Latest artwork finished

Here is the last work in progress image and the finished image of my latest piece of artwork. It is 12" x 12" and in graphite pencil. It was meant to be for a local exhibition but due to me not reading information properly now isn't! So, now I'm not sure whether to put it up for sale or keep it, either as an example piece if I ever do a stall at any local shows or maybe even make prints of it.

Anyway, here it is:

And complete...

Title: "A peaceful moment"

Size: 12" x 12"

Medium: Graphite Pencil on Heavyweight Cartridge Paper

Child and Pony update

I have been doing some more work on my graphite drawing of the child and her pony. It's a graphite piece and it's square, which is something new for me - can't believe in all the time drawing I've never done anything square - it measures 12" x 12".

Child and Pony

Started a new drawing today for entering into another local exhibition that is on next month. I had thought about drawing something 'local' but decided that the horses did well last time and it's horse I enjoy drawing, so just to stick with what I enjoy and see what happens.

When I found the reference for this drawing I just couldn't resist - I am hoping my drawing will capture the peacefullness of the photo and the sense of easy companionship between the pony and his young handler.

Here is the initial outline of the drawing taken earlier today, more updates to follow tomorrow...

Completed Pet Portrait - Molly

Molly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, had her pet portrait completed today. I have thoroughly enjoyed drawing her, even with all that gorgeous curly fur on her ears and feet, the photograph was of such a cute pose, it was nice to do something a bit different from the normal head and shoulders pose.

Here is her completed portrait:

Commission: "Molly"

8" x 10"

Graphite Pencil on Heavyweight Cartridge Paper

Website gallery updates

Just a little note to say I have updated both the original art and the pet portrait commissions galleries this evening, adding my most recent group pet portrait of Beth and Holly and adding the two recent Horse drawings I completed to the originals gallery.

Even though both of the originals are sold I thought I would add them anyway as examples of what I do and what might be available in the future, particularly as I'm enjoying equine portraits so much at the moment!

Pet Portrait Update

Just a small update today on Molly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I am aiming to get her portrait completed on Thursday, but here it is so far...

Art Wishlist - Water mixable oil paints

You may remember that learning to paint with new mediums was on my list of things to do for 2011.

I am a self taught artist and have never been able to paint. I don't have the control over a brush that I have over a pencil to create the fine detail that I can create with a graphite or coloured pencil. But I really should have more patience and learn to paint, so this is where the next Wishlist item comes in...

Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Paints - These paints look like and work like conventional oil paints but are mixable with water to thin their consistency and also to wash equipment like brushes. This means that potentially hazardous solvents are necessary. They come in 40 different colours and have their own range of solvents, oils, mediums and varnishes so all oil painting techniques are possible. They also dry quicker than conventional oil paints, with some drying in as quick as two days. For more information, have a look at the Winsor & Newton Website.

I have tried painting with acrylics in the past but didn't get on with them due to the very fast drying time - I just didn't work quickly enough, which is why I like the idea of giving the Water Mixable Oils a try.

My Wishlist - Onyx Pencils

I would imagine that most artists are like me in that they have their favourite mediums, supports, accessories etc but are also often on the lookout for something new to try.

I thought I might share a few of the things that are currently on my arty wishlist. The first one is a set of Derwent Onyx Pencils.

Derwent's website describes them as 'being made from smooth dark graphite, delivering dense, jet black tones, darker than a Graphic 9B'. Derwent Graphics are my graphite pencil of choice and the thought of a pencil I can use to build up layers to make black tones is really interesting. Because graphite isn't black, the darkest tones that can be created may look black but are actually a very dark grey and also the build up of graphite can create a shiny surface in areas of dense shading.

They come in two tones, medium and dark and are sold in a pack with two of each pencil and a sharpener and an eraser.

There is more information as well as some examples on the Derwent Pencils Website.

Pet Portrait Update

Here is an update on the current commission that I am working on, a Cavalier Spaniel in graphite pencil. I did one of her ears today, Spaniel ears always take a long time to do but are very rewarding when they are finished! She will have both her ears done in the next couple of days...

Latest Completed Commission

I completed my latest commission yesterday and after approval from the client, packed it up and put it in the post today. Here is the finished Pet Portrait:

Commission: Holly and Beth

Size: 12" x 16"

Medium: Coloured Pencil

Paper: Heavyweight Cartridge

Coming up I have the graphite pencil commission of Molly, the Cavalier Spaniel to complete and then after that I have some ideas for some drawings I would like to get completed for another local exhibition coming up in August that I would like to enter and see if I can repeat the success of the last one!