ORION

My friends were kind enough to give me some pictures of their three dogs.  Most of the pictures are difficult to use as reference photos so I've asked for more.  But this one of Orion was a great place to start.  This has been my tv project for the last week, was traveling for most of it so this is only a couple of hours into the picture.  I took this with inside lighting instead of outside, so it kind of has a funny tint that isn't there in reality.
The nice thing about posting these pictures while in process is that it allows you to see it in a different way or angle I guess.  I notice now I need to rework the right side of the nose and muzzle as it needs more room than I've given it, good thing I see it now as once I put in the darker lead work I wouldn't have been able to erase it without leaving a shadow.
I showed it to David yesterday and he recognized Orion which made me happy as I hoped I caught his spirit.  Stephanee, his wife, still needs to see the picture and hopefully approve as well.
No I haven't forgotten my bull dog, he just has to be worked in my art space as I need lots of room to lay out my "junk" and with the pastel it can be kind of messy - I still have a lot to go on him and will post an update tomorrow.

Comments

Log Cabin Studio said…
This is looking great.What a sweet looking dog.
February 11, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Alexander said…
If you continue to draw like that you are going to be swamped with dog photos.
February 11, 2012 at 12:31 PM
renate said…
Nelvia, time after time you amaze me with your dog paintings. What a talent you've got! Don't you want to make money with it? I think if you go to a dogshow and show your paintings/drawings you will got a lot of requests! It's just an idea. The dog you are doing now is even more cute than on the photo. I love your drawings!
Your greatest fan!!
February 11, 2012 at 4:05 PM
SYLVIANE said…
Sure, you are a specialise about dogs portraits, Nelvia, which are very good!
Thank you for your comment on Padt.
February 12, 2012 at 4:16 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In The Garden acrylic painting Redo

Image
In The Garden Original painting Well, thankfully I have some folks who tell me what they think.  I value their objective opinions very much and appreciate that they feel strongly enough to tell me when they feel something is off.  In the original painting no one liked the addition of the yellow flower, and felt it pulled the eye and overshadowed the focal point.   Well, I sat on it a bit and starting playing with how I could work it back into the composition.  I wanted the third flower, but I couldn't just really dull down the yellow.  As you an see I ended up making it darker in shadows and then burying it into the foliage.  I like it better because it now looks, to me, like it is part of the picture instead of just being put on in the corner.  Moral of the story, fix it first because it is hard to come in and match colors later. What do you think of the changes - for better or worse? Thanks much for stopping by and taking a look.
Read more

Her Highness mixed media woman portrait

Image
Her Highness   I just absolutely loved the expression on this lady and knew I wanted to try to capture her elegance and serenity.  I knew that I didn't want an exact portrait and decided to try another mixed media piece.    I added blobs of paint and used my large scraper to make the areas of color.  Just put paint on a piece of watercolor paper.  Then I inscribed and mixed the colors together with the end of my brush and got all the wavy lines (in real life they actually stand up so there is a 3D effect to the background).  Where I thought I wanted the face I really scraped most of the paint off, and ended up with color blotches and tones, and if you look in the forehead you can sort of see the design that was left.  I thought it would add some variance to the skin tones. I also want to keep her very soft so I tried to stay in the pastel tones, even with the lips.   Once I got shadows and lights added in, and went over it with some skin tone and more blue colors I let
Read more

Magnolia Blossom acrylic portrait magnolia flowers

Image
Magnolia Blossoms Acrylic 11"x14" “Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you're willing to practice, you can do.”   - Bob Ross I thought this was a wonderful quote.  I don't know if it has happened to you, but people say, oh you are so talented.  Not true, couldn't be farther from the truth, although I am sure there are many artists who do possess that something extra, something special.  But for the most part for the rest of us, it is just a matter of studying,  learning your  tools and materials, practicing, and then start to trust your inner self.  I am on a journey to try to find my voice.  Not that I am a late bloomer, but I should have already found it, yes?  I guess what I am really looking for is the way I wish and want to paint.   Not necessarily how I have been doing it. I am pleased with this piece.  Many thanks to Sanne who put this wonderful reference piece up at PMP.  Personally I think Magnolias are just wonderful flowers.  They hav
Read more