30/09: BOBBY - POODLE

My client phoned from Belfast and asked whether I'd be able to draw Bobby, his in-laws' poodle who had just passed away at a ripe old age. He didn't have access to a scanner so sent the refs by post. There are only 4 available pictures and these are the clearest two! Had these been emailed to me I think I would have turned the commission down but for some reason I always find it harder to do so when the client has taken the time and expense to mail the refs (silly I know) :o)


Anyway, these are the refs and I'm working mainly from the second one. I was asked to draw Bobby in Coloured Pencil but have steered them towards pastel which I thought would be easier given the lack of detail in the ref photos - I am struggling though. The support is light grey Clairefontaine Pastelmat. I will email a scan to the clients tonight to see how they feel about it so far. It is very difficult to see Bobby's eyes and also to tell whether his fur has a lot of grey in it or whether this is due to the flash on the camera.






I forgot to take photos in the very early stages and at this point I had completed a lot of the left ear and blocked in some base colours on the face. I have used the photo of a black poodle I drew last year to 'borrow' the eye detail and hope the colour is correct.


A little more progress made here


This is it for today. The client wants Bobby's collar and name tag drawn in but I can't see the tag so, again, will have to rely on the client describing the tag for me. I sprayed the portrait with fixative before photographing the last stage so some of the highlights have disappeared but they can easily be restored tomorrow.




It has been a very overcast gloomy day here and I'm finding it difficult to draw in this poor light (even my daylight bulb/lamp isn't helping). Time to call it a day and get cracking in the kitchen. I found a wonderful recipe for home made spicy tomato soup and we've just finished the last lot I made. We now have another batch of very ripe tomotoes in the greenhouse so I'm going to make more soup and hope it will freeze OK. We have one pumpkin left in the garden and I'm debating whether to use it for roast pumpkin soup - or save it for Halloween (a friend is hosting a Halloween party on 31st) .... decisions, decisions!!


What is really spooky though, is that I had my hair cut yesterday - not just trimmed but cut to a really short bob length ..... every time I look in a mirror (which isn't often these days) I don't recognise the face looking back at me. Still not sure whether I like it though?!

30/09: SIDETRACKED!!

I fully intended to make an early start on the poodle this morning (stage II) but got sidetracked by email messages ..... here it is, 11am and I've got no further than staring at my easel with the ref picture and my portrait to date - not that its a bad thing to take a step back and just compare from a distance (squinting helps I find)!!


I've dealt with all the emails now so NO EXCUSES ... I'll turn Outlook Express off for now so I won't be tempted to look at them as they arrive. So much junk these days.


One thing I've been very pleased to do though is to donate a Gift Voucher as a prize for one of the winners at a Charity Dog show being organised to raise funds for a very worthy cause. I was approached by one of the organisers to see whether I wanted to take a stand at the show but as its in Sussex it is just a little too far away for me. Check out the site www.thanktheforces.com to see what a great job this charity does.
The date of the dog show is actually 20th June 2010 (my birthday co-incidentally) but they have started organising it already and it will be pretty big by all accounts with radio and media coverage.

29/09: BACK FROM HOLIDAY

We arrived back home very late on Saturday evening having had a lovely 3 week break. Sunday was spent ploughing through a mountain of mail and hundreds of emails and sorting myself out ready to start work on my commissions with recharged batteries!


I've closed my order book for 2009 as I have commissions for 8 children (in 3 portraits), 4 dogs, 2 horses and 1 pony to complete. I've recently sold 2 gift vouchers which may be redeemed any time during the next 12 months so I have to allow time in my schedule to cover these as well. Whilst on holiday I studied Alyona Nickelsen's book 'Coloured Pencil Painting Bible' and got really motivated to try some of the techniques she demonstrates .... but that will have to wait, along with all the cat pictures I have lined up to work on since joining the Society of Feline Artists recently. Too many ideas, too little time these days (or am I just badly organised)??


