
Nicely done.
Terri
Terri w2r @robichon
Thank you for all this informative post! Very helpful to make a more educated choice. I currently own a cheap inkjet. You get what you paid for at least that’s my experience. The ink by mail refill service was such a hassle. The papers I print are subpar, faded, inaccurate color, etc. with all the ink cartridges I’ve gotten over time, I could’ve bought a nice printer/copier.
Sonia Alonzo no r
Hi Sonia -
Feel free to reach out to me with any more questions. I’m happy to help.
Terri
@Meme5 Sonia, unbelievable 
so cool this sketch!
Great sense of motion in this. Well done.