The reference photo for this friesian cow was taken on a walk to a local farm during the first lockdown in summer 2020. Normally I get my reference photos online and had been struggling to find the perfect image of a cow to draw, but I saw this beauty peeking over the fence and knew immediately that this picture was the one!
This was quite a challenge to draw, as I struggled to get the depth and definition in the face that I wanted, so used one of my oldest tricks for getting out of tough situations – I turned the drawing upside down!
Turning it upside down really helps to freshen things up as it offers a completely different perspective of the drawing and makes it much easier to spot any mistakes that would never have occurred to me. Changing the angle of drawing can help to see it in a new light, and is a huge help when struggling to get going with a piece.
Friesian cows are famous for their black and white markings and high milk production, and got their name as they originate from Friesland in the Netherlands. They’re highly inquisitive animals and will often stop and stare at people when they walk past, but they mean no harm.
Fun fact – a dairy cow that is milking drinks about 30-50 gallons of water and eats about 100 pounds of feed each day!