I've started work on a portrait of a black poodle, Bobby, who passed away recently. He has been commissioned by a client from Belfast for his in-laws (Bobby's owners). Unfortunately the reference photos are very poor so I will be liaising closely with the clients to ensure I get the best possible likeness under the circumstances. I forgot to photograph the first stage but will post some progress pictures tomorrow.


I've also spent quite a lot of time working on 'mock-ups' for one of the 3 child portraits. I have an ancient version of Photoshop elements but haven't really learned how to use it yet so tend to stick with Paint Net which I find quite user friendly. I've sent a selection of compositions to the client and I hope tomorrow I'll get her approval for the latest version. This portrait is required for a birthday present in November. The other two child portraits (1 x 2 children and 1 x 3 children) are Christmas presents so I have a little more time to work on those.

09/09: STONE PAINTINGS

A Visitor to the house recently admired my little menagerie of painted stones which I did for fun years ago and which now are scattered round the garden and porch. I'm so used to walking past them every day I don't notice them any more. Anyway, she has contacted me to ask whether I can paint three for her - two based on photos of her deceased cats and one of her daughter's hamster (or it may be a guinea pig - i've forgotten what she said). She wants to place the stones near the graves of her pets in the garden as a memorial. So that will make a nice break from commissioned portraits. Just have to find appropriately shaped stones to work on now. These are a few photos of stones I painted for fun - years ago. The photos don't really do them justice as the stones are varnished and the light reflects off of them.

05/09: STARVING ARTISTS - EDITORS CHOICE

Found out yesterday that my portrait of Gizmo has been made STARVING ARTISTS Editor's Choice for September by Mike Sibley.

http://www.starving-artists.net/index.htm

05/09: WE'RE ON HOLIDAY - YEAHHHHHHHH!

Hubby and I are off to our little house on Fuerteventura (Canaries) today for a very welcome break. We haven't visited since May as I prefer not to be there through the very hottest part of the year (or in School Holiday time)!!. It will be great to catch up with all our friends there. Many have been suffering as a result of the credit crunch and reduced tourism and a lot of bars and restaurants have closed this year although the majority of the failed businesses have been the ones who only cater to the Brits (and we tend not to use them). We don't go abroad to watch soap operas on the big screen or eat 'gut buster' English breakfasts. We like to eat/drink at the places who have a multicultural clientele - and eat local food etc.


So I won't be blogging much for the next few weeks as I'll be reliant on using an internet cafe in town.

Just to get me in the mood I've been looking through a few photos ... wish you were here??


This is one of our favourite beach bars - its a 10 mins walk from our house. We normally end up here at the end of each evening for a nightcap and/or plate of local cheeses. It a beautiful peaceful spot - aptly named 'Serena'


Rush hour on one of the many beautiful sandy beaches!


I love the diverse landscape on this island. Primarily it is volcanic and not very fertile but this makes for some spectacular scenery. Then you have mile upon mile of golden sand blown in from the Sahara and forming fabulous sand dunes (real Lawrence of Arabia stuff)


and here I am with my friend Jenni - scaling one of those huge sand dunes. This was taken on New Years day a couple of years back (and no frost or snow to be seen anywhere)!!

04/09: COUNTDOWN TO HOLIDAY

Had Mum staying with us for a few days this week so I've had to fit work in between entertaining her and showing her the local sights. We took her home yesterday and have spent today manically working through our list of pre-holiday jobs. Think we are just about on top of things now though.

The good news is that Jake and Jack's portraits have been approved and despatched to the clients today. and I had a text from 'engagement' man to say the proposal went well and his girlfried loved the picture. Another happy ending!

I've had 3 new orders placed last week so will close my order book for Christmas. When we get back from holiday I will go to Birmingham for the end of the exhibition to view all the coloured pencil works (including my own three) and then i'll be chained to the drawing board :o)

My pre-christmas tally stands at:
3 dogs
2 horses
8 children (not as bad as it sounds. two groups of 3 children and a double)
I've left a bit of leeway as I've sold 2 portrait gift vouchers (birthday presents) and its possible the recipients will be in touch re. portraits prior to Christmas.

