Young sisters and brother portrait painting.

Sisters & Brother -  11x14 oil on canvas - by Bee Skelton  

It really is too long since I updated the blog and even longer since I posted a sequence of 'work in progress' images for a portrait.  Today I decided to do something about it.

Email me for more information about any of my work.

Animal Art Charity

Probably for the first time, I've found how positive and useful Twitter can be. Through @PeterEgan6 the British actor, who is passionate about animals, particularly dogs, I got to hear about http://www.ourfriendsdogrescue.org.uk/ 

Please take a look at their website and you'll see how URGENTLY they need our help!

Unless enough monies can be raised to secure new land for the shelter, in a matter of days the possibility exists the dog catchers will move in to remove over 300 dogs, and take them to the killing pound, where they will be starved to death without food or water ... possibly much worse.

Please do what you can to help by donating;  spread the word by mentioning them on Facebook and Twitter;  tell your friends and email contacts.


Here's something else you can do:  If you've ever thought of commissioning a custom portrait painting of your own much loved pet, now's your chance to do just that and help save the lives of over 300 innocent animals.  Today I created an Animal Charity Art section in my Etsy shop and added a listing for Our Friends Dog Rescue.  Every penny/cent, 100% will be donated to the charity. 

My thanks to PeterEgan who has already Re-Tweeted my Our Friends Dog Rescue portrait painting charity information.

Reclining figure portrait - oil painting

Woman Resting

Oil painting on canvas

18 x 26 inches

I had intended to make working drawings from direct observation for this painting.  However my model and I had plans for a very yummy lunch in Limassol Old Town, so time was pressing and I took several photos instead.  Back in the studio I then made a drawing with colour/tonal notes to work out the composition and used the photos as reference when making the painting.

Oil painting - Artist and Model.

Artist and Model

oil painting 14 x 22 inches

I began this painting by making a quick compositional sketch looking at myself and my model through a large mirror.  Knowing my model has limited time available to pose, I also made tone and colour notes and tried to get as far as a could with the painting using just those alone as reference.  I used direct observation to paint myself by looking through the mirror.  Eventually I grabbed my model long enough to take a photo of him in position, and then completed the painting using that, taking care to combine the two figures harmoniously, whilst demonstrating that one figure is in the foreground and one at some distance.  It was an interesting challenge, as you might suspect from my anxious squinty expression on my face LOL!

 

Oil painting - Figure sitting at a table

 

Oil painting 16 x 20 inches

 

I normally make paintings of people using photographs as the inspiration.  Todays painting is a first for me, as I began by making working drawings by direct observation of the subject.  I also made detailed tonal and colour notes and then made the painting by referring only to the drawing and colour notes.

It's a pity that most of the people who commission paintings from me live so far away, as I would love to work more directly in this way.

Brothers and Best Friends - portrait painting - work in progress 3

In this session I roughly blocked in a background with shadows of the boys in the foreground.  The actual photo image I have of them is an indoor shot.  But I decided that a view of the River Thames near to where they live, would make a better painting.

During the next session, I'll begin to lay in tones to the figures.

Brothers and Best Friends - portrait painting - work in progress 2

I wasn't happy with the first drawing I did for this portrait last week, so I've prepared a larger canvas and started again.  This is much better I think.  The scale of the lower half of little Max is more correct, plus I wanted to include both boys full length.

I will show progress as I begin to paint in the next session.

Brothers and Best Friends - portrait painting - work in progress 1

I've been wanting to make this painting for months, but there never seemed enough time available to work it from start to finish.  So I've decided to do it over a period of time, in between other projects.  It could well take some considerable time, but it will be worth it in the end.  In the meantime, I shall post 'work in progress' images on the blog as it moves along.

These adorable little boys are our grandsons, so you can imagine how much this painting matters.

New portrait painting of Carlotta Valdes

A big thank you to my client for re-introducing me to the Alfred Hitchcock film, Vertigo and for commissioning this new portrait of Carlotta.  Never in a million years would I have otherwise thought of making this painting.  But it's been fascinating and I'm glad I did it!

Here are clips of all the work-in-progress stages on this painting:

Portrait of Carlotta Valdes ACEO

I'm completing outstanding portrait commissions and was reminded that I hadn't shown the final version of Carlotta, so here she is.  If you'd like to see 'work in progress' images of this small ACEO size portrait you're welcome to take a look HERE.

I've now been asked to paint a large portrait of Carlotta Valdes on canvas.  The client has very kindly sent me a DVD of the Vertigo film, which I've been studying. The portrait featured in the film is extremely haunting and I have to say I'm becoming a fan of the the piece in general.  Alfred Hitchcock must have been both a genius and a complicated man.

Portrait of The Portrait of Carlotta

One of the reasons I love my work so much, is that I'm never quite sure what I'll be painting next and the current project is definitely different from the norm.  

