Springer Spaniel WIP

I have returned to this piece after a pre Christmas layoff due to working on commissions, I have reworked parts of the nose and eyes, I have also darkened down the highlights in the ears as I thought there was to much contrast, have to admit all those curls are driving me crazy.....

Gemma

This was a surprise Christmas present for my sister and her family, I started drawing Gemma a Bichon Frise over a year ago when she sadly died, she was always by my sisters side, they were inseparable. So I was determined to do the best job I could, but only had two very poor and unclear photo's which showed very little hair tone and definition of Gemma to work from, that's why around twelve attempts ended up in the the waste bin, I have a problem with white hair on white paper, I cant be the only one! anyway my sister was over the moon as they say and I hope it brings back many happy memories of walking with Gemma on the beach, as they spent hours there together.

Merry Christmas

I would like to wish all my blog followers and every one else out there a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Sam

This is Sam, I drew him a few weeks ago as a suprise Christmas present for our friends Pat and Ian, It was a great relief last night to not have to keep the secret any longer, when we met them for our christmas meal, and presents were exchanged. I hope Sam likes his portrait as much as they seemed too. Merry Christmas Pat, Ian and Sam...

Doodles Finished

After approx 50 hours Doodles is finished, once my client as approved everything all that is left to do is to sign, mount and frame the drawing, size is approx 11 x 8 inches, drawn on mellotex super white paper. Thants all my Christmas commissions completed bang on time.... pass me the mince pies and sherry....

Doodles wip

I'm sorry for a lack of postings, but this is down to the fact the my computer has gone to the doctors to be repaired, so my son has allowed me 5 mins on his to post an update on Doodles, I hope to have this finished by Tuesday, mounted framed and delivered by Wednesday, and I hope most of all to have a happy client! as you can see I've started on the rider which was my biggest concern, as this is a gift for the riders Grandmother so it has to look like her..... oh well lots to do Christmas is coming...

Mirabelle Completed

This is the first of two commissions ordered by this client, this one shows Mirabelle, drawn as always on super white Mellotex paper, size is approx 11x8 on A3 paper, drawing time around 45 hours. Now onto the second horse Doodles which will be the same size but showing the rider as well..

Tara and Pepsi Completed

Apart from signing it and a little tweeking that I may do tomorrow, this first commission is now finished, paper size is A3 actual drawing size is approx 11 x 8 inches, drawn on super white mellotex paper (which is actually a creamy white), using only 2H,HB, and 2B mechenicle pencils, I also made great use of Blue tac and my putty eraser for the highlights, drawing time approx 45 hours, all that's left to be done is to have it mounted and delivered to the client for her approval.

Tara and Pepsi WIP

As you can see I've commenced work on Pepsi, I'm hoping to have this completed by the weekend, mounted and delivered to the client sometime next week, all as promised.

Tara Completed

Tara the first of two sister Poodles is now finished, apart from the normal tweaking I will do after a couple of days, Its now onto Pepsi her sister, who will sit along side her, I will post updates as she develops.

WIP 3

Worked on this for a few hours today after a weekend lay off, I hope to have most of this poodle finished by tomorrow, then its on to her sister...

Poodle Commission WIP 2

As I'm away in London over the weekend I will be unable to continue working on this commission until Monday, so I thought I post were I'm up to after a few more hours, still a long way to go.... but it's starting to take shape

Poodle Commission WIP

I've had to put the Spaniel drawing to one side whilst I work on the first of two commissions I've received, both have to be completed by Xmas 18th Dec to be exact, The first is a head study of two Poodles, the owner has given me permission to show WIP updates on my blog, This is where I am after the first few hours, all comments welcome.

Spaniel WIP Cont'd

Due to other work commitments work hasn't progressed very far with this drawing, though I hope to have it completed within the next couple of days.

Spaniel WIP Cont'd

Note to self!! ''always draw from reference material which shows dog with mouth closed'' A little more work completed today, with hours spent on dogs mouth hence note to self!

Springer Cont'd

Work is progressing slowly but surely, as you can see I'm now onto the area that made me take on this drawing the wavy hair on the ear's, i've soon realised that this cant be rushed, and you have to let it develope as you go along.

