A pet portrait for Christmas

If you're considering giving away a pet portrait this Christmas, you'll find that most artists have actually been busy working on Christmas commission since September and are unable to accept any more orders. Personally, I finished the first Xmas portrait back in August!
However, I've been working overtime in order to be able to accept a few 'late' orders. So if you would like to commission me (and are in the UK), please contact me asap. I can probably take on another 2-3 commissions. So hurry! Very soon I'll be booked up.
Also, you can purchase a gift voucher anytime - just let me know.

Here's one of the 4 Christmas commissions I finished this week (this one I can show you because the person who will find this portrait under the Christmas tree is not likely to read this blog post). It's an A3 sized charcoal painting of a Friesian gelding:

Friesian stallion - charcoal horse portrait

I have finished the charcoal horse portrait: so this is 'Nanno', a young Friesian stallion.

Now on to the next Springer Spaniel portrait...

Cat pastel pet portrait finished

The pastel painting of Bonnie the cat is now finished. Considering that I had to transplant this pretty cat's head onto another cat's body and then edit it, using the photos of Bonnie that were available, I am very pleased with the result. I hope her owners will be too! :o)

Pony portrait finished

I have just finished the pony portrait in pastels:

This pet portrait was drawn on Chanson mi-teintes pastel paper which I was not overly happy with. I have used it before but for some reason found the rough texture a bit annoying this time, although I did actually use the smooth side. It didn't scan well either so the scan looks a bit grainy. I am quite happy with the actual portrait so I suppose it's a bit of a love-hate relationship. As I've bought quite a few sheets of this paper I'd better get used to it! ;o)

New cat pastel paining

After a lovely birthday weekend which included a trip to London to see the musical 'Billy Elliot' and other great surprises (thank you hunny!), I am back at my desk working on a new cat pastel painting. The cat is 'Bonnie', a much loved family member who lived with her owners for almost two decades. The reference photos are not ideal so I have basically edited the pix and come up with the following pose:

I am just in the process of adding the first layer of pastels to the outline of Bonnie's head and working on her eyes. I will soon be concentrating on the fine detail before moving on to Bonnie's body. I shall post another scan soon!

I am also still working on the Corvette plus I have two horse commissions coming up. Busy time! If you are thinking about commissioning a pet portrait for Christmas, make sure you tell me asap!

First pastel portrait on velour paper

I have finally managed to start my very first pet portrait on velour paper. I know a lot of pastel artists who love this support so I couldn't wait to try it. I have chosen a lovely reference photo of a Basset hound (copyright by photographer Juliane Meyer).

I am not quite sure yet whether I like velour or not; I like to blend and mix my pastels which is impossible on velour plus it is not forgiving at all - so smudges or even mistakes cannot be erased. It feels like drawing on textile/fabric which I suppose it is so it feels...well, weird I guess! It is very soft - a bit like fur. *lol* Some artists have said that it does not really hold the pastel well and if you shake the paper it'll all come off again. This does not seem to be the case (so far) but I have been using pastel pencils rather than sticks so this might change. I've still got an 'open mind' so don't dislike it or anything but I shall be able to tell you more once the portrait is finished. Here's a scan of the work in progress:

Welsh pony portrait

The pastel portrait of Welsh pony gelding 'Romeo' - whose young owner is, believe it or not, called Juliet! - is finished. Here's a scan:

One more step..

Hi all,
This should be the final 'work in progress' scan before I complete the portrait.

Hope it is sunny where you are today! We've got lovely sunshine and the crocusses and daffodils are out.... feels like spring!

Fun! Well...apart from the draw at football!

I'm enjoying this one so much I didn't even put my pencils down when I was watching footy this afternoon (well was only a draw anyway...very annoying). ^^ Anyhow, here's another update...soon this beautiful stallion will be finished! :o)

Making progress

As you can see, I made some progress this morning. I have to say I love working with charcoal...and drawing such a beautiful horse certainly adds to the enjoyment!