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 FROM PHOTO Mary & her Lamb Work in Progress 4.

Getting there. A few amendments and fixes next time.

COMMISSIONED PORTRAIT FROM PHOTO Mary & Lamb Work in Progress 3

For some reason I've worked this portrait differently to how I normally do. Usually I work all areas equally, going over and over adding layers and details and amending as I go along. For whatever reason I felt I had to get the baby's face quite well developed before even putting in initial tones on the garment and ribbon.

COMMISSIONED PORTRAIT FROM PHOTO Mary & Lamb Work in Progress 2

I hated to leave 'baby Mary' looking so unlike herself ... but the light was going and I had to stop. Lots to do.

MARY & HER LAMB - Work in Progress 1

Today's work in progress.

The composition of this portrait came about in a round about way,
and goes to show that it's worth pursuing the merest spark of an idea. It began when a client loved the way her baby was touching the sheep's face in this photo. Sadly there was rather more of the sheep than her daughter, but as it turned out, there was another photo of baby on her own, which was much better. The client accepted my suggestion to 'invent' a lamb, in order to go with her original idea ... and we were in business :)

Clock Watching - Work in Progress 1

I thought I'd give the old alarm clock a last hoorah in a still life. Being smoothly metal it holds lots of lovely reflections that will be fascinating to play with.

Earlier this week I had some 3/4inch MDF cut into small panels. This one is 6" x 6" and had 4 coats of gesso before I began to paint. It has a very satisfying smooth surface and feels really great to work with.

Girl with Lace Collar - Work in Progress 3

Today I worked on the collar, hair and fiddled again with the lips and nose. Next session I'll paint the hair clips, make further adjustments to the hair and tweak the background.

Final version can be seen on my other Blog.

Back to work!

It was such a relief to get back to work today.

I worked on getting a better expression in the eyes and mouth particularly, which even so are still not to my satisfaction yet. Need to nail those before I move on to detailing all that beautiful glossy hair and pretty lace collar.

GIRL WITH LACE COLLAR - Work in Progress 1.

I got quite a way on with this before remembering to take a pic.

It needs lots of adjustments and detail.

The mouth and nose aren't correct yet, nor is the neck shading.

This little girl has very glossy dark hair, and I'm looking forward to finding a way to show it.

Her lace collar will be fun to do, and as always I shall leave the eyes till last ... coz I just love doing eyes.

Beautiful Boy - Work in Progress 3

More layers added to every area.

Ready for final adjustments and detail.

Final version can be seen on my other Blog.

Beautiful Boy - Work in Progress 2

In this session I did more work on the background and developed some of the hair and skin tones a little further. Lots to do, but ran out of daylight.

Beautiful Boy - Work in Progress !

Session one on this portrait, where I have roughly fixed what goes where. Another scary background .... but I just love red and green. No doubt it will get modified many times before completion.

Bella Work in Progress 4

Nearly finished.

See completed version on my other blog.

Bella Work in Progress 3

Lots to do.

Bella Work in Progress 2

Long long way to go yet.

Baby Bella Portrait - Work in Progress 1

When I paint commission portraits I'm in the habit of emailing 'work in progress' images to the client at each stage, accompanied by an appropriate message.

This image shows the very first stage of little Bella's painting, where I've loosely washed in what goes where, just to get things started. It also qualifies for a 'please don't panic' message for Mum :) Scary yuck coloured backgrounds and 'dead' eyes are normal at this stage, but she most likely doesn't know that ;)

Dolls' House 1/12 Scale Miniature Portrait

One of two commissions from a dolls' house enthusiast. Size 40mm x 50mm

Still a work in progress I think. Trying to decide how much detail to add to the hair.

Ooops!

These tiny 1/12 scale miniature dolls' house portraits are on hold whilst I go to town and get fixed up with new specs.

Lesson 1: When by the pool having sundowners with friends, remember to open the terrace door before going through it.

Lesson 2: Ration the Chardonnay ;)

Mutley & Joxer Work in Progress 2

Need to add more detail and make a few adjustments. One more session to completion I think.