New Drawing new challange

I have a new drawing on the board today and a new challenge, I realised that I have as yet never drawn an animal with wavy hair, so searching through my files of dog pics I came up with a Springer Spaniel, before drawing commenced I also pulled out my drawing bible, 'Mike Sibley's Line to Life'' book. I had forgotten that on the front cover is a Spaniel similar to the one I am about to draw, I wanted to make more effort on the eyes and hair texture so spent a couple of hours re-reading the relevant pages. This is where I've got to after a few hours, and will post more as I go along, as always I look forward to any comments.

''Jack'' Completed

Im calling this finished, I think if I play about with this any more I will do more harm than good, its not 100% as I wanted in fact its a long way from there, but for a first attempt at a portrait I'm reasonably happy, iv'e learnt a few things on the way and that makes it all worth while, it will be interesting to hear what Jack has to say himself!... finished size is approx 8 x 7 inches drawn on mellotex off white paper using 2h, hb, and 2b mechanical pencils

''Jack'' WIP Part 3

Just a progress update on this portrait of Jack, hope to have it completed by tomorrow...

''Jack'' Work in Progress Part 2

This is where I'm at after a few more hours work on Jack, still working on the shading to create the form, but its slowly coming together, I suppose the the real test will be Jacks opinion when he view's it.......

''Jack'' Work in Progress

Something new for me, a portrait! Jack is a tattooist and artist, friend of my step son, and of the family, I think he has great character in his face and hope to capture it with this first portrait attempt, Ill post more as I go along.

Pecking Order Completed

Finally finished my latest drawing today, I think as much time was spent getting the grass looking right as was spent on the Rhino, but at least I have it somewhere close to the desired effect, Titles I may use are either ''Pecking Order'' or ''Stepping out'' unless something else is suggested. Drawing size is 16 x 10 inches approx, drawn on Mellotex off white paper which is my favourite as it gives warmer tones to the drawing, time was approx 35 hours. I look forward to recieving any comments and title suggestions.... ( As you can see I've decided to go with Pecking Order)

Do I hate drawing grass!!!

I must have drawn this grass 15 time and just cant get the hang of it, I know how i want it to look but just cant get there.... from now on no more grass in my drawings. if you want to see how grass should look check out Nolon Stacey's blog page...

Almost there

As you can see the face is now taking shape, a few more layers to go to get the definition and form I want to achieve, then its onto the grass which is my biggest fear, I always have probs getting it to look like real grass

Update on WIP

Slowly getting there! progress is slow as I have to apply a number of layers to achieve the desired skin effect, this I am doing section by section before I move on as I dont want to be working on top of completed areas, even though I use a paper hand guard, I Hope to post more tomorrow, all comments welcome.

New Work update

Not a lot of progress over the last few days due to other commitments, but the Rhino is starting to take shape, will post more over the weekend.

New Work Day 2

It looks like little progress has been made, but I know that this drawing is going to take around 50 hours to complete, this is due to the fact that to achieve the correct skin tone on this Rhino, I need to lay day a number of layers using 2h, hb & 2b graphite, and then more layers to achieve the texture and form I require, so progress may be slow but I hope you enjoy seeing it all come together. I have included a close of of the horn which still needs a little work.

New Work on the drawing board

Not a lot to see here yet but this pic gives you some idea of the size, the paper is A2 Mellotex as always, no title as yet but a few floating about in my head, more will be revealed as the drawing progress's

Cheeky Girls Completed

Cheeky Girls completed in approx 20 hours, drawn on Mellotex paper, finished image size is approx 14 x 10. already had this one mounted and its being included in the selection of drawings I'm submitting to the Nottingham Society of Artist, this is in the hope that I will be excepted as an affiliated member.

'The Cheeky Girls' aka 'Mavis and Olive'

Well I didn't get very far working on this drawing at the exhibition, but it was great having so many people interested in the way I work and wanting to talk. So I picked up the pencils again today for a few hours, As you can see I've changed the title a little to The Cheeky Girls aka 'Mavis and Olive' these are the nick names for my wife and sister who are not only sisters in law but also the best of friends, and I suppose could be thought of as a couple of old birds! hope to have it finished by tomorrow. all comments welcome...

First Place....

