I tell ya, there's nothing like artistic insomnia to make you work on some wacked out stuff. The last project I did when this struck was Cirque du Nuit: The Mummer. It was just so fitting that the next time I got a bout of artistic insomnia, it was the next piece in the Cirque du Nuit line I decided to work on. I was in the mood to do some actual on paper art rather than digital. I had been thinking about getting back into the various types of pastels because it's been some time since I've worked with them. I had gone to Jerry's Art-a-rama a couple of days ago and actually gotten some special paper just for doing some pastel work. So I went digging in the supply closet for the regular pastels. You can really tell I've not used them in a long time. The foam padding in my Conte a Paris box was so old it literally turned to DUST when I touched it. I think I actually picked that particular box up back in the 80's while I was in highschool. 
The pastels looked like they were still usable, so I went ahead and printed out the 3D model I'd made for a reference so I could do a chalk transfer onto the black Colourfix paper I'd chosen for the project. Then I set to work, dusting my studio with pastel dust as I went. Oh, yeah... THAT was why I quit using these.... Seriously, I think I did quit using them because they were pretty messy and I'd end up sneezing in technicolor after I worked with them due to my allergies. 
Anyway, here's the results of a couple hours of insomnia. I was up until around 4 am. I'd say at this point I likely have about five hours into it if you count the time making the 3D reference. It's a long way from finished and it's taking a bit of time because this paper is a bit odd and I'm having to get used to it as I work. It's a bit like working on smooth sandpaper, but it seems to hold the pastel really well. The downside is it tears erasers to shreds if you have to correct a mistake. I'm hoping to work on it a bit more today.
I know the lower part of the pole is screwed up. I can't draw a straight line when I'm wide awake much less when I'm exhaused. This scan is a little bit dark as the scanner's light tends to get eaten by the black a bit. I haven't decided what background I want for him yet. The mane will eventially be ultra-deep black with blue highlights and a touch of white here and there.
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