Commission complete

I can finally post the drawing I did of two golden labradors now that it has been safely delivered to it's new home.  I love drawing dogs and have done a few pet portraits both in graphite and watercolour including my own black lab Holly whose eyes you can see looking at you every time you open this blog!  It's always a big sigh of relief when the customer is happy with the result - 'you've got them spot on' was the reaction I got to this one - phew!  I'm not one for intricate detail or realism and don't think you need this to capture a likeness or personality. That's not to say that I don't like pet portraits that are photo realistic - I'm in awe of them and the talent and skill that goes into creating them but I know that I could never achieve that sort of detail in my own work, I know my limitations!!

Here's some WIPs for those of you who like WIPs!

I did my first portrait commission last year and a few weeks ago I unexpectedly met the couple I'd done the portrait for and the dogs themselves when we did the Haystacks walk I blogged about recently. The portrait was a birthday present and I was lucky enough to be sent a photo of the framed drawing with the dogs themselves but it was such a surprise and treat to actually meet them all in person.

Roger and Ann Hiley with their drawing of Bethan and Harry

Roger and Ann are keen hill walkers and have a website documenting their walks HERE


To see more pet portraits follow the links below
Portait of Kimmi   
Portrait of Cali
Portrait of Holly




As always your comments are most welcome

Sunshine at last!

Moel Fenlli and Moel Famau taken from Moel Gyw

It was such a treat to wake up to blue skies this morning so before it could start raining again we went for a short walk up to Moel Gyw which is one of my favourite spots on the Southern end of the Clwydian Range. There are usually plenty of buzzards around this area and Gary hauled his 500mm lens up the hill to get some flight shots - so of course no buzzards made an appearance!  In fact no birds at all - plenty of cows though! - nice reference for a painting!

We then went to the NEWA exhibtion again - the 3rd time now that I've been - not only to marvel yet again at the fabulous artwork there but to chat to the demonstrating artists. Yesterday at NEWA I chatted to Julie Nash who paints beautiful acrylic wildlife art and today it was a pleasure to meet Robert Cook again who was demonstrating graphite work. Eric Wilson - an amazing pastel artist was also demonstrating and his work just took my breath away - and the lovely Irene Brierton, a detailed watercolour artist.  Here is a photo Gary candidly took of me chatting to her..

Irene Brierton painting red squirrels

So I came home feeling very inspired to try some different mediums again - I had only used pastels on Daley Rowney pastel paper before and found it a bit scratchy and rough but Eric recommended Clariefontaine pastelmat - really anyone who isn't familiar with his art, take a look at his website here.  Julie Nash had me thinking seriously of trying acrylics again - and as I'm on my last sheet of watercolour paper the acrylics may be coming out sooner than you think!!!  In the meantime, this evening I've started a painting on that last sheet of watercolour paper -  here are some works in progress of Charlie, Cali's friend and Gary's mum's other dog (see last post here) - I desperately need a trip to get some more art supplies!!!

happy with the eyes and the nose  I can move on to the rest of the painting

finishing here for tonight as I could feel myself getting tired and sloppy!!

As always I love to read your comments - they mean so much, thank you

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

You may also like this post about painting pet portraits

and this post of Holly my black lab

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!

Owl Eyes a year on

Owl Eyes
by Sharon Whitley the rambling artist

Well as promised, I've had a go at one of the photos that Gary took of the Eagle Owl from Greenacres on Sunday, a more detailed version than the quick watercolour sketch I did last year.  I didn't really have a plan with this - just started with the eyes as I always do which brings the subject to life for me and then worked my way from there.  I took a few WIPs as I went along

Strawberries? - well it is Wimbledon!

Well it's actually not raining and is a warm and sunny day today - gasp!!  How long it will last I do not know - so a summery post is in order today - and seeing as though Andy Murray has made it to the Wimbledon final tomorrow I think some strawberries are in order - my little tribute and my own little way of wishing him luck - I think he's handled the pressure the public have put on him very well  - having every move scrutinised must be hard and as far as I'm concerned he has nothing to prove but of course would be thrilled for him if he wins so go Andy!!!!  ........ and I hope it doesn't rain in London tomorrow!!!!  Enjoy the strawberries fellow bloggers ... sorry I can't offer the real thing ... yummy!

Strawberries
by Sharon Whitley the Rambling Artist

and here is a work in progress 

Strawberries WIP

see also cherry paintings here.

As always I love to read your comments - and when I figure out how I'm going to turn off that silly verification thingy - I know they're a pain!

Meerkat works in progress

For those of you who like step by steps here are some works in progress of today's post, as always your comments are most welcome.