'Murphy' portrait complete

Hi, 'Murphy' the golden retriever portrait is now complete.  I just need to frame the work and say my goodbyes!  Thanks for following his progress.

'Murphy' pastel portrait complete

New Pastel Portrait Demonstration

'Murphy' demo, blocking in

Hi, back in the studio working on a new portrait of 'Murphy' a lovely golden retriever (sadly passed on) for our neighbours.  I will show you step by step how this portrait progresses, so keep watching!  I want to get as much feeling into this work as I can.........
                                                              

SALUKI DOG PASTEL PORTRAIT FINISHED

Hi, 'Jamil' Saluki dog pastel portrait is now complete and I am really happy with the result.  The final highlights to his collar and beads were added and now I put my pastels down!

His owner is delighted with the portrait and he is now ready to be shipped off to France.  I will be sad to see him leave my studio, he has become a good friend.  Bon voyage Jamil!!!

'Jamil'
SOLD



How I Paint a Saluki Dog Portrait, Stage 5

Today I am working more on the chest fur, allowing the directions of my markes to follow the hair growth.  The collar is great to work on as there is a mix of textures to deal with - the embroidered collar with gold threads and the shiny surface of the beads.  Need to keep my pastel pencils sharp!   





Saluki 'Jamil' portrait - Stage 5



How I Paint a Dog Portrait, Stage 4

I have worked some more on the nose and continue to make fine adjustments across the portrait.  The collar has a lovely embroidered design which I have worked on and now leave it until tomorrow when I hope to complete the work.


Saluki 'Jamil' portrait - Stage 4



How I Paint a Dog Portrait, Stage 3

Saluki 'Jamil' Stage 3

I now continue to work all over the portrait, refining areas and begin work on the embroidered collar.  I am happy with the way the portrait is progressing.

Stage 3 - How I Paint a Dog Portrait

Hi, today I work up the eyes paying attention to the reflections and highlights

Saluki 'Jamil' Dog Portrait Stage 3

STAGE 2 - HOW I PAINT A DOG PORTRAIT IN PASTEL


Hi, a few more hours work on the Saluki dog pastel portrait.  I tend to work fairly slowly at this stage, building up the pastel strokes to show the form and structure of the head and hair growth direction.  I adjust the shapes as I go along, checking with the photo of Jamil.  The likeness can come and go at this point which is a bit scary but I am always ready to make changes rather than stick with something which looks good but is not accurate in terms of likeness.
Although I am working from a photograph, I am not aiming for a 'photographic finish', that is I want to show what the image is made from, the materials, the expressive marks.  Tomorrow, I will work up the eyes, love painting eyes and the challenge of getting the individual expression.

STAGE 2 - DOG PORTRAIT
SALUKI 'JAMIL'











HOW TO PAINT A DOG PORTRAIT in pastel - Step by Step. Stage 1

Alongside my Daily small Painting series I am currently working on more dog portraits and thanks to a fb friend, I have at last got a Saluki dog model! I know about his character and have access to several photos of him. I have been asked to show the stages of making a pastel portrait, so here goes.

As I cannot meet Jamil in the flesh, I select a photo to work from, then get as accurate a drawing I can but also aim to capture his individual character.   I think about the composition and placement of the head on the paper. 

Next, I look for the tonal range grey scale and local colours and indicate those in key areas.  I think of this first stage as mapping out all of the main elements, composition, tone, colour.



Saluki 'Jamil' dog pastel portrait stage 1



Now the light is fading so I will leave it alone! I will post the next stage when complete, keep watching, Jan

'Trafalgar Square Hug'

Trafalgar Square, London is a great cosmopolitan gathering place for people.  The daily buzz of activity, people meeting, passing through and site seeing, makes it a perfect place for observing little scenes of daily lives.

No 11  Daily  small  Painting

13x18cm acrylic on gesso panel

£65.00

'Looking Good'

The casual elegance of youth, cool on a summers day.  Energetic brushstrokes counterbalance the calmness of the pose.  Thanks to my fbook friend who allowed me to work from her image, to make this painting.

No 10  Daily  small  Painting

13x18cm acrylic on gesso panel

£65.00

'Little Red Bucket'

Capturing the moment just before the bucket is emptied of seawater onto the sand.  The sunshine creating strong highlights and shadows, so nice to paint.

No 9  Daily  small  Painting

13x18cm acrylic on gesso panel

£65.00

'My Red Beachball'

Happy, carefree summer days, blue sea and children playing on the sand.  This painting was made from sketches made during a holiday in Portugal earlier this year.

No 8  Daily  small  Painting

13x18cm acrylic on gesso panel

£65.00

'Cafe Life'

A lovely moment of cafe life where friends are meeting, catching up and enjoying time together.  A daily happening anytime, anywhere in the world. 

No 6  Daily  small  Painting

13x18cm acrylic on gesso panel

£65.00

'Parisian Cafe'

A chic Parisian cafe where beautiful people have coffee and lunch on a summers day. So elegant, so expensive.  I loved painting the sunlit areas - light against dark.   

No 5  Daily  small  Painting

13x18cm acrylic on gesso panel

SOLD

'Night Cafe'

Late evening at this street cafe, people relaxing in the friendly atmosphere.  I painted this scene in a low key range of colours to suggest the  mood. 

No 4  Daily  small  Painting

13x18cm acrylic on gesso panel

SOLD

'Waiting'

A bright, cold afternoon on a busy city street.  Long shadows, glints of sun, people waiting to go their separate ways.

No 3  Daily  small  Painting

13x18cm acrylic on gesso panel

£65.00

'Sushi Chef'

A chef creating his own sushi works of art in a quiet corner of this busy kitchen. 

I enjoyed painting the tension between quiet and busy.

No 2  Daily  small  Painting

13x18cm acrylic on gesso panel

£65.00

'Businessman Reading'

My first Daily small Painting featuring this sharp suited business guy taking time out to catch up with the news.  A harsh compositional crop and a restrained palette gives some drama to an otherwise quiet moment in the city.

No 1  Daily  small  Painting

13x18cm acrylic on gesso panel

£65.00