tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84740480872167347532024-03-05T06:57:27.133+00:00Pencilpix by Sue ClinkerMeanderings of a portrait artist and 'life in general'Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.comBlogger825125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-77137067569026630552022-07-26T19:55:00.006+01:002022-07-26T19:55:26.865+01:00Windows on Wildlife ... some photos of birds visiting the Woodland Pool in Dorset ... July 2022. Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-4286462173423336862022-07-26T18:58:00.001+01:002022-07-26T18:58:18.393+01:00Windows on Wildlife - photography day with Woodland pool (birds) and Harvest Mice. Dorset Well I've not posted anything here for ages. I intended to post details of our 2.5years delayed Safari (thanks to Covid) which took place in January 2022 but somehow haven't got round to it yet. It seems life is very hectic as we all try to get back to a semblance of normality.I still intend to post a retro-account of our fab safari in January 2022 but that is Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-7772349433588022372020-03-05T18:02:00.000+00:002020-03-05T18:02:09.491+00:00My constant refrain seems to be 'I haven't had time to make any new artwork' and this still rings true.
I'm missing deadlines for entry to both local and International shows but I think that's going to be a problem for the foreseeable future with Grand-parenting duties and also all the travelling we're doing now (whilst we're fit enough to get travel insurance).
I ordered some drafting film Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-55031027496568195562020-02-23T15:55:00.000+00:002020-02-23T15:55:28.728+00:0023/02: 3 Months Later! Progress on the CP Portrait.I'm embarrassed at the huge gap between posts. My last post was just before we set off for India on what was probably the most exciting of all our trips to that wonderful country. It took a lot of planning as we were travelling independently and had very specific festivals and locations to visit/experience. It all went according to plan and we had a brilliant Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-21503355157522723672019-10-29T19:18:00.000+00:002019-10-29T19:28:52.967+00:0029/10: Another CP portraitWe've had our two grand-daughters staying here during half term school holidays so that's been full on and given me no time for art or blogging.
We're off to India on Thursday evening so I've been busy going over our itinerary and fine-tuning it - noting lots of places to visit/things to see - time and weather conditions permitting.
We travel totally independently booking our own flights and Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-27709856538339627342019-10-10T18:08:00.003+01:002019-10-10T18:09:59.895+01:0010/10: JUST A QUICKIE - Coloured Pencils on Mount Board
We flew home from Fuerteventura on Tuesday so spent yesterday feeling cold and miserable (as you do after a fabulous trip)
Anyway, I saw a lovely drawing on one of the FB artist pages done on 'toned' paper. So I thought about buying some to try but talked myself out of it again as I can't really justify buying more paper till I've run down existing stocks.
I know I have lots Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-89232325585052162362019-08-26T14:53:00.004+01:002019-08-26T14:53:45.469+01:0026/08: Zebras
I persevered a bit longer with this one although I really am struggling with the surface of this White Pastelmat - its much more 'grainy' than the other colours for some reason and doesn't take pencil very well.
I've resorted to using creamier pencils (Derwent Coloursoft and Prismacolors) to overcome the problems so I will now give it a spray of fixative to prevent the dreaded wax bloom which Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-4693118456308787432019-08-23T22:10:00.001+01:002019-08-23T22:12:51.783+01:0023/08: Not sure about this one
We're going away in a few days time. I've been away from the drawing board for a long time and lost confidence as a result, so I thought it would be a good idea to start a picture that I could finish when I'm back home. Having something halfway done helps overcome that 'can't be bothered' to start something new mood.
I had a photo in mind ... a picture I took on Safari in Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-51083836350980527142019-08-20T11:54:00.000+01:002019-08-20T11:57:05.704+01:0020/08: I made the deadline! 2 wildlife images for Canterbury Art Society Exhibition
Well ... I did it!
2 pictures finished and framed ready for the Canterbury Society of Art's Exhibition this weekend. Deadline for entries is today and I finished framing them this morning ... real seat of pants stuff!
