Darcy

Darcy's really taking shape now. Unfortunately he's not photographing too well. I'm hoping to get him finished tomorrow.

Darcy

I've made a start on the American Cocker Spaniel, Darcy. It's working really well and hopefully I'll finish it before weekend. I'm having a week off with hubby to recharge the batteries ready for the Christmas rush. We're not going away but are planning on a week with no plans and no time keeping. We'll just be doing what we want when we want.

I've had another enquiry today from a lady who I did a portrait for in 2006. Always a good sign when previous customers return for more!!

Stuff

Paper arrived yesterday afternoon so I can start the American Cocker Spaniel later today. He's really cute and I'm really looking forward to starting him. More later.

Stuff

I'm waiting for some paper before I can start my next commission, so have been making myself useful making some Strawberry and Plum jam and some Mediterranean chutney. Hurry up paper!!

Digby WIP and finished portrait

This is Digby the Black and White Springer. Even though it's a surprise gift my client says it's ok to put on the website as there's no danger of her husband seeing it.

The Huskies were loved by the recipient so that's good news.

My next portrait has to be kept secret until later this year.

Stuff

The Huskies have arrived at their new home safe and well, so I can breathe a sigh of relief now. I'm always happier when I know a portrait has got to a client ok. I had to send the Huskies via courier, which I've never done before so I was doubly anxious. I need'nt have been though.

I've spent a good portion of today working on my next portrait which is a Black and White Springer Spaniel. I can't post any WIP pics until later this week as it's for a birthday surprise.

I'm now going to do a quick hoover round and then take Pip (our Border Collie) to see his Grandma and Grandad (my Mum and Dad) for an hour. Hope you've all had a good day.

Breeze and Chile finished

Well I've finished the Huskies, I've really enjoyed this portrait and I'm really pleased with the finished result. My client is absolutely thrilled with it and has already commissioned another portrait.

Breeze and Chile

I've worked most of Chile's neck fur now. I'm hoping to work on the rest of the portrait tomorrow and hopefully get it finished.

Breeze and Chile

Heres the next update on the Huskies, more later.

Breeze and Chile

The portrait is really taking shape now. I've managed to complete the muzzle and mouth area today. It's taken me ages to do the tongue, teeth and gums. I think I'll leave it alone for today and start again tomorrow.

Breeze and Chile

This is the stage I'm at so far today. I've moved from Breeze to Chile until I've done Chile's mouth area and then I can fill in the small are that's left on Breeze's neck.

Breeze and Chile

I've made quite good progress on the portrait today. The tongue area still needs a bit of a tweak but I'll go back to that at a later date. Tomorrow I hope to finish Breeze and move onto Chile. Having been slightly apprehensive about the portrait due to it's size I'm actually really enjoying doing it. I think, barr Border Collies, (as Sue knows) Huskies are now nearing the top of my list re. preferred subjects. I love the intensity in their eyes. Anyway more tomorrow I need to go and do some housework :-((

Breeze and Chile

Here are the Huskies so far. I'm finding that the pastel mat is working really well for this portrait especially for the flecks in the fur near the ear.

Breeze and Chile

I've had a busy weekend doing the garden but I've managed to fit in doing the Husky portrait outline. This is going to be a very challenging piece......watch this space!!!

Scrappy finished

I've finished Scrappy and Sarah's happy with him. Here are her comments.

'Scrappy, my Pitbull rescue dog from Barbados, broke my heart when he died. I wanted to get his portrait painted but was worried it would look too fluffly and to be honest a bit naff...He was a street dog, a little tough guy, and I somehow thought having his portrait painted would be uncool, maybe something my Aunt would do!! I was worried the finished result would look 'overdone' or unnatural. However I found Jo on the internet and really liked her work. I am so happy with the finished picture, it is cool, it's everything I wanted, he'd love it and so do I.'
Sarah


So Scrappy will be on his way. Next it's two Huskies on a large double portrait. I'll do the outline for that over the weekend and then start to fill in the colour on Monday.

My car has been repaired by the way. It no longer makes a knocking sound! Anyway I'm not sure if I'll have time for blogging over the weekend but I hope everybody has a lovely weekend.

Marley finished

Marley has been approved as finished so she'll be on her way to her new home on Monday.

Scrappy

I've done quite a bit on Scrappy today. I was hoping to finish him but my eyes are aching now so I'll have to leave him until tomorrow. Here are Sarah's comments so far.

'My little boy, gosh I find this so emotional..its like he's in the room with me when I see the picture...'

Scrappy

I've done a bit more on Scrappy's portrait today. I've not heard back from Sarah but hope she is happy with progress.

I've had a bit of a trauma with my car as I've hit a pothole on our road and now it's making a knocking sound, my car that is not the road!! I've booked it in with the nice chappies who have a garage at the end of our street tomorrow and I'm hoping it's nothing serious!!

I've also had to take my friend to the docs at the last minute. I sat in the car for an hour waiting for her, but somebody did ask me for a business card adter seeing my adverts on my car so watch this space.

I was going to cook a meal tonight but have decided we'll have a take-away instead and a glass of wine:-))

Scrappy

I've made a start on my next commission. Scrappy, who unfortunately passed away recently, was a Pittbull cross who Sarah had rescued from the streets of Barbados. She had had him for eight years but I'm not sure how old he was when she rescued him. I'm working on Murano paper size 12x16. I always send updates at various stages so my clients can see the portrait 'grow'. Here are Sarah's comments so far.

Jo,

I just cant get over the likeness, as soon as you start painting him, it is like him, the eye the ear its just so Scrappy...I can't believe the likeness..

Thanks so much

Marley

I emailed Marley to my client as finished. I've had a reply asking for the white on her muzzle to be darkened a bit. The photo that I am working from has a lot of light reflecting and has made her muzzle look lighter than it is.

Stuff

This blogging is very new to me so please be patient. To my very close friends I always entitle emails 'stuff'. It covers everything I want to say so I think I'll do the same with my blog. I'm not very technically minded but I'll try my best.

Marley

This is Marley a labrador cross. Work in progress so far. I'm hoping to finish this portrait tomorrow.