A very nice client has sprung a really unusual commission on me;  it's the first time I've been asked to paint a portrait inspired by another portrait.  Not only that, the subject is not a real person, but a character from a film;  Vertigo a 1950s film starring James Stewart alongside Kim Novak and directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

 Here is a loose painted sketch I've made to begin the process.  It's going to be a tiny piece, ACEO size 2.5 x 3.5 inches.  I'm working in acrylics on thick mount board.  Eventually I hope to add as much detail as possible, given the obvious size constraints and will update the blog with a number of 'work in progress' images as it takes shape.  Should be fun :)  

 Update:  Work in progress image 2.

 Image 2 shows progress after more layers have been added to the background.  Also I've begun work on the dress, which will be very interesting to paint and eventually I'd like to achieve the effect of shot-silk brocade fabric if possible.  A long way to go.

I've left the face, bouquet and jewellery almost untouched, as I'm leaving those elements almost to the last.  They will be such fun to paint and I like to give myself a final special treat.

 Update:  Work in progress image 3.

During this session I tried to develop the appearance of lace around the neckline with a hint of gold, and added highlights and texture to the fabric, with pretty pink roses surrounded by white lace in the bouquet.

I am looking forward to adding detail to the face and jewelry during the next session.

 Update:  Work in progress image 4.


Carlotta now has a face.

The final version of this painting can be seen HERE.

German Shepherd and Jack Russell pet portrait commission

The German Shepherd and Jack Russell pet portrait is now finished. I'm just about to add 3 layers of varnish ready for the client to give as a birthday present later this week.

If you would like to view the painting process stage by stage, you can see it by clicking HERE.

Information on how to commission your own painting.

German Shepherd and Jack Russell custom portrait painting

This pet portrait has been commissioned as a birthday present for the joint owner. Several seperate photos have been supplied by email and I have printed them out and selected the ones I feel will work best if I group the 'chums' as if sitting together. The German Shepherd has a wonderful noble demeaner and the Jack Russell appears to be laughing.


I'm using a 10x12 inch stretched canvas and began by making a drawing in pencil. If you would like to see progress of this painting, you're welcome to come back and take another look as work progresses over the next few days.


In session 2 I began by loosely adding a light wash to both animals. I then roughly blocked in a background. The colour of the background, as with everything else, will evolve as the painting progresses.


Session 3: Beginning to add more layers. Long way to go.

Session 4: More layers added and starting to gradually build up colour depth and detail.


Session 5: Worked on the German Shepherd and background, adding depth and shadows. In case you're wondering about the spooky 'blank' eyes..... painting eyes is my favourite part of a portrait project and I like to leave them as a treat for myself as long as possible. I feel it's time for the eyes will get some attention during the next session.

Session 6: More layers ... and today we have eyes!


Session 7: Worked on adding detail and texture to the German Shepherd. Lots of work to do on the little Jack Russell next time.


Session 8: Added shading and texture to the Jack Russell and cleaned up her profile. More detail on the German Shepherd also, softening some of the fur texture and adding detail overall. Before I go any further, now is a good time to get feedback from the client, so that any amendments can be made before fine detail added.


Session 9: Lots of progress and changes on the Jack Russell. In consultation with the client it was agreed to bring the ears forward and she does look so much better as a result. More layers and refining.

FAMILY PORTRAIT PAINTING

At the beginning of this commission, the client presented me with a pretty poor quality image; the face of the little boy on the left was almost completely obscured by the book, there was distortion in the eyes caused by flash photography and overall the image was blurry. But inspite of all that, I was instantly captivated by the idea of painting this grandfather reading to his little grandsons. What a lovely image of love and shared experience between the generations!

With the aid of additional separate photos of the subjects sent to me by the client, I was slowly able to piece together the visual information I needed to make the desired composition. I am so glad that together we persevered and created a unique keepsake for this special family to enjoy for generations to come.

COMMISSION A PORTRAIT FROM YOUR OWN PHOTO

Hope you all had a great summer.

After a long summer of special projects, travelling and family visits, I'm now back in the studio and accepting commissions for custom paintings from your photos as usual.

HOW TO COMMISSION A PAINTING

Firstly I invite you to a FREE consultation with me without any obligation.  You are welcome to email me sending photos of your loved-ones, favourite landscapes, family and even your house, for me to assess, advise and discuss the picture you would like me to paint in line with your budget. 

Personal contact between client and myself is a vital part of my process, because I like to learn as much as possible about the subjects I paint. 

Contact is on-going as you will find work-in-progress images popping into your inbox regularly, so you are always aware of how your commission is developing and can offer feedback. Your painting becomes a personal collaboration between you and the artist, myself Bee Skelton. And your painting will only be shipped to you when it has received your full approval. 

I use artist quality oils or acrylic paints.  Both are fabulous, but you need to know that they have different characteristics. Acrylic paint dries almost immediately, whereas oil paint takes much longer and time needs to be allowed after a painting is completed for it to dry before safe to ship. Therefore if you need your painting very quickly, please let me know and I may recommend using acrylics.

I work on high quality primed stretched canvases. The painting will continue on the sides of the canvas so the portrait can be displayed with or without frame as you wish.  (If requested, board and loose canvas options are also available). Your painting will be signed BEE on the front and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the artist, myself Bee Skelton.


As an artist I'm inspired by the affection my clients have for the subjects they commission me to paint. Whether it's their child, partner, parent, family pet, home or a favourite place, I find love infectious and some how it gets right into the paint.

Take a look at just some of the paintings I have already painted for happy clients. Then email me and let's talk.

I will paint a subject of your choosing; children, grandchild, wife, husband, mother, father, grandparents, any animal or pet, your house or a favourite landscape. The choice is yours. All I need are good photographs to work from.  I accept Paypal as it's a proven safe way to send money online. 

I work to your exact requirements of size and budget.  Commissioning a custom painting costs less than you might think and I think you will be surprised how well what you want can be made to fit your budget. Your satisfaction is guaranteed, because in the very unlikely event that you are not completely thrilled with my work (so far all my clients have been delighted) I will keep the painting to add to my portfolio and happily give you a full refund.

At the start you pay only 50% of the total price and the final 50% balance on completion only after you have seen quality images and given your full approval. The painting will then be shipped to you FREE of additional charges Worldwide.

When you pay for your order and send me photos, your commission is fixed in sequence with others outstanding at the time, and your portrait will be completed in that order.  If you have a deadline date it is important you let me know as soon as possible and I will move heaven and earth as well as staying up all night to get your painting completed and with you in good time.

Here's what you do:

STEP 1:
Email me photos without obligation for me to assess, advise, and together discuss your requirements. If the painting is needed for a particular date, please let me know as early as possible.

Examples of just some of the sizes available, if you don't see the size you want, please ask:

PAINTINGS ON CANVAS:
3 x 4 in approx (8 x 10 cm)
4 x 5 in approx (10 x 13 cm)
5 x 7 in approx (13 x 18 cm)
6 x 6 in approx (15 x 15 cm)
6 x 8 in approx (15 x 20 cm)
8 x 8 in approx (20 x 20 cm)
8 x 10 in approx (20 x 24 cm)
10 x 12 in approx (24 x 30 cm) 
10 x 14 in approx (24 x 3 5 cm)
12 x 12 in approx (30 x 30 cm)
12 x 16 in approx (30 x 40 cm)
16 x 16 in approx (40 x 40 cm)
16 x 20 in approx (40 x 50 cm)
20 x 20 in approx (50 x 50 cm)
20 x 24 in approx (50 x 60 cm)
24 x 24 in approx (60 x 60 cm)
24 x 30 in approx (60 x 75 cm)
28 x 28 in approx (70 x 70 cm)
30 x 30 in approx (75 x 75 cm)


STEP 2:
After payment, before I begin work, I shall need your final selection of photo images, preferably more than one. For portraits please choose high quality photos that are taken in close-up, have a facial expression you love and typical of the subject, especially with a clear view of the eyes. Shots taken in daylight are best please.  No flash.

For landscapes and outdoor scenes the best photos to work with are often those taken in early morning or late afternoon when shadows are long and colours interestingly varied.

STEP 3:
Details will be discussed with you at every stage but in the main you can sit back and enjoy the work-in-progress images that will drop into your inbox from start to completion of your painting.  Your feedback is always welcomed.

STEP 4:
An image of your finished painting will be emailed to you and your painting will not be shipped to you until it has your full approval. In the unlikely event that you are not completely thrilled (so far all my clients have been delighted) I will keep the painting to add to my portfolio and happily give you a full refund.

SHIPPING and HANDLING
The artwork will be carefully protected and packaged, and sent anywhere in the World FREE of additional charge with Tracking number, signed for on delivery.

LONG-HAIRED DACHSHUND original portrait painting

Long-haired Dachshund

Acrylic on canvas

by Bee Skelton

12 x 12 inch (30 x 30 cms approx)
SOLD

Long-haired Dachshund - portrait painting work in progress 4

Still a ways to go. In the next session I will sort out the background and then I can begin pulling it all together.

Long-haired Dachhund - Portrait painting work in progress 3

Long-haired Dachshund - Portrait painting, work in progress 2.

In this second session, I went a bit further with establishing the tones, but still not far enough. I normally leave eye detail until quite near the end, but I became fascinated with Ambrosius expression and couldn't stop. More warm colour and contrast to be added to his coat etc next time.