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.

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!

Latest Pet Portrait

Here is a work in progress from a current coloured pencil commission. It is a 12" x 16" pet portrait and the two gorgeous subjects are Beth and Holly.

Exhibition Art

I mentioned a little while ago that I was entering some art into a local Art and Craft Exhibition. Well, in my usual disorganised fashion I left everything until the last minute but managed to complete, frame and drop off two drawings this evening. They are both of horses - here they are:

'Out of the Shadows'

12" x 10"

Coloured Pencil (Derwent Coloursoft) on Heavyweight Cartridge Paper

And:



'Are you looking at me?'

12" x 16"

Graphite Pencil (Derwent Graphic) on Heavyweight Cartridge Paper

Hopefully I will be able to get some photos of them in situ at the exhibition. It's surprising what a difference it makes to a piece putting it in a frame! Here is a photo of 'Are you looking at me?' framed and ready to go.



Springer Spaniel Portrait

Have just realised I didn't upload the final scan of the Coloured Pencil Portrait of Dylan, the Springer Spaniel. My client asked for a small change, so here is the final final scan....

I am currently working on another coloured pencil painting - this time of an Arabian Horse - updates are being added on the Laura's Pet Portraits Facebook Page.

Watten Art and Craft Show

One of my resolutions in my New Year aims for 2011 was to enter an Exhibition. I had a look and found a number of national exhibitions that I liked the sound of but the problem with them was they were all so far away and some required delivering and collecting of work in person, which meant entering would have ended up prohibitively expensive!

So, I've decided to start closer to home and have got details of an Art and Craft Exhibition & Sale of Work at the Village Hall in Watten, which is literally just down the road from me. It runs from the evening of Friday 10th June to Sunday 12th June.

I am currently working on a piece that I'm planning on entering and have a couple of ideas of some equestrian themed pieces I'd like to do. But bearing in mind they also need to be framed I'm not sure how much time I will have so not sure how many pieces I will be able to enter. Hopefully at least two though.

The work in progress of my ongoing coloured pencil Arab Horse study, plus the updated final scan of my latest portrait are both on the Laura's Pet Portraits Facebook page.

Completed Springer Spaniel Portrait

Dylan, the Springer Spaniel, is now complete. I have had great fun drawing this gorgeous dog, Springers are one of my favourite breeds and depsite the difficult ears I do enjoy having them as subjects.

Anyway, here is Dylan:

Size: 8" x 10"

Medium: Derwent Coloursoft Coloured Pencil

Paper: Heavyweight Cartridge Paper

Another Springer Spaniel Update

I have been working on the Springer Spaniel coloured pencil portrait today of the gorgeous Dylan. I have started the hard part today - his ears. I still find Spaniel ears difficult but at the same time, the achievment when they're done is very rewarding too! One of Dylan's is now nearly finished:

Dylan has two eyes!

Have been working on Dylan the Springer Spaniel's portrait again today - he now has two eyes!

I have also very slightly changed his nose on the left hand side, it's been annoying me since I first drew it and I think I've finally got it right now.

Here is after today's drawing:

Springer Spaniel Pet Portrait

I have been working some more on the Springer Spaniel Pet Portrait today. As with most of my portraits, I have started this one with the eyes. So here is Dylan so far:

And a little eye close up:

Springer Spaniel Update

Here is an update on my current Pet Portrait in coloured pencil of a Springer Spaniel. Apologies for the delay in postings - I am currently battling with a very tempermental internet connection!



There will be more updates on both my current pet portraits on Monday...

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:

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...

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas from Laura's Pet Portraits. Hope you all had a lovely day. I only had two Christmas commissions on this year, but they were both quite large and quite time consuming, with one having a full background and the other the first montage I've been asked to do, both in coloured pencil.

Here are the two completed portraits:



I have lots of plans for next year, but I will share them in a post in the New Year. The next portrait on the drawing board is a graphite pencil Horse drawing, updates will of course be shared on here.

Springer Spaniel Update

Here is an update on the Springer Spaniel montage:

Springer Spaniel Montage

This is another portrait I am currently working on. It is a montage of a Springer Spaniel, one of my favourite breeds of dog. This is the first montage I have done and I think the little pictures are going to be a challenge!

An update on Hector

Here is another update on Golden Retriever, Hector.

Pet Portrait Update

Here is another update of the Golden Retriever Portrait:

Golden Retriever Update

Here is the latest update to my current coloured pencil pet portrait