Tag Archives: portrait

Painting Dogs

August 17th, 2010 | Posted in Gail Dolphin



I delivered a long awaited portrait commission yesterday of a Scottish Deerhound to a wonderful couple. When I knocked on the door, I knew they had lost not only “Ellie”, but also another older Deerhound while waiting for the portrait. They had gotten a new puppy about 7 months ago and also had one other 12 year old dog. I was immediately greeted by what appeared to be an adult. It is unusual for a deerhound to be so exuberant with strangers, so I realized it was their new puppy “Penelope”. The couple then told me they had to put their older dog to sleep last week. They had lost three of their beloved dogs in less than a year. The sadness of that was replaced by the new puppy who captured your heart right away. After lots of kisses she quickly retired to the couch in typical Deerhound style.
When I unwrapped the painting, I had my usual nervousness as to whether it would capture the essence of the dog they loved so much. They looked in silence then both expressed how much they loved it. I think they were holding back tears because of the flood of memories it brought back. The daily walks on the beach and how she would love sleeping on their bed. Anyone that has dogs in their lives knows the feeling well when we lose them. We lose a part of our own heart and vow never to go through it again. Yet, we shortly welcome another puppy or rescue into our lives to once again give us the unconditional love that only a dog can give. They decided to “hide” the painting from puppy Penelope so she would not decide it was an early Christmas gift to unwrap. She had once again filled their hearts with love and the joy of owning a dog.

©Copyright 2010 by Gail Dolphin. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Ten Weeks: Bugged

August 11th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


Baby Girl was not very impressed with me when I took off her mask last week in order to get some photos. I think her look says it all – this is *not* acceptable for The Princess! This week’s painting is 6 x 6 oil on canvas.

She’s in for another rude awakening – today the *original* princess came back from the track for some R&R. That would be Gracie, of course! Gracie left a week after the new filly was born, and I do admit having the new foal to dote over helped me deal with my separation anxiety for Gracie. Miss Grace will get the rest of the year off to grow – she is such a big, tall filly, and still growing. It was good for her to get into Woodbine and see the sights, but physically she still needs some time. Of course it’s anyone’s guess whether she’ll actually make it to the races. Such is the game! I’m happy to have her home.

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Not Enough Hours! Week 6

July 15th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


It was tough fitting in the week 6 painting today! After feeding and turning out this AM I had 175 bales of hay to take care of – a morning workout when there are just three people, total. The usual stalls waited at home, and tonight I had to be out. As a result I’m posting a somewhat sketchier than normal painting of our girl. Sometimes it’s good to only have so much time. All things considered, I guess it’s not too bad!

This is 6 x 8 oil on linen.

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Baby Girl Strikes a Pose – Week 5

July 8th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


Here’s our girl at five weeks old. The interesting thing I’m finding in these paintings is while in real life she’s grown and changed, when I look at photos of her, and do the paintings, she isn’t appearing a whole lot different! I don’t feel I entirely captured her likeness here, either.

This is 7 x 5 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel.

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Paying Tribute

July 2nd, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


I really don’t know what to write with today’s painting; the story behind what inspired me to finally pull out the necessary reference photo is a dark one, one that seems so glaringly out of place during a week which is supposed to be a celebration of Canadian racing: Queen’s Plate week.

Like many others, yesterday I learned of the death of Wake at Noon, a Canadian champion. He was thirteen, and died on the racetrack, when he never should have been on the racetrack. He was supposed to be enjoying a well-deserved retirement (some of us think winning $1.6 million should pay for that), not find himself the victim of a freak accident after his connections apparently lied about his identity (purely speculation on my part) to even get him on the backstretch. At thirteen, he wasn’t eligible to race at Woodbine – or even allowed to been on the grounds. But nothing stays secret at the track for long.

Anyway…I won’t ramble on. I took the reference photo for this on Plate Day ten years ago, and I’ve often looked at it over the years and thought he’s a horse I’ll paint one day. I never though it would be under these circumstances. So here he is, a rapid-fire tribute to an awesome horse, and a sad reminder of how pathetic the human race can be.

10 x 8 oil on Artfix linen.

