Shitzu Poodle Portrait Finished

I finished the pastel pet portrait of the Shitzu Poodle today. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Shitzu Poodle Cross Commission

Here is what I have done so far on this Pastel Pet Portrait commission which is to be a Christmas gift. (I have learned that  it is safe to post it here.) Still a long way to go but she really is beginning to come to life now.

I have worked a fair bit on the mouth eyes and nose and I am still applying darks on the fur before whites go over the top. You will see allot of different colours at the moment such as greens, blues and purples. Some of these colours will show in the finished portrait but they will not be so obvious. My camera has not captured the true colour of the background again but it is a lighter warmer wheat colour.

I have modified the the shape of the ear but I will probably adjust it a little more before completion.

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Christmas Commission!

I have just begun a pastel dog portrait commission which is to be a gift so I am unable to post photographs at this stage. The dog is a Shitzu Miniture Poodle cross. Really cute with slight caramel colouring on the ears and around the nose and mouth. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Zoo Visit

Sooo cute baby wombat!!

I recently visited Australia Zoo solely to photograph animals to use as reference for my art. I was particularly interested in photographing the Sumatran tigers and was disappointed that I was only able to photograph them through glass. My best photos were of the elephants, wombats (so cute I would love to adopt one) and cassowaries. I am still working on a collection of pastel works themed boats, pelicans and water which I hope to exhibit next year. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Oscar and Pearl Pet Portrait Commission

 Oscar and Pearl pastel portrait 50x60cm

Oscar and Pearl Detail

I am back from my holiday at the beach and the Oscar and Pearl pastel portrait has been presented to the client so I can now post it in full. Oscar is a Maltese Shitzu and Pearl is a Maltese Poodle. I think these breeds are sometimes referred to as designer dogs. Osacr very sadly passed away at only six years old and his family now have the very beautiful Pearl. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Portrait Complete and off to the beach!

I finished the dog portrait a week ago, collected it yesterday from the framer and delivered it to the client. It will be presented as a gift on Sunday the 19th so until then I can only post a tiny little detail of it to keep you all guessing. My husband and I are taking off today to spend a week up at Noosa just reading and relaxing then we are home for a couple of days before sailing around the bay on our boat Lion Rampant. I hope to have lots of time to practice my watercolour and to take some reference photos as well. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Horse and Rider Commission

Duchess and Melissa Pastel Portrait Detail

Duchess and Melissa (Pastel Portrait 60x70cm)

Early this year I was working on a commission which was to be a Birthday surprise gift and I have been unable to post it on the web until now because the gift was given last Saturday. The horse is Duchess and her rider is Melissa of Westbury, Tasmania, Australia. Duchess (a very special family member) is an ex-race horse who was re-trained to show jump when her racing career ended. She now has an ongoing foot injury and is no longer able to jump or be ridden anymore so this portrait was commissioned so that Melissa would have a lasting memory of show jumping and riding with Duchess.
I have just begun another commission today of two georgeous little dogs but this also is to be a surprise gift in September so again I cannot post it here yet.If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Studio Update

The top painting on the easel is a pastel I am re-doing and the paintings below are my first watercolour attempts. I have a way to go yet!

Just keeping you up-to-date with my studio activities. I am really enjoying weekly watercolour classes with artist Maria Field. Watercolour is so different to oil and pastel painting as rather than going from dark to light you work from light to dark. I am also currently studying a course in Workplace Assessment and Training. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Update! What I am Up To!

I am not doing nothing! I am currently doing some study as well as watercolour classes and pastel boat paintings. My pastel "Gilded Quills was recently a finalist in the Lethbridge Gallery 10000 Exhibition and was sold at the exhibition. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Bighorn Sheep Finished!

Here is the Bighorn Sheep pastel Portrait finally finished. It has taken way longer than it was meant to due to other activities going on around me at the moment. Thankyou to Gary Kemig for supplying the photo and the challenge to paint this magnificent beast. See Gary's art here http://www.wildernessartchallenge.blogspot.com/ . I now have a boat pastel to start and an exhibition to plan and I will keep you posted on the progress of these. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is w.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Bighorn Sheep WIP 2

Alot has been happening in the last few weeks so it is only today that I have finally got back to working on this magnificent Bighorn Sheep. Still have along way to go but at least I have now covered all the paper!! If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

TV Video Clip from Channel 9's Today Show

Above is a video of me as I appeared last week on Channel 9's Today Show in a segment they did on gifts to Pamper Your Pooch! I have also added it to my website but I have yet to convert it to a format which my website will support. One of those I HATE COMPUTERS moments!! If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

TV Star!!