31/08: PLAYING THE WAITING GAME

People often ask how long it takes to complete a portrait ... what can I say?


If I sat down with my pastels and didn't stop for any breaks, I reckon I'd finish a single subject (from a good ref photo) in about 6 - 12 hours depending on the complexity. But its the waiting time that drags things out isn't it?


I'm waiting for final approval from Jake's owner (Border Collie) and for further feedback/instructions/approval from Jack's owner (horse).


I'm also waiting to hear from my client who commissioned the portrait of him and his girlfriend. He collected the portrait at 8am yesterday and was going to propose to her last night. He promised to keep me updated but I haven't heard back ... don't like to text him .. just in case :o(


Anyway, this is an update on Jack the horse. His owner is overseas at the moment but, from memory, she thought his forelock should be 'fluffier' and his mane darker (I hadn't coloured it in the scan I sent to her). She also thought his nostrils were too flared, but I think they look that way in the ref, so I need to wait for her input again.

May as well pour myself a glass of wine whilst waiting .... cheers, m'dears!!

30/08: EXHIBITION ENTRIES

Although its a great honour to have 3 portraits accepted by the jury to be hung at the UKCPS Exhibition next month, I decided to cut costs by mounting/framing the pictures myself. But I've spent days searching for ready made frames the right colour and sizes. I found the two larger (20" x 16") frames late last week and set hubby to work assembling them for me. I then found the 'perfect' frame for the smaller dog picture (coat of many colours). It was only when I'd assembled this one I realised the frame was metal and the exhibition rules stipulate only wooden frames may be used. Panic set in!! I couldn't find a wooden frame I liked. So many frames look like wood but turn out to be plastic .... in the end I made the radical decision to use a frame I had at home and paint the dark wood with silver acrylic to lighten it. The end result isn't quite what I wished for, but I've run out of time ..


I should have photographed these before the glass was in place as I've had to take them from funny angles to reduce glare (and my own reflection in the glass). But this just gives an idea of what the finished articles look like. Now I just have to arrange the courier delivery next week ..

26/08: 'BITTY DAY'

I haven't been idle today, but I've started lots of things and nothing is finished .. you know how it is?

I've done some final tweaking on Jake (Border Collie) but didn't photograph it before we lost daylight so have nothing to send to his owner. I've also made some adjustments to the horse (Jack) as his owner tells me that Jack's forelock was very fluffy and his mane darker than it appears in the photographs. Again, I won't take photographs until tomorrow when I can take advantage of the natural daylight.

I have been working on 'mock ups' for a client who has commissioned a portrait of his three grandchildren for a Christmas Present. I will be working from 3 different references and have spent a few hours trying different compositions. We have now reached agreement about the one to use, so that is in the pipeline - probably for mid/end October now. I am a bit of a technophobe and it takes me a long time to do things like this. I've used Paint Net as I find it fairly easy to understand. I have recently uploaded GIMP which I understand is mean't to be very user friendly, but haven't had time to study it yet. This is a returning client. He originally commissioned a portrait of his daughter's dog for her birthday. His daughter reciprocated with a gift voucher for her dad's birthday - I recently drew his Boxer, Molly and now he and his wife want a triple grandchild portrait drawn ..

and ... I finally got round to picking damsons from the trees in our garden. After 30 minutes I had far too many, so delivered bags full to the elderly neighbours who promise to put them to good use. I painstakingly removed the stones this afternoon as I can't stand fishing them out of the hot jam once cooked! Hubby actually cooked the jam (although I had to provide instructions and a running commentary)!! We've had a little taster and the jam is superb .. slightly tart but that how we like it. If I have time in the next few days I'll pick some more and set him to work again!


Well enough waffling.. it will be back to the drawing board with a vengeance tomorrow.