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Progress on my Father’s Portrait in Watercolor

June 30th, 2010 | Posted in Debbie Flood

Hi, I hope your Tuesday is going well. I didn’t send out a post yesterday (Monday) because I spent the day in the studio, cutting mats, framing, labeling, pricing, and packaging art! I have two weeks or less, to be ready for the “Arts in the park” two day festival here in Belfast, Maine. Wow, do I have a lot of art! I do hope you can stop by and visit and view the originals, face to face on July 10th or 11th. I think you’ll be surprised how a computer screen just doesn’t do a painting justice! That same weekend is the “Penobscot Bay Carvers & Artist’s Assoc., Maine Coast Competition”. I plan on having a couple wildlife paintings in this exhibit also. It’s held at the boat house in Belfast, Maine. After Arts in the Park in Belfast, I journey up to Waterville, Maine for their outside, downtown Art festival on the sidewalks, July 17th.Then I get a small break and I am then down to Lincolnville Beach, for “Art at the beach” the second Saturday in August.

Today I worked on this watercolor of my father. I decided to put a blue wash in the background and I like it a lot. I also applied shadows to the shirt, hat, face, and hand/arm. This painting has gotten the seal of approval from my mom. My dad..well, I see a smile when he takes a glimpse at it.

Tomorrow will probably be another day devoted to framing and packing more art. Time to gather my booth supplies too, such as all the tools I’ll need to keep the set up/break down running smoothly as well as all the tools for easy sales transactions and paperwork. There’s a lot of work to keeping this circus on the road! ha ha.

Speak with you again soon,

Debbie

Debbie Flood, Artist. Equine, Wildlife, and the natural world.
http://www.debfloodart.com

©Copyright 2010 by Debbie Flood. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Watercolor Progress of my father

June 27th, 2010 | Posted in Debbie Flood

Good Friday to you! I’m still having a ball working on this watercolor of my dad. That straw hat is just the best! The texture, the colors, the beads!Today I spent time working on the shirt, the hat, the eye glass case that clips to his shirt pocket. I also put a little more wash on his face and put in a few details on the back of the chair. That chair back is a small hand knit piece of cloth draped over the back. It’s made from real dog hair! I swapped a painting for it a long time ago at an Art exhibit. Kind of a cool piece! It matches that hat real well.

Today my Giclee prints arrived of the “Windsor Hotel”, “Best seat in the house”, “American honey”, and “Grumpy draft”. They are absolutely gorgeous! They are printed on Arches velvet watercolor paper and look like original paintings! They are amazing! The Windsor Hotel are 11 x 19 with an inch white border. This comes in a limited edition of 50. The other three prints are available as Limited editions or smaller open editions. You can email me for more info about them and to purchase debflood@debfloodart.com thank you! I have sizes and prices on my website of the western-equine Giclee prints http://www.debfloodart.com/debbie_flood_016.htm

I hope you have a great weekend! Looks like I’ll be numbering and signing prints!

Talk to you next week, if not before!

Debbie

Debbie Flood, Artist. Equine, Wildlife, and the natural world.
http://www.debfloodart.com

©Copyright 2010 by Debbie Flood. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Miffy & Mr Waddles – Pen and Wash

May 27th, 2010 | Posted in Catherin McMillan

Miffy & Mr Waddles

Meet Miffy & Mr Waddles my latest pen and wash commission… I love dacs they have such inquisitive little faces and seem to be very regal in all ways.

Thank you Jane for commissioning me to immortalise Miffy & Mr Waddles 10″ x 14″ pen and wash.

If you would like to commission a pen and wash for your self drop me an email

Catherin McMillan

http://www.animalarthouse.com/

Commissions welcome

Original Artwork for sale

Pay Pal� welcome

©Copyright 2010 by Catherin McMillan. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Chocking my right arm…

May 26th, 2010 | Posted in Sheona Hamilton-Grant

Un-obliviously (nice new word don’t you think?) I choked my right arm.
Let me translate: Blind to the weight and size of my files I fed my computer way too much …to saturation…to crash down.
Result: a disaster and a massive wake up call!

All work is now backed-up on DVD’s and allowing one of my most important tools to breath again. Big fresh breaths of IT air.

In the chaos and “restructuring” I realised I never showed you a portrait of the late “Bracken”.