''Watching you Watching me'' took first place in the 40th Midlands Open Art Exhibition today, this is the first exhibition/competition that I have entered any of my work into, so you could say I have a 100% record. The exhibition was opened by Pollyanna Pickering the international award winning Wildlife Artist, and the prizes were presented by the Mayor of Erewash.

''Mavis and Olive''

I started this work a couple of days ago, when completed it will show head studies of a two Emu's I discovered in someones back garden ( I kid you not) in Jersey last year... The idea for the layout of the drawing and the title came to me immediately, but I've only just got around to putting pencil to paper, as I have managed to secure a work area at a show I'm exhibiting at this weekend I hope to have these very near completion by tomorrow night ( famous last words)...

Sunsets

The first Sunset photograph was taken a few years ago from my bedroom window in France, The other two photo's were taken on the same beach in Jersey, and taken at approx the same time of the year but one year apart, these are all straight shots, no filters etc. Just thought I would share them with you. just wish I could paint them!!!

Off to the Exhibition

On the 12th and 13th of September the 40th Annual ''Art of the Midlands'' Open Art Competition and Exhibition, will be held in the Town Hall in Long Eaton. I have entered the 5 pieces shown here, this will be the first time I have publicly shown my work, there are awards given in many categories including one for The peoples choice, open to all visitors. I have a chance in at least 5 of these, though I am more interested in peoples reaction and comments on my work, so I know where I need to take it in the future. I will be hanging around the exhibition for most of the Saturday and Sunday the winners are announced at 3pm on Saturday, it would be great to see any friends and family that can find the time to pop in and see over 300 works of art on display.

''Watching You, Watching Me''

I was unhappy with the way the Wildebeest drawing was going, so I set it aside and started on this drawing of a Snow Leopard last Friday, I had to have it finished by the time I return home next Tuesday as I want to enter it into an exhibition on the 10th September, and it needs to be mounted and framed by then, the photograph as come out more contrasty that the actual drawing so I will try again when I return home, the image size is 15 x 11 inches approx, drawn on Mellotex paper, drawing time approx 60 hours, now back to the Wildebeest.....

New WIP

I have been working on this piece for the last few days, when completed it should show a herd of Wildebeest jumping into a crocodile infested river whilst migrating, Im not 100% happy with this and have almost scrapped it a few times, but so far its managed to stay on the drawing board, finished size will be around 16 x 8 inches, drawn on Mellotex paper. I am away on holiday for the next two weeks but will try to post any updates as Im taking my drawing with me...

''In His Fathers Footsteps'' completed

After 65 hours I'm calling this finished, that's not to say I might not tweek it when I look at again, I have reduced the grass and rocks down even more, to stop them distracting the eye, and have lightly drawn in the sky again only enough to complete the drawing and not enough to dominate over the Lions. The finished image is 13x21 inches drawn on mellotex off white paper, let me know what you think.
I have had another look at this piece and I decided to add the foot prints, let me know if you think it was the right thing to do!

WIP7

After reading comments made by a couple of artist friend on another forum site, I went and had another look at this piece and I agree with what they both said that the grass was to distracting, so I've thinned it out, and I've also removed the broken branch from the tree on the right and a few bushes, I have also tried to add more tone to the cub and large lion mainly in the shadow areas, let me know what you think... I don't think the sandy ground shows up to well on the pic but it is there, once finished I have to start on the sky!! something new for me... so far almost 60 hours of drawing time on this piece I'll be pleased to see it finished

wip 7

As you can see I have been working on the BG to the right of the main Lion, and introducing the shadow, the Sun is high but to the left of the lion so not shining to much on his side more on the top of his back, do you think this shadow looks correct? I must have re-drawn it 10 times already I have even made a blue tac model and then shone a light on it to give me the idea of how it should look....

Blog Award

I have just been awarded a blog award from an American Artist friend of mine Teresa, many thanks Teresa. I have to list seven things you may not know about me, so here goes.

1. I only started drawing again around 2 years ago.

2. I have Osteoarthritis in my hands and knees ( bit of a bummer when you want to draw)

3. I have almost completed my Driving Instuctors course which has taken 6 months.

4. I have 3 sisters ( all younger than me )

5. I have 3 Sons, 1 step son, 1 step Daughter.

6. My fav group of all time is Pink Floyd

7. I wish I had taken up art again many years ago