Historically I've submitted portraits (mostly people but some cats/dogs) and have sold several. This is a fairly small show in a Village Hall held annualySue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-52394956720857415382019-08-17T22:56:00.000+01:002019-08-17T22:56:04.194+01:0017/08: Another Wildlife Pic
I thought I'd attempt to get another picture ready for the Bank Holiday exhibition - deadline is Tuesday and we're out all day tomorrow with friends for lunch and then visiting my Mum.
So no pressure then ....
I'm not sure about this one yet - Monday will be make or break decision time when I can add more detail. There are lots more little markings to show on the face and tweaking Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-59732015003873212162019-08-15T18:51:00.002+01:002019-08-15T18:51:48.141+01:0015/08: Leopard finished(?)
This sleeping leopard is one that David and I photographed in Kenya 2 months ago. We have several photos from different angles but the leopard stayed firmly asleep throughout. It was high up in a tree and there were lots of branches/twigs leaves in the background - many of which were casting shadows/areas of bright light on the leopard.
I decided to omit mostSue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-60746541700700963572019-08-14T17:03:00.003+01:002021-06-17T16:44:05.774+01:0014/08: Now for something completely different
My local art Society (Canterbury) will hold a mini exhibition over the August Bank Holiday weekend - just 4 days at a Village Hall. I've been successful with sales in previous years so I thought I'd enter a few pictures.
As its not permitted to enter works which have been exhibited with the Society before (and I can't remember which ones I've submitted over the years) I Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-88705264064456324482019-08-11T17:13:00.000+01:002019-08-11T17:13:39.150+01:0011/11: Boxer/Cross Update
We had a surprise visit from my lovely 'baby' brother yesterday to introduce us to his new lady friend so I didn't get any artwork done till today.
I've stopped now and will leave it to one side for a couple of days before deciding what needs tweaking before I can add whiskers etc.
The main reference photo is small (and pixelates out when enlarged) so I'm working from a few photos for this oneSue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-50848975655211389252019-08-08T18:02:00.003+01:002019-08-08T18:02:45.805+01:0008/08: LABRADOR APPROVED AND START OF NEW PORTRAIT
Yeeay ... just got an email from the owner of the Chocolate Lab who says 'Another Masterpiece, its excellent thank you'
So I'm very chuffed about that and the portrait will be wending its way to my client shortly.
I made a start on the Boxer/Cross dog yesterday and here's the first WIP
I'm working with pastels on light grey Clairefontaine Pastelmat card
I did a bit more work today but Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-8886813187440637082019-08-07T11:49:00.003+01:002019-08-07T23:47:23.380+01:00Back at the drawing Board - at last
With the tragic and unexpected loss of our Son-in-Law last Autumn we've been needed for help with grandchild minding during the school holidays as Daughter is working 4 days per week in London.
We've also had a few days break visiting Yorkshire where I took my entry to the UKCPS Annual International Exhibition (along with pictures from other artists in the South of England who couldn't make theSue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-42253225636474032332019-07-19T13:02:00.001+01:002019-08-07T10:41:47.931+01:0019/07: DOG PORTRAITS - UPDATES
I received a few more photos showing the Golden Retrievers mouth and it seems even when he's 'smiling' he doesn't show much tooth so I've just added a suggestion of a canine.
I've emailed this photo to my client so 'fingers crossed' if its approved I can call it finished and sign it off.
A little more work has been done on the labrador and this is where I'm at this morning:
In good Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-2912265436014653862019-07-15T17:39:00.001+01:002019-07-18T01:38:53.798+01:0015/07: ARTY STUFF - CATCH UP
Well after all the excitement of another wonderful Safari - and the days spent sorting through photos and videos, its now time to get back to the drawing board.
