Cat portrait in pastels

I have just started a new cat portrait commission. British Shorthair cat 'Chini' will be drawn in pastels on velour paper. The reference photo will be fun to work from - I love the pose!
Here's the outline:

Shetland pony stallion - pastel portrait

So I have tried the new paper I bought (Sennelier pastelcard) and I do like it! The colours come out great and you are able to smudge the pastel (which is impossible on velour paper). I really enjoyed painting this horse portrait - it shows a Shetland pony stallion. I'll soon use this paper again but first it's back to velour. I'm doing a little project for our local wildlife centre. I'll tell you more about it next time!

Another Parson Russell Terrier pastel portrait

Riiiiiiiight, I thought I'd post my latest draft. Not that anyone actually ever reads my blog posts (apart from a couple of people every now and then maybe) but nevermind. A blog is the thing to have these days!

The new pastel dog portrait on velour paper will be of another Parson Russell Terrier - this one is very old (15 I think). I just love those huge eyes that are so typical of terriers! The pose is rather unusual but I think it'll work really well. As the dog is looking up I felt I needed to show one of his legs so that the pose would 'make sense'...I think it really does now.

I've also been spending quite a bit of time on my animal photography pages and will soon be able to let anyone who might be interested have a look. I'll post the link here asap.

Parson Russell Terrier puppy - portrait finished

Right, I have completed the dog portrait of a little Parson Russell terrier puppy held by a human hand. The hand was a bit of a challenge so I am very pleased how it turned out. It actually LOOKs like a hand! The dog's owner is over the moon with the portrait and is going to commission another 2 portraits. I have to say that I prefer velour paper to other types of pastel paper now, especially if it is white pets I'm drawing.

Jack Russell Terrier - dog pastel portrait

This is what I'm currently drawing: a Jack Russell Terrier puppy - pastels on velour paper. The little dog called 'Chica' is all white so it'll be a bit of a challenge! Watch this space.

Shetland pony - pastel portrait on velour

I hope you had a great Christmas!

I got out my velour paper and this is the result: a head study of a cheeky Shetland pony.

Progress on meerkat portrait

Made some progress on the meerkat portrait...just blocking in colours and adding contrast...
I'm rather happy with the meerkat's face - this is the look I love most about those little clowns! :o)

Meerkat portrait in pastels

I am currently working on a very special 'commission'. I love meerkats and so does my Mum, so this one's for her. :o) I met this little meerkat at Marwell Zoo near Winchester earlier this year and took the reference photo myself (along with about 300 other pix of various animals I might want to draw at a later stage).

Anyhow, this cute meerkat is being drawn in pastels on velour paper and this is how far I've got:

Weimaraner puppy in pastels finished

It's finished! Here's a scan of the little guy...

Dream horse

Another 'experiment' on black velour: a grey PRE stallion. As the black actually shines through, I feel it adds a 'dreamy' touch to this portrait. I don't think I'd use black velour paper again but still enjoyed drawing this horse. Reference photo by Juliane Meyer.

Basset Hound on velour paper finished!

I've come to a conclusion regarding velour paper.... YES! I LIKE IT! :o) The bright/rich pastel colours come out so well and the texture of the paper adds to the realistic/3-d effect. I will definitely use velour paper again...in fact, I can hardly wait to have another go! :o)

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:

News update

Hi everyone, I'm still enjoying my break...time to dream about future art projects...

Also, we went to a huuuuuuuuuuuuuge art shop...wow! Sandra in wonderland....apart from some pencils and coloured pastel paper, I finally got myself some velour paper and can't wait to try my pastels on it.