Cavalier Spaniel Update

I did some more work on the graphite pencil Cavalier Spaniel pet portrait today. Here is Molly after today's update:

ACEO's for sale on Ebay

I have put three ACEOs on ebay for sale, One is the Shetland Pony in graphite that I only did recently and the other two are both close ups of cat's eyes.

I started the two cat ones at 99p to see if the theory of a low start price means the end price is higher! We shall see, more likely is that someone will get a bargain!

Shetland Pony ACEO on ebay - £9.99

Cats Eyes ACEO on Ebay - starting at 99p

Black Cat's eyes ACEO on Ebay - starting at 99p

New Coloured Pencil Portrait

I started a new Pet Portrait today. This is an 8" x 10" Coloured Pencil portrait of a very gorgeous Springer Spaniel, who, as you know by now, are one of my favourite breeds of dog.

Here is the initial outline:

Facebook, Links and Website

Anyone that reads this blog regularly will notice that the design has changed a little. This is because I am in the process of redesigning the website and wanted something vaguely similar in design to the new site. It will change again a little bit but not a lot.

When I changed the blog, I lost all my links so if anyone is interested in swapping animal art related blog links please contact me, my details are on the Laura's Pet Portraits website.

You will also notice the Facebook button in the sidebar. Any blog posts I create automatically go to the Laura's Pet Portraits Facebook wall and the Facebook page is also updated with odd snippets of news and also updates and work in progresses on my art projects - currently a Coloured Pencil painting of an Arabian Horse. All you need to do is click 'Like'!

Pet Portrait Update - Molly

Here is the latest scan of my current Cavalier Spaniel Graphite Pet Portrait, Molly:

Some old ACEOs

I was having a rummage today for some bits (a set of pastel pencils that I didn't find - I think I must've sold them!) and came across a couple of old coloured pencil ACEOs, both of cats eyes:

They will be going on ebay shortly...

Royal Pencils

Was looking through the latest edition of Artists and Illustrators Magazine and came across an advert for the rather luxurious 'Royal Wedding Wooden Box' made by Derwent.

It's been made to celebrate the Royal Wedding and the first one (of 500 being made) is being given to Kate and William as a wedding present (which made me wonder if either of them are artists, and if not, might they sell their unwanted presents on ebay?).

Anyway, it's a maple presentation box filled with over 150 water soluble pencil and blocks from across their fab range. And it has an RRP of £499.99 - I'd better get saving! More info here: http://www.pencils.co.uk/newsitem.aspx?nid=138

A work in progress of a different kind!

I thought I would share some photos of one of my personal work in progresses - my Veg garden. I started it last year but left it very late to plant anything so nothing really grew! So this year I hope to get it right and actually grow something I can eat!

So far I have planted Rhubarb, Strawberries and 4 fruit bushes - Raspberry, Blackberry, Blackcurrant and Recurrants. The fruit bushes won't grow fruit this year but hopefully they will grow some more branches and some leaves as currently they look like sticks stuck in the ground!

The garden is inside an old barn that has its roof removed. This means it's sheltered from the wind and the rabbits.

Here are a few pics:

All dug and ready to be sown

Looking towards the compost heap, strawberries, fruit bushes and rhubarb

And playing about with the Macro setting on the camera - water on a Strawberry leaf!

Pet Portrait Update and Holidays

I have recently been away for a week's holiday down to visit family in Wiltshire and while I was away I visited Marwell Zoological Park. Marwell Zoo have Snow Leopards which have to be my favourite of the Big Cats, so I now have some nice reference photos (courtesy of my Mum because I forgot to take my camera!) for a future drawing of these gorgeous cats.

Since I've been back I've done a bit on my latest Pet Portrait of Molly, the Cavalier Spaniel. Here is the lastest update: