Long-haired Dachshund - Portrait Commission. Work in progress 1.

Meet Ambrosius; he's a much loved long-haired Dachshund and his portrait has been commissioned as a gift for a member of his family.

Originally the portrait was to be head and shoulders, but I realised on this 12 x 12in canvas, that without anything else to relate to, the scale gave the impression that Ambrosius was a BIG dog. I really felt the need to show all of him, particularly those characteristic little legs. Fortunately the client agreed.

Apparently, Ambrosious has a 'cheeky' personality, so chose this composition where his face is pushing forward and his body recedes.

Regular visitors will recognise the first stages of the process, where I roughly block in the background and loosely fix what goes where. In the next session I'll begin to add layers as I develop the palette and tonal values. A long way to go.

GRACIE portrait painting Work in Progress 3

SOLD

Gracie has come alive now her eyes are in place.

Now on way to Gracie's owner in Kansas City, USA. Click here to see completed painting at Studio Bee Gallery.

GRACIE portrait painting Work in Progress 2

Today I began introducing some warm tones into Gracie the Boxer's coat. Whilst from her photo she appears to be white, I want to show some subtle shading which will become more refined as the portrait progresses. I just love painting the wrinkles and jowels .... isn't she gorgeous! A looong way to go. And definitely the background will change ... I'm now thinking something quite dark and dramatic. More progress tomorrow :)

GRACIE portrait painting Work in Progress 1

As usual with a first Work in Progress image, all you can see is the rough blocking in of a background and loose brush strokes, just to fix what goes where.

In the next session I'll begin to build up the many layers of detail and what will need to be very subtle colouring as Gracie, I think she's a Boxer, is mostly white. The background too will go through many changes before completion. Regular visitors will notice this is one of my less scary initial background colours ... I felt Gracie's noble demeanor needed something a little serious ... just for now at any rate :)

LITTLE ANGEL commission portrait on canvas

Here is Little Angel finished and ready to go to his Mum. I feel it was worth the struggle and am as happy with it as I can be ... having had to use my imagination and improvise more than I would normally like to on a portrait. Only his Mum will know how true it is and I hope she is pleased when she sees it properly for the first time.

LITTLE ANGEL work in progress 3

Today everything was re-worked apart from the background, which I'll get to eventually. I tried really hard to read his eye expression, but don't know how much was real and how much I've imagined. I'll continue to invent a light coloured top in the next session and increase shadows on one side ... too flat just now. Even when I've taken this as far as I think I can, only 'Little Angel's' Mum will know if it's far enough.

I am struggling with this ... not coming easily at all. A mixture of reasons ...limited information from the black and white image plus I'm wrecked knowing this little sweetheart is with the angels.

Lots to do before I reach any kind of a breakthrough. I will work on the mouth particularly during the next session plus everywhere else. More prayer needed ... I can't do this on my own.

I feel this portrait will probably be one of the trickiest I've attempted so far. Not just technically but emotionally also. It's so important to this little boy's Mum ... I just hope I can do it.

I'm working from a tiny blurry black and white photo taken over 30 years ago. I've scanned the photo and enlarged it to try to pick out what information I can and any further inspiration will come through prayer. As normal I've started off by loosely laying down some values to fix what goes where. The details around the lower lip are difficult to interpret so I'm waiting to hear back from Mum with some information.

After this portrait I feel the stirrings of needing a change. Hmmm .... it's that time of year when I get the yen to paint outdoors and if the breeze calms a little, I plan to head for the sea.

CYPRUS POODLE portrait

I painted this little poppet yesterday. She's called 'Honey' and came to stay while her Mum was away. It's on stretched canvas and may be the last acrylic I will use for a little while.

I'm looking forward to trying some of the quick drying Winsor & Newton Griffin Alkyd oil paints and this morning I'm picking up a stack of cut-to-size masonite hardboard to work some still lifes. I love the smooth surface and chunkiness of the MDF I've been using recently. But many of my paintings get shipped abroad and the weight of it sadly bumps up the shipping costs :(

Portrait commission BEAUTIFUL SMILE work in progress 5

Managed to have a good solid session on this today and at last I feel I'm getting there. Time to get comments from client before making final adjustments and amendments.
Completed painting can be seen in Studio Bee Gallery.

Portrait commission BEAUTIFUL SMILE work in progress 4

This session I adjusted the shape of the face, amended some skin tones/shadows and added more eye and lip detail. Next session I will adjust the shape of the top lip and nose.

Portrait commission BEAUTIFUL SMILE work in progress 3

Portrait commission BEAUTIFUL SMILE work in progress 2

Just a little more loosely placed light and shade to add, and then I shall start the detailed work. Several layers of glazing, refining, adjusting and amending as I go, until in the end, all being well, a likeness should appear.

Commissioned portrait BEAUTIFUL SMILE work in progress 1

The very early stage of a new portrait. I fixed where everything goes with pencil and laid down a few tonal values. My people paintings are normally on rectangular portrait orientated canvases, but the shape of this little girl's head with hair seemed to lend itself to a square shape. The client, who is the little girl's Granny gave me the freedom to decide ... so 12 x 12 in is how it will be.

Commissioned Portrait painting TWO DOGS Final Version

ALLEY & CHIP

25cm x 35 cm

(10in x 14in approx)

Acrylic painting on canvas.

SOLD

Commissioned Portrait TWO DOGS Work in Progress 3

Hmmm ... not sure whether the tail will stay or not.

Commissioned Portrait TWO DOGS Work in Progress 2

Today I worked mainly on Chip the choccie lab. I wish I'd had time to fix his top lips before the light went. He looks very weird at this stage. But atleast I know what the first thing I'll be doing in the morning. Will try to keep my hands off it tonight as I don't work well in artificial light ..... but those jowels are irritating the hell out of me!

Portrait Commission TWO DOGS Work in Progress 1

First stage of a new double portrait. The pale dog appears to have such a sad expression ... he even has worry wrinkles.

Commissioned Portrait MARY & LAMB final version

MARY & HER LAMB

10in x 14 in (approx)

(25cm x 35cm)

SOLD

All finished and approved, ready to fly to Mary's Mum down in Mississippi. And yes, the little girl really is called Mary :)

COMMISSIONED PORTRAIT FROM PHOTO Mary & her Lamb Work in Progress 4.

Getting there. A few amendments and fixes next time.