24/08: JACK - BAY HORSE

This is Jack a handsome chap who has sadly passed away. His owner was the recipient of a birthday gift voucher but she doesn't have any close up/head shots of Jack so I'm working from a photo where he has a rider on board and is wearing a bridle. As a result this is done in a 'looser' style than my normal work and I'm awaiting feedback from my client regarding his colouring etc., He is A3 sized, pastels on sanded paper (Fisher 400)
The photos are taken at various times of day and in different light conditions, the paper is light sand coloured in reality

I've outlined Jack and marked in distinguishing features. As always, I've put the eyes in first to give the portrait some personality from the start. I've started building a base layer of colour using quite a lot of red shades.


More colour is being added and I've introduced some orange/yellow and brown pastel to build up a rich base which will show through the final layers of dark brown and blacks


Ive introduced blues and greys into the muzzle area and blue/grey/brown into Jack's chest area which won't be clearly defined - its there to balance up the pose as the photo of Jack is taken from his front.





Now I've really darkened the portrait and added grey and white highlights to add sheen to Jacks coat. At this stage I will wait to hear from my client whether the colour is correct. In the ref photo the colour is a bit bleached - I'm drawing what I see, but that may not necessarily be accurate.

23/08: Christmas commissions

I have been amazed at the steady flow of commission work I've received this year so far. With all the doom and gloom and publicity about the credit crunch etc., I really didn't expect to be kept in full time work with commissions ... sometimes its really nice to be proved wrong of course :o)

I will be taking a holiday in September and won't be undertaking any commissions for 3 whole weeks - just going to chill out and recharge the batteries ready for the Xmas rush. bliss!


Last year I closed my Xmas order book in early October and already this year I have received orders which will keep me fully booked up through October and November. I was quite excited at first with the double horse, Spaniel, then staffy commissions, as I always prefer the furry subjects :o). then got the double child and 3 child portraits in graphite .... I know I shouldn't really have favourites but I do like the four legged subjects best !! But I'm really not complaining ... I just love to draw!


will post again tomorrow with early pictures of my latest horse commission, but am off now to enjoy a large glass of cold white wine .... cheers !!

23/08: Romantic Engagement!!

Who says romance is dead??

This client asked me to draw a graphite portrait of him and his girlfriend. He asked me to add the engagement ring (he has ordered) to his girlfriend's finger ... and then he plans to display the portrait (which I have framed and mounted) in a shop close to where she lives. He will walk her past the shop en route to the restaurant where he plans to propose ...

unfortunately the ref. photo wasn't the clearest as it was taken on a mobile phone, but this is the end result
hope he gets the outcome he'd like ...... :o)

16/08: Schnauzer finished

Well I put the finishing touches to Molly today and sent scans for approval to the clients. Just heard back that they love it ... so another one done and dusted ... phew! Always a relief to get approval isn't it!

I've put the pastels away and cleaned my work area ready to tackle a couple of graphite commissions next. Amazing how far pastel dust travels :o)

This picture shows the colours more accurately than the close up



My camera has focussed to much on the blue tones in Molly's fur with this close up ... but disappointingly it doesn't really show up all the colours in her eyes - I used yellows, greens, blues and brown in addition to the obvious black and white - to achieve the glassy sheen that schnauzer eyes have. Never mind, I hope you like her -she was such fun to draw.

15/08: UKCPS Exhibition Birmingham

I have been out visiting the 'three old ladies' today - Mum, Mum-in-law who is 91 years young tomorrow, and my retired horse Roxy who is now 24 years young.


Got home to find an email confirming that three of my coloured pencil pictures have been accepted for hanging in the UK Coloured Pencil Society's exhibition in September (Birmingham). This came as a total surprise because they are all practice pieces and I didn't really expect them to be selected by the judges ..... but I'm very happy that they were :o)

This is entitled 'Coat of Many Colours'. It was one of my first coloured pencil drawings on drafting film and for this one I have used a black backing sheet.