Bracken was a rescue and a canine that found a 5 star life with a great couple. After a tough start, he discovered what it is to be the beneficiary of a good life, of a life filled with canine luxuries and surrounded by love.

“Bracken”
Pencil on Paper 19×21 cm
SOLD

©Copyright 2010 by Sheona Hamilton-Grant. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Spec(ulative) Photo Shoots

May 3rd, 2010 | Posted in Juliet Harrison


I have a new idea for expanding the breeds of horses that I photograph and the surroundings they are in. SPEC PHOTOGRAPHY.

What is that?

If you are within 1 hour from my home and would like me to come out to your barn to photograph your horses, contact me. If I think it could be interesting, I would be willing to come and photograph for my own portfolio of images. You will be under no obligation to purchase an image. If I do this….I will own all the rights to the images and I will direct the photo shoot for my needs. If, after seeing the shots, you decide to purchase one, the price will be the same as with any of my photos sold on my website.

If you are interested and you are more than 1 hour from my home, you will only be obligated to pay for my travel expenses. And the purchase or use of an image will be as above.

Contact me if you want to discuss this idea. ( julietharrison@earthlink.net ) The photos above are an example of what can come from such a photo shoot.

©Copyright 2010 by Juliet Harrison. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Always in Style Finished

April 19th, 2010 | Posted in Carrie Lewis

Original Oil Painting

Raphael Belgian Linen Panel, 16″ x 20″

Always in Style is now officially complete! The final touch was brushing up the background with Titanium White and Manganese Blue. That was all it needed.

The portrait was photographed and a digital image sent to the client the same morning and approval has since been received.

The finished portrait went to the drying room for two weeks, then was be framed and presented to the clients at the 2009 Michigan Harness Horseman’s Association Annual Art Auction.

It also served as a display portrait for the two other custom portraits being offered at that auction.

This portrait was purchased at the 2007 MHHA auction and I was able to meet and photograph Always in Style a year ago this month. It is a delight to be able to now present the finished portrait as a sample of my work for those who will be bidding on the current donations.

Many thanks to the owners of Always in Style and of this portrait for allowing this use of their painting.

More information on horse portraits and frequently asked questions about horse portraits.

©Copyright 2010 by Carrie Lewis. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Always in Style, Color, Part 4

March 29th, 2010 | Posted in Carrie Lewis

Original Oil Painting

Raphael Belgian Linen Panel, 16″ x 20″

The painting is getting to what I usually refer to as the ‘nit-picky stage’. That is, I’m working at finishing each section I work on in a single painting session.

For example, today’s work was centered on the part of the face below the nose band. From light to dark, I used Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber. Each color was applied dry brush, with no additional walnut oil or medium, but was brushed as thin as possible to allow all the layers of color to influence the final result.

The goal at this stage is to finish each area before moving to the next one, then finish with the halter, any touch ups and/or adjustments that need to be made, then a signature. Since earth tones dry quickly, often over night, work should be able to progress as quickly as my schedule will allow.

I worked on the portrait periodically throughout the next two weeks and managed to do a glaze over the rest of the horse that included work with Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber, then adding some highlights with Raw Sienna mixed with Titanium White. The work of adding details continued section by section.

By the time I finished for the day on the last day of that period, the portrait was looking pretty good. The face needed a lot more work and the mane and halter needed to be painted, but after that, it was a matter of touching up as needed, then dry time.

©Copyright 2010 by Carrie Lewis. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Luxy

March 27th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


This is another one of my recent commissions, a 16 x 20 oil on panel. Luxy is a Danish Warmblood gelding, he and his brother Luminous both sons of the famous stallion Lucky Light. Both brothers were named for their shining light – the sun for Luxy, and the moon for Luminous – hence the symbolic sun in Luxy’s portrait. If you look carefully at the original, you will see a four-leaf clover in the foliage of the treeline, to pay tribute to the stallion Lucky Light.

The brothers are both lovely dressage horses, with natural jumping ability. While Luminous is sweet and eager to please, Luxy is playful, mischievous and impish. I think Luxy would like to meet the two young boys at my place – the three of them would have a lot of fun!

Luxy’s portrait is framed and will soon be on its way.

