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...

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.

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!

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.



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

A is for Art.....

As you may have noticed, I've not yet produced anything for my art alphabet! However, today I have finally decided on my subject for A - A is for Arabian. I have an image in my head of what I want to end up with and have found a couple of fantastic references to work from, so keep coming back, there will be something to look at soon.

I have also found three National Art Exhibitions that appeal to me for entering this year. I may not produce enough to enter all three but I'll see what I manage. I'll let you know nearer the time what I'm entering, just in case nothing goes to plan!! I am also going to look into local art groups and maybe a local exhibition.

Today, A is also for ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals), 2.3" x 3.5" pieces of artwork. It always amazes me how long these little drawings take, about 2.5 hours! This one is of a Shetland pony and is in graphite pencil. I will be putting it on ebay tomorrow for sale:

Dressage Horse Update

Here is an update on the dressage horse. I changed his ears as I didn't like them pointing back as they were before, I think he looks happier in his work now!

Dressage Horse

As promised, a Horse! Horses were one of my favourite subjects when I was a teenager, drawing for fun, I was a typical horse mad girl, but when I started doing commissions and they were mainly of dogs I got out of the habit of drawing horses. Now I've just learning to ride and have 'discovered' horses again I am planning on getting back into drawing horses this year.

This drawing is for a raffle prize for an information event on 13th March held by the students on the HND Equine Studies course at the local Highland College. The money raised from the raffle will go to Riding for the Disabled and the Laminitis Trust.

Here is the first stage, more updates to follow next week.

Pet Portrait Update

Here is an update on the current graphite pet portrait I am working on, a German Shepherd named Quanto:

Pomeranian Pet Portrait

Here is a pet portrait I have recently completed for a customer for a Birthday gift. It was a repeat order from a customer I did a pet portrait for last year, so I was really pleased they liked the first one enough to order a second one. It is 8" x 10" in graphite pencil.

Here is Pepi, a Pomeranian....

Completed Cat Pet Portrait

Here is a pet portrait of a cat named Sala. It is a graphite pet portrait and is 5" x 7"

Westie update

I have been working today on the graphite Westie portrait. This is due to completed this week:

Pepsi and Ice finished

I finished Pepsi and Ice's pet portrait yesterday, but was unable to get decent pics due to lack of daylight! Here they are:

A close up of Ice, a white German Shepherd:

And a close up of Pepsi, a standard black and tan German Shepherd:

Cat pet portrait completed

I have finally finished Vada's pet portrait. It is 12" x 16" and is in graphite pencil. Here it is:

Ruth and Rosco's portrait complete

Here is the completed portrait of Black Labrador, Rosco and his owner. It is a 12" x 16" portrait in graphite pencil.

Ruth and Rosco update

I have spent the last few days working on the portrait of Ruth and Rosco. I have started with Ruth as getting her features and expression right is the hardest part of the portrait. I have done her eyes and smile several times but think i've got it right now! Here is the update from today:

Pet Portrait update

Here is an update on Vada's pet portrait. I have now finished her, I just need to complete the pile of logs she is led on and then her portrait will be completed.

Vada

Here is the latest update on the pet portrait of Vada, a beautiful black cat. Her portrait is in graphite, which is one of the best mediums for portraits of all black pets.

Black cat pet portrait

Here is an update on one of my current commissions - a beautiful black cat called Vada. Her portrait is 12" x 16" in graphite.