Thursday, July 15, 2010

Beginings of a dog portrait





I've decided to use pastel pencils on sandpaper for my portrait of Shayli. I've been wanting to try out a new paper I purchased last winter called UArt pastel sandpaper, 800 grit. So far so good but I'm finding myself forever sharpening my pencils to keep a fine point!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Northern Times Newspaper Article

A newspaper editor from my home town of Kapuskasing has published an article about my Pentagon commission piece. To read click the following link:

http://www.kapuskasingtimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2668322

Next pet portait-my dog Shayli!



Being a pet portraitist, you can't believe how many times I've been asked if I had a painting or drawing of my own dog. I'd shamely answer a mumbled "no", blaming the fact that I'm busy doing portraits of other people's pets and don't have much time for my own compositions. I actually felt like the shoemaker who walks bare feet!

Another reason for my procrastination was trying to choose which reference photograph of my dog to use since there are so many I like. So I thought to myself, why not have more than one? The photograph above will be used as my first attempt at Shayli's portrait. I haven't decided what medium to use yet, perhaps pastel on sandpaper or colored pencil on drafting film...

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Horse Graphite Drawing: "The Three Amigos"

approx. 8"x10", graphite on Fabriano paper

I'm still debating whether to call this one done or not. You might notice the light area reflecting off the horse's coat (left) keeps pulling your eye there...it seems the scanner picked up some reflection in that area, making it appear lighter than it actually is.

I'll hang this drawing somewhere where I can keep looking it at different angles and even try visualizing it's reflection in a mirror. The mirror trick always seems to fool my brain and helps me point out distracting areas on a piece more easily.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Horse hooves and grass...


Well it seems I've been motivated enough through this summer heat to work through this drawing some more. With only the hooves and grass left to fill in, I'm very excited to complete this piece!
What attracted me to draw this horse scene was not only the composition but the range of values and sharp contrast on the horses' coats from the light of the late-day sun.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Horse Drawing Update


During this sitting I was able to start working on the last of the three horses. I like to save images of works in progress as it is always interesting to see how a drawing progresses and seemingly appears to come to life on the paper.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

La Cloche Juried Art Show 2010



I was at the Opening Reception ceremony last night at Whitefish Falls, Ont. for the 33rd Annual La Cloche Mountains Juried Art Show. This is my first time entering the show and I was very pleased to have had all three of my submissions entered into the show. Shown above with my entry of Daisy, entitled "Her Soft Gaze" I was very thrilled to have received an Honorable Mention Award for the pastel category!! My other entries included a colored pencil piece of a cat entitled "The Gazer" and a pastel piece of a male peacock entitled "Jewel of India".


http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/paint1description/Peacock_pastel_painting.php

The La Cloche Art Show can be viewed at the Whitefish Falls Community Centre (Main St. beside the fire hall), Whitefish Falls, Ontario from July 3rd through July 11th 2010, 12-6pm daily (closes 5pm on July 11).
To view a list of winning entries and artists from the Sudbury Art Club, visit http://sudburyartclub.blogspot.com/2010/07/sudbury-art-club-members-at-la-cloche.html