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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portrait of ft riley horse

March 25th, 2010 | Posted in Christine Collier-Trevino

I finished this pretty much today. I will add his name and unit crest in the lower right corner.
The cavalry color guard are very happy with it. “It’s better than a photograph!”
so I’m happy too!

©Copyright 2008 by Christine Collier-Trevino. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit Christine Collier-Trevino’s website.

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Always in Style, Color, Part 2

March 23rd, 2010 | Posted in Carrie Lewis

Original Oil Painting

Raphael Belgian Linen Panel, 16″ x 20″

This round of  work began with a ‘rubbing’ of Yellow Ochre, applied with a clean rag over the majority of Style’s head, neck and shoulders.

The next color was Raw Sienna, then Burnt Sienna. Those colors, too, were rubbed onto the surface of the canvas and directly into the Yellow Ochre, but only in the mid-value areas.

The eye was also worked on, beginning with a glaze of Burnt Umber in and around the eye. Ultramarine Blue was then painted into the same areas and blended wet-into-wet everywhere except in the highlight.

The highlight was painted with the same colors used in the background (Manganese Blue and Viridian mixed with lots of Titanium White), with the brightest area being almost completely white and fading into a bluer mixture toward the back edge of the eye.

There was also a good deal of tweaking and fine-tuning around the eye and in some of the areas that could easily be completed in this painting session, such as the ears. The forelock and mane were also worked on throughout the painting session, especially in the areas where they are adjacent to other working areas.

When a painting enters this phase of the process, I either paint rapidly and wet-int0-wet or painted is applied in glazes and the painting has to dry thoroughly between each layer. That usually means a painting in the color phase gets work one day a week and dries for a week between glazes.

That is the way Style’s portrait is being painted. So after this work was completed, the painting was set aside to dry for the required week.

©Copyright 2010 by Carrie Lewis. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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More progress on the watercolor of the man and draft horse

March 19th, 2010 | Posted in Debbie Flood

More work on this today. I spent most of the time working on the area around the whiskers and on the harness. These are areas that will take a bit of time. I have to take breaks from this part, as my eyes begin to get unfocused and go a bit blurry on me…ha ha.

I took a photo of the man’s hand with a ruler over it, so that the size I am working with can be seen.

The weather here is just super and I plan on being outside Saturday, hoping to get some yard work done. The day is suppose to get in the mid 60′s. Today is the low 60′s. Have a great weekend!Talk with you next week,

Debbie

Debbie Flood, Artist. Equine, Wildlife, and the natural world.
http://www.debfloodart.com

©Copyright 2010 by Debbie Flood. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Prophet

March 19th, 2010 | Posted in Catherin McMillan


“Prophet”
I love it when an owner wants a different perspective on a portrait. Prophet loves nothing more than to stick his tongue out when having his photo taken.. so it seemed appropriate that his own Eric request this profil. 10″ x 12″ pastel.
Catherin http://www.animalarthouse.com/

©Copyright 2010 by Catherin McMillan. See original post here.
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Always in Style, Color, Part 1

March 18th, 2010 | Posted in Carrie Lewis

Original Oil Painting

Raphael Belgian Linen Panel, 16″ x 20″

Always in Style was given two weeks for the under painting to dry. During that time, we had typical weather, which is to say warm and dry. Perfect drying weather for oil paintings.

Even so, I checked it at one week to see how it was doing. That’s standard operating procedure, though I rarely work on anything after only a single week of drying.

Color work began much the same way the under painting began; in the background.

I used about a 50/50 mixture of Manganese Blue and Viridian mixed with lots of Titanium White to create the blue. The blue is a little bit darker at the top than at the bottom to simulate the look of a clear blue sky.

Color was applied dry brush, which means I used only the walnut oil that is naturally in the mix of paint. No additional walnut oil was added to the paint and the canvas was not rubbed with oil before I began painting.

The purpose for this is two-fold. First, the less oil in the paint, the more opaque the resulting color layer. Since I didn’t intend to repaint the background any more times than necessary, a more opaque color layer was preferred.

Secondly, this layer of color dried more quickly with less oil in it. Once the background was in place, the paint had to dry completely before additional work could be done. Working without added oils either on the canvas or in the paint resulted in a shorter drying time.

Even so, it took a week before this work was dry enough for work to continue.

©Copyright 2010 by Carrie Lewis. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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