Good old ‘Henry’, his portrait has got me shortlisted in the Jackson’s Categorically Acrylic Painting Competition. Tickled pink!
Rocco
This is the most recent commission which has been delivered to the client today. Rocco (a Cockerpoo and total rockstar, sadly no longer with us) was a complete joy to paint and I hope his owners will like this memory of him. #cockerpoo #dogportrait
Highland Stag
Just finished this stag but keep fiddling with the water so it’s time to clean the brushes and take the painting off the easel. Acrylic on canvas 60 x 60cm.
Just need to think of a title now…….hmmm…
Studio Assistant Caught Out
Studio Assistant caught sleeping on the job…….again…
Photos for Commissions
When I undertake a commission, I’m often sent photos that prove to be a bit of a challenge! In order to get the best result for a pet portrait, a good sharp image is really important and also if the person can get down to the dog or cat’s eye level, all the better. I usually kneel or even lie on the floor and wait for the animal to settle (following an investigative sniff or rub of the camera by the model!)
Three or four different poses (including a close-up of the head) are usually enough for me to see how the fur lies, the colour of the eyes and the contours of the animal’s head and body. Sleeping animals also make a lovely composition for a painting – and ensures a sharp, blur free image!
Here are a couple of examples of good photos which resulted in realistic portraits.
Hamish is Away…
Just found out that ‘Hamish’ has sold at Garrion Bridges….another pic that I was fond of! Glad he’s gone to a good home though. Now – back to a commission of a gorgeous German Shepherd which I’m having fun working on…..or maybe a cup of tea and biccy to celebrate my sale first! ☕️🍪
Mabel
Sold this painting of one of our cats, Mabel, at the Garrion Bridges last week. Mixed feelings now. Delighted that it sold, but I actually wish I’d kept this one, as Mabel was a special puss and I really liked the way the painting had turned out. What a numpty!
I wonder if anyone else has a hard time parting with things they’ve created?!
Olive
Met lovely Olive on Sunday as we were leaving Ulverston, Cumbria – having been at the Carnival the day before. Think her owners said she was a cross between an Irish Wolfhound and a Deerhound? Not sure, but she has the most beautiful eyes. I’ll probably use pastels in soft ochre, greys and blues. As usual, I forgot to hand out a business card to the owners as I was concentrating more on getting some good shots of the model! Ah well.
Pastel portrait tbd
Border Terrier
This painting was started a year or two back and I thought it was finished, but having worked on it again today, I realised it wasn’t. Always worth going back to something you’re not sure about with a fresh approach. Acrylic on 12 x 12″ canvas. (He’s also now got a determined look in his eye!)
Exhausted Studio Assistant
Reinstated studio assistant has disgraced herself overnight by finding and presenting headless mouse (head also discovered later) and is now too exhausted to work…..
Rosie Mark Artwork 