If you are in Australia and watch Channel Nine's "Today Show" at 7:20 am tomorrow morning Friday the 30th you may see me painting in my studio as part of a story about different gifts which are available to dog owners. Hope I do not look too "Dorky". If I like what I see I will include it as a video on my website home page. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Life

Life in the last week has been a little hectic so I have not done any more on the Bighorn! Monday involved a film shoot for Channel Nines 'Today' Show. They filmed me painting in my studio; interveiwed me and then filmed me and a client receiving her portrait. Let's hope it looks ok when it hits the TV screens!!! I have sent the horse and rider pastel to the client who is very happy and the oil painting of blue heeler maddie is currently at the framers. The rest of this week I have been doing some relief work for a school where students need help with Literacy! If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Maddie Finished

Here is Maddie finished unless I have to make any fnal adjustments. I am now going to have a sleep as I welcomed a couple of sailing friends in at the finish of the Solo Trans Tasman Yacht race last night and I have only had two hours sleep. They would be feeling alot more sleep deprived than me however since they have been at sea for just over a week. Bighorn coming up!!If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Maddie WIP 7

The oil painting pet portrait of Maddie the blue heeler dog is nearly finished. I have to finish her feet when today's paint is dry and I have started the grass around her (not shown here) which I also need to dry before I can add the finishing highlights without the paint turning to 'mud'. I will then go over the completed painting and adjust things until I am satisfied that I can not make further improvements. I will then begin work on the bighorn sheep again to get it finished and start a new pastel of boats. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Happy Easter

Wishing you all a very happy Easter holiday break! My husband and I are taking our boat out on the bay for a few days which should be wonderfully peaceful. I might try my hand at watercolour out there. So far I am not happy with my attempts at this medium. I have finished the pastel of the horse and rider but I will not be able to post a picture until August since this is when it is being given as a gift. The recipient is young and computer savy and we do not want to spoil the surprise!! I have been working on the oil pet portrait of Maddie the blue heeler today but I will post a picture late on Tuesday next week when I have more to show. I also plan on doing more work on the Bighorn Sheep but Maddie takes prioity unless I need drying time for the oil painting. I am wanting to enter a few competition/exhibitions and so I will be starting a pastel of boats soon using a reference photo I took in Tasmania last year. There is also a 'Fabulous Fakes' competition which I would be very excited to enter but the exhibition is at The Entrance in NSW and the painting has to be delivered in person so an entry from me may not be practical. I would love to attempt a copy of a Renoir who I think may be my favourite grand master. I love his use of colour!! And lastly we have put our plans on getting a puppy/ies on hold for the moment because the fencing was going to be very pricey and we are away on our boat allot. There are not many places in our sailing neighborhood where you can take a dog ashore for calls of nature!! If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Bighorn Sheep

Here is a work in progress of the Bighorn Sheep which artist Gary Keimig www.gary-keimig.blogspot.com photographed. He has very kindly challenged his blog visitors to use it as a reference photo for drawing or painting. I could not resist. The pastel is very thin at this stage and as I work over it the colours will become stronger and have more depth. Progress is slow as I am working on commissions at the same time. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Maddie Dog Pet Portrait in Oils WIP 5

Here is an update of what I did yesterday. I have done a little more on the mouth; started work on the lighter fur layer (there is more to do here and it will be finer); Worked a little on the feet, the collar, and adjusted the eye. Still work to be done all over especially the sandy coloured fur, the ears, the nose, the eyes, the mouth and the feet. Then of course the grass!! If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Maddie Pet Portrait WIP 3 and 4

Here is Maddie Dog Pet Portrait in Oils so far. I have really still a long way to go as most of the portrait is still only undercoat. I have also been working on my Bighorn Sheep pastel but I am not ready to post it yet. My Horse and rider commission is approaching completion. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Maddie WIP 2

Here is where I am up to with the oil Dog Pet Portrait of Maddie the Blue Heeler so far. I have given the background a second coat and very roughly underpainted most of Maddie. This underpainting is a guide for when I work over it with the next layers of paint, colour and detail. As I paint I adjust paint colours etc. as I go. The grass around Maddie's feet will be added very last of all. Still working on the Horse and Rider pastel and have begun my pastel of a Bighorn Sheep. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

WIP Update

Just a short blog to let you all know that although I have no pictures to post today it does not mean that I am not hard at work at my easel!! The pastel of the horse and rider is coming along slowly but nicely. I have a fair bit more to do before it is finished such as the face and bridle of the horse and the rider needs alot more work. I then have to go over the whole portrait adjusting colour and tonal values. Can't wait to show you all my WIP pics at a later date! Today I have given the background of Maddie a final coat of oil paint and this should dry over the weekend and I will then be able to begin work on Maddie herself next week. I am also begining a new pastel which I will post soon. I would also like to add that my husband and I have decided it is time to get another pet and that this time it will be a dog or two dogs which we can take out on our boat. I am doing my homework before plunging in but the breed we are interested in at the moment is Scottish Terrier. We have to have part of our garden fenced off first and then we will have to wait for an available litter at a breeder. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Maddie WIP 1

Here I have just done an undercoat for the background. Once it is dry I will apply another layer before beginning Maddie herself. The colours in this photo appear a little darker than they are actually. Maddie will have undercolour applied before I progressively add layers of detail with drying periods in between. Will be working on the pastel horse and rider commission this afternoon. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Blue Heeler Pet Portrait Commission

