Dame Judi Dench and update

No I haven't forgotten about my blog! I've been very busy with Christmas commissions (mainly dogs and horses) that I can't show you yet for obvious reasons. I'm also in the process of putting together new animal photo galleries. I've had my new SLR (Canon 450D) for about 6 weeks now and am quite happy with the results. Still learning how to use it though!

I will be using some of my own wildlife photos as refs for a series of paintings as soon as I get some time.

Oh and I forgot to tell you! About three weeks ago, I shook hands with my favourite English actress Dame Judi Dench! She happened to be watching the same play (her daughter is in it), sitting only a few rows away from me and I ended up looking at HER most of the time rather than the stage *lol* (the play was really good though - it's called 'Bedroom Farce' and is on at the Rose Theatre in Kingston). Towards the end of the interval, as she was on her way back to her seat I decided to be brave, seize the opportunity of a life-time and asked her whether she'd shake my hand and make my day, my evening and my year...me being such a fan. She smiled and said 'course, course!' There was no time for a 'chat' as the play was about to start again (next time! LOL) but I was absolutely over the moon. Wow, what an experience! Back in my seat I started trembling like mad! I've got tickets to see Dame Judi at a charity event in November and in 'A midsummer night's dream' in February. Can't wait. I just adore this woman. We also had a chat with Sir Peter Hall, Stephen Unwin and Peter Bowles. What a wonderful evening!!

Dame Judi Dench - graphite pencil portrait

It's finished! I'm very happy with how it turned out. This portrait is meant to express how much I adore this classy lady!

NO I haven't left the country! ;o)

I'm still here and promise I shall update my blog more often again. I have not been lazy - there's 3 birthday/anniversary surprise portraits that I have been working on (2 horses and 1 cat) . Oh and one horse that I can show. Here's the work in progress (pastels):

I have also been out and about with my camera - I love taking photos that I might use as reference photos in the future. Last week we went to a British Wildlife Centre - maybe I should show some of my favourite pix on my website. A lot of portrait artists I know are also good photographers - not surprising I guess!
Anyhow, I have also been drawing a pencil portrait of my favourite English actress - Dame Judi Dench. I saw her on stage in London last week (in 'Madame de Sade') and she is as wonderful as I'd imagined. The rest of the cast were great as well.
Seeing Dami Judi on stage had been a dream of mine for years and as we had really good seats (stalls, row D), it was the most mesmerising experience. It is true - there is nothing like a Dame! And certainly nothing like Dame Judi. So I've been trying to draw her - I don't draw humans very often and have to say always find it a challenge - but a welcome one, especially if I 'know' and like the person I'm drawing and know exactly how I want them to look on paper. I hope it turns out the way I'm hoping..and if I recognise the actress I love in my own work then I'll show you the result! ;o)
This is the pencil draft:

OK I'm actually hoping to finish it today. So do watch this space!