This is also coloured pencil on drafting film (using a black backing sheet). Lurch is a rescue vulture who was ill treated by previous owners and has a couple of missing toes. He now rules the roost (literally) at a local wild bird/owl rescue centre and tours the County with a selection of his feathered friends raising funds, and awareness for his sanctuary.


I've called this Victoria's Secret, though her real name is Anya!! I wanted to practice my 'negative drawing' but hadn't realised quite how difficult this would be. I've used only white, grey and blue coloured pencils on black paper

Unfortunately, it has proved to be as difficult to photograph as my graphite drawings. It really does look better 'in the flesh'

13/08: Molly - Miniature Schnauzer

Molly is being drawn in pastel on Fisher 400 paper as a wedding anniversary gift. The clients' three sons (assisted by their Gran) bought their parents a pet portrait gift voucher as an anniversary present.

There was a slight delay in redeeming the voucher as, in an effort to smarten Molly up, the clients had her clipped - and unfortunately, she no longer looked like the Molly they knew and loved!!! So Molly's coat has grown back a little now and I started work on her late yesterday.

I'm having a lot of fun with this portrait - she has a wonderful expression and the coat is a nice challenge!

12/08: Jake (Ground to a halt)!

At times like this I wish my photography skills were better ... I have done more work on Jake but its a very cloudy day here in Whitstable and I just can't get the camera to pick up the subtle blues and mauves I've added to the black fur. But I know the highlights are there :o)


Jake's owner is away on holiday and I won't do any more to the portrait until she has seen it. I'd like to think he is finished ... but time will tell!


Time to move on to the next commission, a gorgeous miniature schnauzer

11/08: Jake - Border Collie (not quite a WIP)!

This is Jake a gorgeous Border Collie. His Mum initially approached me in May enquiring about commissioning a graphite portrait. She has subsequently decided to have the portrait drawn in pastel and specifically asked for it to be on velour.

This should have been a work in progress post but I forgot to take photos in the initial stages. At this point I have used soft pastels on grey velour to map out the areas of black and white coat and have started to add blues and greys to give depth to his facial contours.

I probably won't do any more on this today. When I last had a 'proper job' I worked as Office Manager for a firm of Financial Advisers. They are holding their 20 year anniversary celebration today and the Partners have invited David and myself to attend the 'do' which will be held at 'Great Comp' in Kent. This is a beautiful 17th century Manor house with about 7 acres of beautifully maintained gardens. So I'm hoping the weather will stay kind to us so we can have a wander round the grounds and admire the planting.

If you are interested in Gardens you can read more about Great Comp here :


http://www.greatcompgarden.co.uk/

10/08: Dogs Trust Fun Day - Chestfield

Our local Dogs Trust Centre held their annual Fun Day yesterday - they were soooo lucky with the weather.

There was a fantastic turnout and the dogs were all having a wonderful time making new friends and joining in lots of the activities. It is always fun watching dogs being introduced to the joys of agility training(actually its more fun watching the owners trying to show them what to do - I think we saw more humans jumping fences than dogs!!

These are a few of the dogs I met and will hopefully have the pleasure of drawing in the future (not necessarily from these photos) :

This is Zeus, a Rottweiler x German Shepherd


Lupo & Red (brothers) - Mum was Collie x Whippet and Dad was Greyhound x Old English Sheepdog!

Mum and daughters - 3 beautiful whippets





Kali. Black & tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

10/08: Wing Walkers

I had a busy day yesterday - but not at the drawing board for a change! I went to take a look at the local Dogs Trust Fun Day and met some wonderful characters (and the humans were ok as well)

Then went with friends to the second day of the Regatta festivities on Tankerton slopes. It was a beautiful Summer day and the beachfront was jampacked with people enjoying a traditional fair atmosphere - we had Punch & Judy, donkey rides, yacht races and the most amazing spectacle of wing walking by Team "Guinot" Wing Walkers. Here are a few of the pictures I took - apologies for the quality but these planes moved very quickly and made sudden direction changes (looping the loop etc)