Toby, the cat I did as a 'last minute' coloured pencil drawing submission to the exhibition Jury (UK Coloured Pencil Society Int'l Exhibition) was accepted for hanging in Yorkshire next month. It rather took me by surprise Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-9669618156541388422019-07-09T16:20:00.003+01:002019-07-09T16:20:46.526+01:00
Well, Well ... I didn't expect it to be so easy to upload this many photos to Blogger!!
We returned to Kenya last month and spent 10 nights at 3 different Porini (Gamewatchers) camps. I love the company because they are pioneers in eco-tourism. They combine environmental/wildlife protection with cultural preservation by working with local Maasai communities on conservation projects.
Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-33141705250090314722019-03-22T17:56:00.001+00:002019-08-07T11:52:52.800+01:00TOBY (finished)?
I did a bit more tweaking - and added whiskers and I think I've had enough of Toby now.
He'll sit in the corner of my room for a while before I sign the picture and seal the mount/frame.
with mount
photographed at a bad angle ... but this is the frame he'll be in. I've had the frame/mount hanging around for years so its nice to finally use it.
Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-46638113275016415342019-03-20T10:27:00.001+00:002019-03-22T17:50:50.985+00:0019/3: TOBY - cat in coloured pencil WIP 2
I photographed the progress pics yesterday but didn't have time to upload them to Blogger ... this morning my computer could not read the card and suggested I reformat it ... I did, and lost the photos in the process. So here are more I took this morning. (Got to love computers)!!
I stopped work at this point yesterday as I needed to think about what to do about the Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-73752413537611328612019-03-18T18:52:00.000+00:002019-08-07T11:51:23.728+01:0018/03: Toby - Neighbour's cat in Coloured Pencil on Pastelmat
With the upsets of the last year, and now all the travelling that David (he of the itchy feet) has been organising, I've not really settled back to the drawing board in 2019.
We aren't really going to be here for any length of time till May and so I've got a couple of commissions lined up for then but am still not taking on any new ones (apart from 'returning' clients).
With a bit of 'Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-34133256074236451952019-02-19T15:20:00.001+00:002019-02-19T15:20:44.550+00:0019 FEB: Time to Stop 'Fiddling'
I'm restless ... well we both are really. Bags are packed apart from last minute items and we're trying to stop ourselves going over and over the itinerary, worrying we've made mistakes with hotel/car bookings/timings etc.
I got the coloured pencils out and added several more (lighter) layers to Thierry's skin and blended out some of the harsh lines. That whiled Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-13204047128071152632019-02-18T11:06:00.002+00:002019-02-20T08:46:13.826+00:0018 FEB: Odds & Ends and Last Minute Things!
Just building up to the task of packing cases - not something I enjoy doing and I always leave it till the last possible moment. Decision making is more tricky this time as we'll be travelling in a very humid country and whilst our car and hotels will have aircon we'll be out in the open a lot sightseeing and eating al fresco. There's going to be lots of things going in the Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-52482010950594978412019-02-17T07:04:00.000+00:002019-02-18T11:06:44.799+00:00Getting Ready for 'the Off' ....
We're off to Malaysia and Singapore soon - leaving on Wednesday 20th.
I intend to keep a Blog/diary to record our travels. One or two of our stopovers will be at places with no WiFi so I'll just have to play catch up as and when we're back online.
If you'd like to check in and see what we're up to the link to my Blog is:
https://clinxxv.blogspot.com
Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8474048087216734753.post-84166121519262926582019-02-13T18:48:00.000+00:002019-02-13T18:48:38.770+00:0013/2: WIP Grey Man from Lyon
Managed to get another half day to work on this CP portrait as I'd love to get it finished before the weekend
I added more layers to his hat to darken the grey colour. I then worked more on his skintones and although it may not be obvious there are about 8 more layers of colour laid down (very gently with a sharp pointed pencil).
The great thing about WIP photos is that they Sue Clinkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15582183867336673426noreply@blogger.com6