Amber

I love painting pet portraits and usually I paint a head only portrait. This one is a little different. I loved the whole pose of Amber so decided to paint all of her along with her surroundings.

If you would like a painting of your pet, all I need is a clear sharp photo of your pet which you can send me by email.

Terrier Crossbreed Painting
Soft Pastels on Art Spectrum Colourfix
Size 10"x8"
FOR SALE
Mounted with a Double Cream on Cream Mountboard
Signed by me the Artist.

My German Shepherd Dog Honey Pastel Painting

This is Honey my own dog. I have painted many pet portraits for others, but hadn't one of my own dog. My husband said I had to paint her and here she is.

If you would like a pastel painting of your dog like this please contact me

German Shepherd Dog
Original Pastel Painting on
Clairefontaine Pastelmat
Size 11"x14"

WOLF - Pastel Painting Work in Progress

A few weeks ago, I fancied painting another piece of wildlife art and I decided to paint this wolf. I thought you might like to see some work in progress pictures.

This is portrait is painted with soft pastels on Clairefontaine Pastelmat. The size is 11" x14"

DAY 1
I start with a line drawing which gives and outline of the shape and the shadows of the animal. Without accurate tones and shading, the painting would not look real. I thought too, it would be nice for you to see the reference photo I used for this painting.

I always start at the top and work from the left to the right and then downwards. This ensures that I do not have to rest my hand on areas that have already been painted which could dull the painting or even smudge it.

I start with an underpainting which is a block of colour on top of which I paint the detail. Here you can see the ear on the right of the picture has no detail painted yet.

Wolf Pastel Painting Day 1

DAY 2

Here you can see that I have made quite a lot of progress. They eyes are painted and a large area of fur painted. You can see quite clearly the rusty brown underpainting on the nose and between the eyes.

The eyes, they say, are the windows to the sole. They are the most important part of the portrait and a lot of time is spent painting them. Even though they look to be one colour, they are in fact painted in layers too. This is important to be able to achieve accurate shading of the eye and the correct colour of the iris.

Wolf Pastel Painting Day 2

DAY 3

A lot more completed today. I have had a few days break from work and have been able to sit in the garden, enjoying the sunshine to paint. It took some time to achieve the correct shapes of the shadows on the wolf's face, as some of the line detail had disappeared when I came to paint it. I am please with this though. 

Wolf Pastel Painting Day 3

FINISHED PAINTING
The final stage of this painting is one of the most difficult areas to paint, the fur under the chin and down on to the chest.

The fur here is very thick and layered. Necessary to keep this beautiful animal warm in long harsh winters.

Wolf Original Pastel Painting
Size 11"x14" on Clairefontaine Pastelmat
This painting is FOR SALE
Signed Fine Art Prints Available

If you are interested in commissioning a portrait like this either of your pet or a wild animal, or if you would like to purchase this painting or signed Fine Art Prints, please contact me.

Black Collie Dog - Reggie

This is Reggie a lovely, soft collie dog who is camera shy. Usually, if he sees a camera, he runs. I managed to capture a shot to paint this portrait of him by using a macro lens on my camera, which meant I could keep the camera some distance away from him.

Black Collie Dog
Pastel Painting on Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper
Size 10"x8"
This Painting is SOLD

If you would like a pet portrait of your pet, painted in pastel like this, please contact me. All I need is a clear sharp photo of your pet. If you are not sure if I can use your photo, please send it to me anyway and I will let you know.

Gypsyvanner Pastel Painting

I have wanted to paint more horses and never got round to it. Anyway, I painted this to add to my portfolio. It was my challenge of the week. I knew it was going to be difficult painting that main.

Gypsyvanner Pastel Painting
On Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper
Size 9"x11" (approx)

This original portrait is for sale. If you are interested in buying it, please contact me.
Signed Fine Art Prints are also available by request.

Long Haired Black Cat - Tinted Charcoal Drawing

This little kittie was drawn for a competition entry for the LAW (Lanta Animal Welfare), animal rescue organisation's calender. It was one out of a number of photos they gave us to choose from to paint or draw. All of the animals featured in the photos were rescued and most of them looking for homes. You can view their page here. The results are not out yet.

Long Haired Black Cat
Tinted Charcoal on Watercolour Paper
Size 10x8

Pastel Paintings

Over the past few months a lot has been going on and I have failed miserably in updating my blog. I have completed a fair few pet portrait commissions, and I have treated myself to some pastels.
I thought that, as am now confident with graphite and charcoal, I would try pastels. I bought myself some pastel pencils and a sharp uphill climb of learning began.
I fiddled and scribbled and messed around with them and the results were not too good, well not up to my standard of work anyway. So, I watched numerous tutorials and practised, A LOT.

A number of paintings were started and abandoned, ending up in the circular file. But, as the time went on my practising began to pay off. Eventually, I felt confident enough to show the world what I have been up to. Now it is time for me to catch up and put some of my pastel paintings here.
I hope you like them. Your comments would be appreciated.
I am now taking on pastel commissions and over the next few days, I will post them here. Here is the first one.
This is Sox - a beautiful mischievous kitten. My first pastel commission. Painted, using Faber Castell and Derwent Pastel Pencils.

Ginger and White Kitten
Pastel Painting on Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper
Size 8"x10"

If you would like a painting of your pet in pastels then please contact me. I have started commissions for Christmas so order early. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.