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Thursday 19 July 2012

Cali



Callie
by Sharon Whitley the rambling artist
This is Cali - she is Gary's mum's much loved golden retriever who I've painted as a gift for her.  It's always a pressure when you are painting for someone else especially when it's a portrait - and you desperately want them to be pleased with it. Cali is one of those dogs who always has sad looking eyes so I've tried to capture that side of her and she's always lying down!  Don't worry she is a happy dog though! - some dogs are like that aren't they, always looking at you with those doleful eyes!  Gary's mum also has another dog called Charlie who is next on my list to paint. I do enjoy painting and drawing people's pets and have had a few commissions to do them - usually as favours for family and friends - I'll never make a business woman lol!  When I do accept paid commissions there is never any obligation to buy if the customer isn't happy with the result - that sort of takes the pressure off a bit!!   The most important thing for me is to capture their personality and as I've said before I always start with the eyes - the soul of the painting.

Here are a couple of WIPs






Thank you for dropping by - comments are welcome as always - it's always a pleasure to hear from fellow bloggers - and I've figured out how to turn off that annoying word verification thing so you don't have to faff about with it!




45 comments:

  1. I have enjoyed going through your blog, Sharon! Your work is outstanding...thank you for sharing your WIP with us. Callie is absolutely beautiful and he looks like such a gentle dog..I just love how you painted him!!! Congratulations...

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    1. She is a lovely gentle character - thank you for visiting my blog and so glad you like it, thanks for your lovely comments

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  2. So glad to visit your blog. Beautiful paintings.
    Love this portrait of Callie.
    You have captured the character so well. I can she she is a loving dog. I am sure the owners will be overjoyed with this work. I look forward to visiting your blog again. Kind Regards

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    1. Thank you Trevor - I'm getting her mounted and framed tomorrow and she'll be off to her new owners on Sunday who haven't see it yet - just hope they like it! Look forward to seeing you here again...have a lovely weekend

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  3. Sharon this is such a beautiful painting in so many ways. You have captured her, those eyes say it all.. And what a lovely blog you have

    Stephie

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    1. Thank you Stephie, it's so good to see you here - I've been an admirer of your artwork for some time - it's wonderful for me to have such lovely comments from you, really appreciate you dropping by

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  4. Wonderful work Sharon! Callie is beautiful.
    Warm regards.

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    1. Thank you Konstantina, I appreciate you dropping by and commenting, have a lovely day!

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  5. The animals are your especiality, well, but I like so miuch your portraits, well, but the flowers too. Your watercolors are amzing for me. Best regards

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    1. Thank you Eva - I enjoy painting animals more than anything else - and also portraits - and flowers!!! just about anything really, have a lovely day

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  6. Gorgeous portrait! Love the eyes :)

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    1. Thank you - I struggled with the eyes as they were so dark in the ref photo but happy with how they've turned out, I wanted to get that sad doleful look that many dogs have, so glad you like it

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  7. What a lovely dog, just a wonderful expression that totally tells the story. Live the looseness and white of the paper and the way you used it.

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    1. That means a lot coming from you Nelvia, your dog portraits are superb, thank you

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  8. I do not paint portraits often but when I do ( people or animals) also for me, eyes are the key! These eyes are really fantastic,Sharon!I love it!

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    1. I've seen demos where the artist paints the eyes last - I definitely couldn't work that way, they immediately bring the painting to life for me

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  9. Beautiful painting of Callie, Sharon - she is adorable - those eyes are exactly the doleful look that so many golden retrievers display. Gorgeous

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    1. thank you Dawn, getting her mounted and framed tomorrow to go to her new home

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  10. What a great painting, Sharon! The eyes are fantastic! And I enjoyed seeing the steps!

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  11. Un retrato precioso. Desde el primer día cuando vi tu blog me quedé admirada con la cabecera, esos ojos marrones mirándome me impactaron.

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    1. Tina thank you - the title painting is my black labrador Holly

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  12. Hi Sharon, what a fantastic painting is this one of Callie! Her eyes are incredibly beautiful. Great job!!

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    1. Thank you Tito - I struggled with the eyes at first but am happy with the result - I have to get the eyes right before I can continue with the rest of the painting!

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  13. Callie is beautiful, and is painted beautifully, you can be rightly proud of your acquired skills Sharon.

    Best Wishes.

    Pete.

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    1. Thank you Pete - after a bit of a slump I feel I'm getting my confidence back - it certainly helps to get such lovely comments from people.

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  14. I have just had a lovely browse around your wonderful blog.. you have a great talent.

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    1. Hi Andrew - great to see the rambling cameraman visiting the rambling artist lol. Love your photos - thank you for dropping by and leaving such kind comments

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  15. Sharon: has logrado captar una mágica expresión en los ojos de este Perro. Muy hermoso trabajo. Eres una talentosa artista.
    Muchas Felicitaciones.

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  16. Thank you so much Ruben your words mean a lot

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  17. He's lovely. I'll add you to my blog list too!
    Happy Painting.

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    1. Ah thank you Nora - glad you like him - see you around x

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  18. Like you, I must get life in their eyes when I paint an animal and you have certainly got life in Callie's eyes ... they are beautiful. A wonderful portrait Sharon, I am sure Gary's Mum will be over the moon when she sees this!

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    1. Oh yes getting life and character in their eyes makes a painting for me and I always strive to do that so when I get these sort of comments back I'm chuffed to bits!!! We're taking this and the painting of Charlie round tonight - always a bit nerve wracking!

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  19. Sharon, those eyes are amazing and you've certainly captured the doleful expression you were after. Great work.

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    1. Thank you John, she does look rather sad - especially next to the painting of cheeky Charlie!

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  20. Beautifully painted, Sharon! I admire anyone who can paint like this in watercolor!

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    1. Jan - we always admire the way other people paint don't we - I always think of myself as a slapdash painter - no planning or methodology - and a bit hit and miss!

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  21. Your work amazes me. I love it all!

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  22. What a beautiful dog.Your work is wonderful. I saw your comment on my blog and had to drop over. I am so glad I did. What a wonderful blog. I shall be following you and learning from you too.

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  23. Beautiful work...i like the no pressure idea! I submit a sketch for them to approve...your way seems better ;0)

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I love hearing from you, thank you so much for leaving a comment - I will always try to leave a reply and pop over to visit your blog if you have one - although sometimes I may be slower than others, have a wonderful day xx