Budgies finished and horse portrait started

This budgie portrait is finished as well now and the client is over the moon with it.

So I have been able to start another equestrian charcoal portrait:
The head study of a beautiful Spanish P.R.E. stallion, "P.R.E." meaning "Pura Raza Espanola" - the pure Spanish breed. They are such majestic horses and again, I am lucky enough to be allowed to choose one of Juliana Meyer's magnificent photos as my reference.

This is the pencil draft:

I'm looking forward to working on it some more tomorrow, after updating my websites.

New update

As you can see, I have spent some more time on the first budgie portrait and am quite happy with the progress..

As for the second budgie portrait, Funky is now almost finished. Isn't he just a cutie? I'm hoping to make a start on Fussel's head later today.

Budgie portrait

While I'm still working on the portrait of two the budgies on their owner's hand, I am able to show you another budgie portrait that the client's boyfriend received for his birthday yesterday. It was done in Faber Castell Polychromos coloured pencils. The little guy's name is Lenny. He was much loved by his owners and his budgie friends - sadly, he flew across the rainbow bridge before Christmas.
Right, this is Lenny:


Another update on the other budgie portrait (and yet another one I am about to start) will follow soon. Talk then!

Budgies on hand

I have now started working on a portrait of two budgies landing on their owner's hand. I have to say that I am not keen on drawing human hands but am determined to face the challenge and gain some confidence! I think I've made a good start. I do love drawing budgies (or 'parakeets' if you are from the States) as I've got two of my own called Teddy and Alfie. If you'd like to see some of my budgie portraits, click here.

As for this particular portrait, the reference photo isn't that brilliant (you can't really see the budgies' faces) but the photo means a lot to the owner, which is why she asked for it to be drawn.

The portrait is being drawn using mixed media - pastels and coloured pencils, which I find works very well as far as small drawings of birds are concerned.

I'll keep you posted! Wow, 3 posts in 3 days.... ;o)