Finally finished the final painting of the dog trilogy!

Beau

What a great client!  She was so thrilled with her final painting that she actually gave me a bonus and immediately placed all three together on her mantle where they rule the room!

Summer... the latest rendition

Summer....almost finished

Chip...again

I think I am finished.  I've made some adjustments and added some "frosting on the cake" –– details like whiskers and highlights.  The photography is not accurate,  it looks so much better in real life!  I guess the camera has a hard time with the myriad of colors and the overhead lighting.

Works in progress: Summer and Beau

I've made some progress on Summer and Beau. Still.... way more to go!

Work in progress... Summer and Beau

This portrait of Summer is the 2nd one of three commissioned along with Chip (shown in the earlier post). I'm almost finished and will start on Beau, the third dog in this series. You can see here how I begin, starting on a red canvas, blocking in the background and applying a chalk grid to guide my drawing. I work from a photo reference in my computer.

Chip

I just finished teaching 7 weeks of art camps which has fully occupied my attention.
Here's the painting of Chip which is mostly done. Today, I'm reorganizing my studio and will block in the background for the third painting in this series of Chip's buddy Summer. I can then turn this painting of Chip over to the wonderful woman who commissioned it and had been patiently waiting for it!

Work in progress - Chip.....Chocolate Chip Angel

Here is a portrait of Chip I have been working on. He is one of 3 labs I've been commissioned to paint. He was 14 years old, a bit crickety but regal, with a gleaming, greying coat. You could tell he was well loved. I was trying to get this completed before he passed away since 14 is really old for a lab. Alas, he passed away a few days ago. I wish I could just whip these things out, but I just don't work that way.

I plan to lighten the background and keep building up layers on him. Comments? Suggestions?

Back in the Studio!

I'm back in the studio!

On Tuesday, I laid my colors out onto my palette. I added the finishing touches to "Joey". I'll live with him for a few more days to make adjustments if needed. I sent Ruth , who requested this portrait, a preview and she loves it!

Donna popped in yesterday and said what I always hear about these paintings (but still love to hear again!): "you've really captured the essence of that dog..."

I also worked on the paintings of the two ponies, mainly blocking in the background and the dark values in the horses.

Almost done!

Bette Davis

I've been trying to finish Detroit. Didn't have my camera at my studio today so no pics. I made headway on the white boxer. I brought it home and scanned it so here she is. She's been making me nuts with her freaky gums!

Ridley (detail) Acrylic June 2007

My friend Lyn keeps talking about the relevance of blogging and especially loves the Daily Painters blogging web site. I've decided to jump on board in my own way. God knows, my current marketing plan (occasionally entering juried art shows) isn't working.

My last painting, a portrait of my sister's dog, Ridley, took me weeks to paint! Will I be able to crank out a painting in a day??