Here is a photograph of Maddie the blue heeler who I will be doing an oil pet portrait of. I have already prepared the canvas and sketched the out line ready to paint in the background. I will be painting in the points of both ears and a grassy surround for her to sit on. I will post a photo of the sketch once I have better light to photograph it as it is dark and rainy today.If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Pet Portrait Commission Progress

Just a quick note to let you know that I am working on my horse and rider pastel pet portrait at the moment and once the recipient has recieved it I will be able to post all of my work in progress stages. This will not be for a while though. I am also just begining an oil pet portrait of a blue heeler but I do not know as yet whether I can post my WIP here. The canvas is all stretched, primed and ready to go. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Smoeky and Twinkels Framed

Smoeky and Twinkels were collected from the framer today and will be delivered to the client tomorrow. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

New Pet Portrait Commission

I have begun working on a new Pet Portrait commission of a beautiful chesnut horse and his mistress but as it is to be a surprise gift i am unable to post my WIP on the blog or my website just yet. I also recieved a new Dog (Blue Heeler) Pet Portrait commission yesterday which I will be painting in oils starting next week. The image above is an oil of a blue heeler which I painted last year. I will be able to work on the pastel during the drying times of the oil painting. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Smoeky and Twinkels Finished

Smoeky and Twinkels are now finished and at the framer. I would like to share with you their beautiful character profiles which were supplied by their owner.

Smoeky: Smoeky is 9 years old, she is quite a girl and loves to cuddle against you. She loves to "talk" now and then...either just sitting on your lap and staring at you or if you are laying next to her on the carpet she will lay on her side and 'talk'. She is also Twinkels Mom. Smoeky has been very sick over the last two years but has a strong spirit and is doing so much better....:) She is a real fighter! She loves to sleep on her back when she is feeling well. She LOVES food. She is very, very dear and much loved.

Twinkels: Twinkels is 8 years old. Her name tells you allot about her personality.....she shines where ever she goes. She is a fun girl, full of joy and happiness. She is playful and loves a walk....give me some 'excitement' is her way of enjoying life. Twinkels will give her bone back to you for a ride in the car....:) She loves to be with people and will also try to get more attention then her mother. She is a great joy and just as loved.

My next commission is a horse and rider. It is to be a surprise gift so I will have to ask my client if it is safe to post pictures and info on my blog. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Smoeky and Twinkels WIP 5

Here is another update. I still have to do final touch ups; finish their feet and add thier names to the portrait. I should finish early next week and then my next commission is a horse and rider. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Smokey and Twinkle WIP 2

Here is my progress so far. I have yet to add more detail to Twinkle the bottom dog and I have allot more to do on Smokey. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Smokey WIP 1

Here is a very rough begining to Smokey. At the moment it is just undercolour and as I progress adding detail over the top the pastel will become denser and the colours truer. I am sure I can improve on my photography skills as the background colour is actually a light burgundy colour. I am thinking of joining a photography club. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Smokey and Twinkle

Above is how I am going to layout the portrait of Smokey and Twinkle. It is just their photographs laid out on the paper I will be using. This is always a good way to give an idea of what the portrait will look like when finiished. The background colour chosen is a light burgundy. Today I have sketched the outline and I am almost ready to begin pastel work. The portrait will be 50x60cm. I usually start with the eyes and nose and work out from there working all over on bits that need attention until progressively the portrait reaches completion. Apart from the eyes and nose the portrait just kind of happens! I met two little dogs on the weekend who looked just like Smokey and Twinkle. Their names were Hamish and Angus and they had wandered off from their owner who was most relieved when they turned up safe and sound. I was glad when the owner turned up as they had no phone number on their collars and I did not know what I would have done with them apart from take them home!! They were very sweet. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Australia Day and Next Project

We have had a National holiday here for Australia Day this week. We spent it out on our boat with friends and had an absolutely awesome day! I am just putting the finishing touches to Cap'n Jack and Mr Sheffield and my next project is a portrait in pastel of two very cute little dogs Smoeky and Twinkles. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Mr Sheffield WIP 2

Here is an update of Mr Sheffield. He looks a little sad but this is only how he looks in the photo and he is actually quite a happy personality. I still have to finish the chest fur on both cats to my satisfaction; maybe add whiskers (sometimes these are better left out); and play with anything else I am not entirely happy with until I consider it is finished. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Mr Sheffield WIP 1

Here is a WIP of Mr Sheffield. The pastel at this stage is still very thin and I will be adding more layers as I refine various areas of the pastel. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Happy New Year and Back to the Easel!

Hope you all had a great Christmas and that the New Year brings good health and prosperity to you all! I have had a wonderful break (cruising around on our boat 'pictured above' which we have just had repainted) and it is now time to return to the studio. I have The Red Boyz to complete then I will be doing a two dog portrait followed by a horse and rider. These are all pastel and in addition I will be slotting in an oil painting of a very cute little pug dog. It is very hot here at the moment so I will be starting early each day at the easel to beat the heat. If you enjoyed this post please consider becoming a follower of my blog. See the Followers section down the right side of my blog. You may like to add me to you own blog. If So my link is www.portraitsthatbite.blogspot.com/atom.xml