Cat portrait progress

We went to Marwell Zoo near Winchester yesterday and I took about 250 photos that I might use as future reference photos. I love the meerkats in particular and am planning a series of meerkat sketches. Another thing on my 'to do list' which is getting longer and longer all the time... LOL

Commissions come first though! So today I've made some progress on the portrait of Felix the cat. Here's a scan:

New cat portrait in pastels

This is the pencil outline of a new cat portrait. 'Felix' will be drawn in pastels. Sadly, he was run over by a car and killed at only 2 years old. His owner has also commissioned another portrait - a pastel of a cat that ran away a while ago and has not been seen since. So these will be very special portraits...

Horse portrait and dog pastel finished

I just finished two portraits - the one of the Oldenburg mare and her owner and also the one of the poodle called Rosie. The reference photo was rather poor so I'm fairly happy how it turned out. Also started a portrait of a Siamese cat (scan to follow). Busy busy busy! ;o)

Update on poodle portrait

I have made some progress on Rosie's portrait. Here's an update:

Equine watercolour head portrait

Here's another equine watercolour. I have to say watercolours are fun! I like the more painterly effect and enjoyed painting this beautiful chap. The title is 'Waiting' as the pony was just waiting to be taken onto the pitch. Size is A4. I think there'll be loads of watercolours to follow... ;o)

Later today I'll try and finish the pastel of the young woman and her horse and work some more on the poodle. Plus I've got several cat commissions lined up. Phew! ;o)

Young woman and her horse

I've been working hard on my latest commissions, the poodle and an A3 sized pastel portrait of a young woman and her Oldenburg mare. I like this composition very much...it shows love and trust between the horse and her owner. I don't usually draw humans in pastels (most clients prefer charcoal or graphite) so I am happy with how it looks so far.

If I work hard enough on my commissions today I might allow myself to start another watercolour painting tonight.... ;o) Can't wait!

Border Colle pastel portrait finished

I have finally managed to take a photo of Benji's pastel portrait so here it is:

First equine watercolour painting finished

It's done! I am very pleased with how my very first watercolour has turned out and I am sure there'll be many more to come! I enjoyed painting it and can't wait to start another. However, there are three pastel commissions and a donation that I'll work on first.

Kitten to Cat - Help Betsy Campaign

About a week ago, I had an e-mail from Simon Hade of 'Kitten to Cat' - London’s only cat only veterinary clinic. Kitten to Cat have launched an internet campaign to reunite a lost cat with her famliy and cat lovers all over the world are now following her story. 'Betsy's' owners failed to keep their microchip information up to date otherwise it would not be a problem to find them now.

This is Betsy - if you are from the Richmond area and think you know this cat, please contact Kitten to Cat (phone 02089400014), e-mail helpbetsy@kittentocat.com - or you can just drop me a line and I'll forward your message.

I am going to support Kitten to Cat's campaign by creating a portrait of Betsy so watch this space! I shall be posting several 'work in progress' scans for you.

I'll keep you posted on Betsy's story as well. Wouldn't it be wonderful if this grand old lady could be reunited with her family?